Who was Vophsi in the Bible?

Vophsi was the father of Nahbi, who was selected as one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan. He is only mentioned in connection to his son's role from the tribe of Naphtali (Numbers 13:14).

What is the significance of Vophsi?

Vophsi's significance is indirect but important; he represents a lineage within the tribe of Naphtali. His son, Nahbi, participated in the pivotal spying mission that shaped Israel's history in the wilderness (Numbers 13-14).

What key events was Vophsi involved in?

The Bible records no direct events involving Vophsi. His name appears only in the list identifying his son, Nahbi, as the tribal representative from Naphtali for the spying expedition (Numbers 13:14).

Vophsi

Old TestamentEgypt & WildernessMaleFather

Vophsi was the father of Nahbi, the man chosen to represent the tribe of Naphtali as a spy.

Vophsi

Biography

Vophsi was a man from the tribe of Naphtali whose son Nahbi was selected as one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to reconnoiter the land of Canaan (Numbers 13:14). The selection of one representative from each of the twelve tribes was a significant act, and Nahbi, as Vophsi's son, thus carried the hopes and responsibilities of the entire tribe of Naphtali on that crucial mission. Vophsi himself is mentioned only in this genealogical context, without further biographical detail. His identity is entirely defined by his paternity of Nahbi. The spying mission, recounted in Numbers 13-14, resulted in the infamous report of the ten fearful spies that contributed to Israel's forty years of wilderness wandering.

Significance

Vophsi's sole biblical mention as Nahbi's father places him in the background of one of Israel's most consequential moments, the failure of faith at Kadesh-barnea. While his son Nahbi was among the ten spies whose fearful report led Israel to disbelieve God's promise (Numbers 13:31-33), Vophsi's role in the narrative is representative of the many unnamed Israelite parents whose children faced the decisive test of faith in the wilderness generation. His mention reminds readers that genealogy connects individuals to moments of great spiritual import, and that the legacy of faith or fear is carried through families and communities.

Authority Records

Wikidata

ChildNahbi

Verse Appearances (1)

Numbers

Numbers 13:14

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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