Shaphat שָׁפָט
Spy from the tribe of Simeon
Who is Shaphat in the Bible?
Shaphat, the son of Hori, was one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to scout the land of Canaan, representing the tribe of Simeon (Numbers 13:5). Chosen alongside representatives from each of the other Israelite tribes, Shaphat spent forty days exploring the promised land to assess its inhabitants, cities, and resources. Unlike Caleb and Joshua, who returned with faith-filled reports encouraging the people to trust God's promise, the biblical text provides no specific details about Shaphat's individual perspective or role during the mission. His inclusion in this significant expedition demonstrates the importance of his tribe's representation in one of the Old Testament's most pivotal moments of testing Israel's faith and obedience to God.
Biography
Shaphat, mentioned in Num.13.5, was one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan. He was the son of Hori and represented the tribe of Simeon. The twelve spies, one from each tribe, were chosen to assess the land, its inhabitants, and its resources. After forty days of exploration, the spies returned with their report. While ten of the spies brought back a discouraging report, emphasizing the strength of the inhabitants and the fortified cities, Caleb and Joshua, two of the spies, remained confident in God's promise and encouraged the people to trust in Him. The text does not provide any specific details about Shaphat's role or his perspective during this mission. However, his inclusion in the list of spies highlights the importance of the task and the representation of each tribe in the reconnaissance of the Promised Land.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical bookNumbers 1 verse
- Numbers 13:5
"from the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat son of Hori;"
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | שָׁפָט |