Numbers 34:24 - Efrayim's leader: Who was Qemu'el?

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Hebrew Text

וּלְמַטֵּה בְנֵי־אֶפְרַיִם נָשִׂיא קְמוּאֵל בֶּן־שִׁפְטָן׃

English Translation

And the prince of the tribe of the children of Efrayim, Qemu᾽el the son of Shiftan.

Transliteration

Ulematteh venei-Efrayim nasi Kemuel ben-Shiphtan.

Hebrew Leining Text

וּלְמַטֵּ֥ה בְנֵֽי־אֶפְרַ֖יִם נָשִׂ֑יא קְמוּאֵ֖ל בֶּן־שִׁפְטָֽן׃

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

This verse appears in Bamidbar (Numbers) 34:24, listing the tribal leaders appointed to assist Yehoshua and Elazar in dividing the Land of Israel. Qemu’el ben Shiftan represents the tribe of Efrayim, one of Yosef’s sons, highlighting his role in the sacred task of land allocation.

Rashi’s Commentary

Rashi notes that Qemu’el’s father, Shiftan, is the same figure mentioned in Bamidbar 25:7 as the father of Pinchas. This connection suggests a family of zealots for Hashem’s honor, as Pinchas famously acted to stop the sin at Shittim (Rashi on Bamidbar 34:24). Thus, Qemu’el’s lineage reflects righteousness and leadership.

Symbolism of the Name Qemu’el

The name Qemu’el (קְמוּאֵל) can be broken down as "Kam El" (קם אל)—"arise for G-d." The Kli Yakar connects this to the tribe of Efrayim’s future role in standing firm for Torah values, particularly during times of national challenge (e.g., the later split between Yeravam and the Kingdom of Yehuda).

Efrayim’s Tribal Legacy

Yosef’s Blessing: Efrayim received Yaakov’s preferential blessing (Bereishit 48:19-20), symbolizing spiritual potential. Qemu’el’s appointment aligns with this legacy.
Leadership in the Wilderness: The Midrash Tanchuma (Bamidbar 12) emphasizes that Efrayim’s leaders were chosen for their wisdom in navigating disputes, a trait inherited from Yosef.

Practical Lessons

The Sforno teaches that Qemu’el’s selection underscores the importance of appointing leaders with both noble ancestry (yichus) and personal merit. His role in dividing the land—a task requiring fairness and foresight—mirrors the balance of justice and compassion embodied by his ancestor Yosef.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who was Kemuel ben Shiftan mentioned in Numbers 34:24?
A: Kemuel ben Shiftan was the appointed leader (nasi) of the tribe of Ephraim during the time when the Land of Israel was being divided among the tribes. The Torah lists him among the tribal representatives who helped allocate portions of the land (Rashi on Numbers 34:18).

Q: Why does the Torah list the names of tribal leaders like Kemuel?
A: The Torah lists these leaders to show the importance of having righteous and responsible individuals oversee sacred tasks, such as dividing the Land of Israel. Each leader was chosen for their wisdom and fairness (Rambam, Hilchot Sanhedrin 2:7).

Q: What can we learn from Kemuel's role in dividing the land?
A: Kemuel's role teaches us that leadership in Jewish tradition requires integrity and dedication to justice. Just as he helped distribute the land fairly, we must ensure fairness in our own communities (Midrash Tanchuma, Pinchas 10).

Q: Why is Ephraim's tribe mentioned specifically in this verse?
A: Ephraim was one of the twelve tribes of Israel and a son of Yosef. The Torah lists each tribe's representative to emphasize that every tribe had an equal role in the division of the land (Bamidbar Rabbah 21:13).

Q: How does this verse relate to Jewish leadership today?
A: Just as Kemuel was chosen to represent his tribe with fairness, Jewish leaders today must act with honesty and responsibility. The Torah's emphasis on proper leadership remains a timeless lesson (Talmud, Horayot 10a).