share torah logo

Numbers 13:14 - Tribe leader's hidden significance?

Numbers 13:14 - במדבר 13:14

Hebrew Text

לְמַטֵּה נַפְתָּלִי נַחְבִּי בֶּן־וָפְסִי׃

English Translation

Of the tribe of Naftali, Naĥbi, son of Vofsi.

Transliteration

Lemateh Naftali Nachbi ben-Vofsi.

Hebrew Leining Text

לְמַטֵּ֣ה נַפְתָּלִ֔י נַחְבִּ֖י בֶּן־וׇפְסִֽי׃
לְמַטֵּ֣ה נַפְתָּלִ֔י נַחְבִּ֖י בֶּן־וׇפְסִֽי׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

The verse (Bamidbar 13:14) lists Naĥbi ben Vofsi as the representative of the tribe of Naftali among the twelve spies sent to scout the Land of Israel. This mission is a pivotal moment in Sefer Bamidbar, where the spies' report leads to the decree of wandering in the wilderness for forty years.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi (Bamidbar 13:14) notes that Naĥbi's name reflects his character. The name Naĥbi (נַחְבִּי) is derived from the root ח-ב-א, meaning "hidden" or "concealed." Rashi explains that Naĥbi "concealed" (החביא) the words of the other spies, meaning he did not openly join their slander of the Land of Israel but also did not courageously oppose them like Yehoshua and Calev. This teaches that passive neutrality in the face of wrongdoing can still be culpable.

Midrashic Insights

  • Midrash Tanchuma (Shelach 5) elaborates that Naĥbi's father's name, Vofsi (וָפְסִי), hints at his lineage. The name may be connected to the word פָּסַח (to skip over), suggesting ancestral merit—perhaps alluding to those who "skipped" over sin during the Exodus.
  • Ba'al HaTurim observes that the name Naĥbi appears only once in Tanach, emphasizing his fleeting role in this tragic episode.

Moral Lesson

The episode of the spies underscores the importance of steadfast faith in Hashem's promises and the dangers of silence in the face of collective sin. Naĥbi's legacy serves as a cautionary tale about the moral responsibility to actively uphold truth, even when faced with peer pressure.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who was Nachbi ben Vofsi mentioned in Numbers 13:14?
A: Nachbi ben Vofsi was the representative from the tribe of Naftali chosen to be one of the twelve spies sent by Moshe (Moses) to scout the Land of Israel (Bamidbar 13:1-16). His name is briefly mentioned in this verse as part of the list of tribal leaders selected for this mission.
Q: Why is the tribe of Naftali included in the list of spies in Numbers 13?
A: Each of the twelve tribes of Israel (except for Levi) had a representative among the spies to ensure fairness and collective responsibility. Naftali's inclusion shows that every tribe had a stake in the mission to scout the Land of Israel, as it would later be divided among all the tribes.
Q: What can we learn from the mention of Nachbi ben Vofsi in the Torah?
A: Even though Nachbi ben Vofsi is only briefly mentioned, the Torah teaches that every individual—and every tribe—has significance in Jewish history. The spies' mission was critical, and each representative carried responsibility for their entire tribe. This reminds us that every Jew plays a role in the collective destiny of the Jewish people.
Q: Does the Torah give any details about Nachbi ben Vofsi's actions as a spy?
A: The Torah does not provide specific details about Nachbi ben Vofsi's individual actions during the spying mission. However, the Talmud and Midrash discuss the general failure of the spies (except for Yehoshua and Calev) in speaking negatively about the Land of Israel (Sotah 35a). Since Nachbi was among them, he shared in their mistake.
Q: Why does the Torah list the names of all the spies if most of them sinned?
A: The Torah lists all the spies—including Nachbi ben Vofsi—to emphasize that they were initially respected leaders of their tribes (Rashi on Bamidbar 13:3). Their later failure serves as a lesson that even great people can make mistakes when they lack faith in Hashem's promises.