Zaccur זַכּוּר

Male H2139G 1 book

Reubenite spy sent to Canaan

Who is Zaccur in the Bible?

Zaccur, son of Shammua, was the Reubenite representative among the twelve spies Moses sent to explore Canaan before the Israelites entered the land (Numbers 13:4). Each of the twelve tribes selected a leader for this scouting mission, and Zaccur was chosen to represent the tribe of Reuben. After forty days of surveying the land, its inhabitants, and resources, the spies returned with their report. While Zaccur's specific assessment is not recorded individually, the majority of the spies, except for Joshua and Caleb, brought back a discouraging report that discouraged the people from entering Canaan, resulting in forty years of wilderness wandering. Zaccur's role in this pivotal moment represents the broader theme of faith and doubt that shaped Israel's early history.

Biography

Zaccur, the son of Shammua, was a member of the tribe of Reuben. He was chosen as one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan before the Israelites entered it. Each tribe was represented by a leader in this scouting mission. Zaccur and the other spies were tasked with assessing the land, its inhabitants, and its resources. After forty days, the spies returned with their report. While Zaccur's specific role in the mission is not detailed, the majority of the spies, except for Joshua and Caleb, delivered a discouraging report that led to the Israelites' refusal to enter the land, resulting in forty years of wandering in the wilderness.

Family

In Scripture

1 biblical book
Numbers 1 verse
  • Numbers 13:4

    "and these were their names: From the tribe of Reuben, Shammua son of Zaccur;"

Names & Aliases

Form Language Script
Named Hebrew זַכּוּר