Who was Shiphtan in the Bible?

Shiphtan was a man from the tribe of Ephraim, known only as the father of Kemuel. His son Kemuel was a leader appointed to help divide the land of Canaan among the Israelite tribes (Numbers 34:24).

Why is Shiphtan mentioned in the Bible?

Shiphtan is mentioned to establish the lineage of his son, Kemuel, who played a significant role in the distribution of the Promised Land. His inclusion highlights the importance of tribal representation and family lines in Israel's history.

What can we learn from Shiphtan's story?

While little is recorded about Shiphtan himself, his mention teaches that God values every individual in His plan, even those in supporting roles. It shows how faithfulness in family and tribe contributed to the larger story of Israel's inheritance.

Shiphtan

Old TestamentEgypt & WildernessMaleLeaderFather

Shiphtan was the father of Kemuel, a leader from the tribe of Ephraim appointed to help divide the Promised Land.

Shiphtan

Biography

Shiphtan was an Ephraimite leader mentioned in Numbers 34:24 as the father of Kemuel, whom God appointed as one of the tribal princes responsible for supervising the division of Canaan among the twelve tribes of Israel. His appearance in this list places him among the generation of Israelites who stood at the threshold of the Promised Land, preparing to implement the territorial allotment following the conquest under Joshua. Though Shiphtan himself receives no further biographical detail in the biblical text, his designation as the father of a divinely selected land commissioner indicates that he held recognized standing and honor within the tribe of Ephraim, one of the two dominant tribes derived from Joseph.

Significance

Shiphtan represents the generation of faithful Israelites whose task was not to conquer Canaan but to administer the fulfillment of God's ancient promise to Abraham (Genesis 15:18-21). His son Kemuel's appointment to the land commission reflects the orderly, covenant-shaped process by which God fulfilled his territorial promises to Israel. The careful listing of tribal representatives in Numbers 34 emphasizes that the distribution of the land was a sacred, divinely overseen act rather than merely a political arrangement. Shiphtan's legacy, carried through Kemuel, thus participates in the concrete realization of God's faithfulness to his people across centuries of promise and patient waiting.

Authority Records

Wikidata

ChildKemuel

Verse Appearances (1)

Numbers

Numbers 34:24

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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