שִׁפְטָן (shiph.tan)
shiph.tan
Shiphtan
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Shiphthan appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, recorded in Numbers 34:24 as the representative of the tribe of Ephraim during the division of the Promised Land. He is identified as the father of Kemuel, who is named as the actual leader assigned to that specific tribal allotment. This brief mention places him within the administrative framework established for organizing the new settlement in Canaan.
Linguistically, the name derives from the root shaphat, meaning "to judge" or "to govern." Consequently, Shiphthan carries the sense of a "judge" or one who exercises judicial authority. While the text does not describe his personal actions, the etymology aligns with the role of tribal leaders in maintaining order and justice among their people as they transitioned from wilderness wanderers to settled inhabitants.
His inclusion in this list highlights the structured nature of Israel’s early governance. By naming him alongside other tribal heads, the narrative emphasizes that the distribution of land was a formal, legally recognized process involving designated representatives from each tribe, ensuring that every group had a voice in the shaping of their future inheritance.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Shiphthan appears in Numbers 34:24 as the father of Kemuel, the leader assigned to Ephraim when the land was divided. Though he is not named as the active ruler in that moment, his inclusion signals that authority and order were carefully planned. The meaning of his name, connected to the root for judging or governing, reminds us that leadership in Israel was meant to reflect justice and care for the community.
For believers today, this brief mention highlights God’s attention to detail in organizing His people. He did not leave the settlement of Canaan to chance but provided structure through named individuals. This shows that God values order, fairness, and clear roles in how we live together. When we face decisions about leadership or community life, we can look to this example: God works through people who are committed to doing what is right.
It is encouraging to know that even those who seem to step back from the spotlight still play a part in God’s larger plan. Shiphthan’s legacy lives on through his son and the tribe he represented. We too can trust that our faithful presence, whether visible or hidden, matters deeply to God.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Shiphtan1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שִׁפְטָֽן\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 34:24
Of the tribe of the children of Ephraim a prince, Kemuel the son of Shiphtan.
This verse identifies Shiphthan as the father of Kemuel, showing how leadership roles were passed down and formally recognized within the tribe of Ephraim during the land division.