Nun נוּן
Father of Joshua
Who is Nun in the Bible?
Nun was an Israelite from the tribe of Ephraim and the father of Joshua, one of the most important figures in biblical history. His son Joshua served as Moses' assistant from his youth (Numbers 11:28) and was chosen by God to succeed Moses as leader of Israel (Numbers 27:18; Deuteronomy 31:23). Joshua is consistently referred to throughout Scripture as "Joshua the son of Nun" (Numbers 14:6, 30; Joshua 1:1), a designation that emphasizes the importance of family lineage and faithfulness passed down through generations. Though Nun himself is not a major character with independent actions recorded in Scripture, his legacy endures as the father of the man who led Israel into the Promised Land and served as a model of obedience and courage in faith.
Biography
Nun was an Israelite from the tribe of Ephraim, best known as the father of Joshua (Exo.33.11). His son Joshua was Moses' assistant from his youth (Num.11.28) and was chosen by God to succeed Moses as the leader of Israel (Num.27.18; Deu.31.23). Nun's name is often mentioned in connection with Joshua, emphasizing the importance of family lineage and the faithfulness passed down through generations. Joshua is referred to as "Joshua the son of Nun" throughout the Bible (e.g., Num.14.6, 30; Jos.1.1; 2.1). As the father of a prominent leader, Nun's legacy was remembered long after his lifetime (1Ki.16.34; Neh.8.17).
Family
In Scripture
8 biblical books ; 4 with study contentExodus 1 verse
- Exodus 33:11
"Thus the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young assistant Joshua son of Nun would not leave the tent."
Study Exodus →
Numbers 5 verses
- Numbers 11:28
"Joshua son of Nun, the attendant to Moses since youth, spoke up and said, “Moses, my lord, stop them!”"
- Numbers 13:8
"from the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea son of Nun;"
- Numbers 13:16
"These were the names of the men Moses sent to spy out the land; and Moses gave to Hoshea son of Nun the name Joshua."
- Numbers 14:6
"Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes"
- Numbers 14:30
"Surely none of you will enter the land in which I swore to settle you, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun."
Deuteronomy 4 verses
- Deuteronomy 1:38
"Joshua son of Nun, who stands before you, will enter it. Encourage him, for he will enable Israel to inherit the land."
Study Deuteronomy → - Deuteronomy 31:23
"Then the LORD commissioned Joshua son of Nun and said, “Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land that I swore to give them, and I will be with you.”"
Study Deuteronomy → - Deuteronomy 32:44
"Then Moses came with Joshua son of Nun and recited all the words of this song in the hearing of the people."
Study Deuteronomy → - Deuteronomy 34:9
"Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites obeyed him and did as the LORD had commanded Moses."
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Joshua 5 verses
- Joshua 1:1
"Now after the death of His servant Moses, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying,"
Study Joshua → - Joshua 2:1
"Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim, saying, “Go, inspect the land, especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there."
Study Joshua → - Joshua 2:23
"Then the two men started back, came down from the hill country, and crossed the river. So they came to Joshua son of Nun and reported all that had happened to them."
Study Joshua → - Joshua 6:6
"So Joshua son of Nun summoned the priests and said, “Take up the ark of the covenant and have seven priests carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark of the LORD.”"
Study Joshua → - Joshua 14:1
"Now these are the portions that the Israelites inherited in the land of Canaan, as distributed by Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of the families of the tribes of Israel."
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Judges 1 verse
- Judges 2:8
"And Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died at the age of 110."
1 Kings 1 verse
- 1 Kings 16:34
"In Ahab’s days, Hiel the Bethelite rebuilt Jericho. At the cost of Abiram his firstborn he laid its foundation, and at the cost of Segub his youngest he set up its gates, according to the word that the LORD had spoken through Joshua son of Nun."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | נוּן | Nun or Non , the father of Joshua |