Original Word: נַחְבִּי
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Nachbiy
Pronunciation: Nakh-bee
Phonetic Spelling: (nakh-bee')
KJV: Nakbi
NASB: Nahbi
Word Origin: [from H2247 (חָבָה - hide)]

1. occult
2. Nachbi, an Israelite

Nakbi

From chabah; occult; Nachbi, an Israelite -- Nakbi.

see HEBREW chabah

Word Origin
from chabah
Definition
a Naphtalite
NASB Translation
Nahbi (1).

נַחְבִּי proper name, masculine a Naphtalite, one of the Hebrew spies Numbers 13:4 (P).

Name Significance

נַחְבִּי (Nachbi) appears once in Scripture. Though etymology is debated, the name is commonly connected to ideas of concealment or hiding. The single biblical mention suggests his entire legacy rests on that moment, making him a study in how fleeting opportunities can carry enduring spiritual weight.

Biblical Setting

Nachbi is listed in Numbers 13:14 among the twelve men Moses sent to reconnoiter Canaan: “from the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi son of Vophsi”. The mission occurred at Kadesh-barnea, near the border of the Promised Land, a pivotal juncture in Israel’s wilderness journey (Numbers 13–14).

Role among the Spies

Scripture records no spoken words or deeds uniquely attributed to Nachbi, yet he is implicitly aligned with the ten spies whose pessimistic report discouraged the nation. The narrative framework treats the ten as a collective voice of unbelief contrasted with Caleb and Joshua, whose faith-filled report upheld God’s promises (Numbers 14:6-9). Thus Nachbi’s inclusion among the ten identifies him with:
• A factual acknowledgment of the land’s goodness (Numbers 13:27).
• An exaggerated focus on obstacles (Numbers 13:28-33).
• Participation in causing Israel’s heart to melt (Deuteronomy 1:28).

Historical Consequences

By siding with fear, Nachbi became part of the catalyst for a national crisis of faith. Israel’s refusal to enter Canaan led to a forty-year wilderness wandering and the death of the unbelieving generation (Numbers 14:29-35). The severity of the outcome underscores how a single moment of unbelief can shape an entire generation’s destiny.

The Tribe of Naphtali in Perspective

Naphtali later receives favorable prophetic words (Deuteronomy 33:23; Isaiah 9:1-2; Matthew 4:13-15). Nachbi’s lapse therefore illustrates that individual failure does not nullify God’s overarching purposes for a tribe or region. The grace that eventually shone on Galilee of the Gentiles highlights divine sovereignty transcending human shortcomings.

Ministry Lessons

1. Accountability of Leadership: Those entrusted with influence—such as the twelve representatives—bear heightened responsibility for communal faith or fear (James 3:1).
2. The Peril of Majority Opinion: Ten voices outweighed two, yet truth was not with the majority. Discernment must rest on God’s word rather than consensus (Romans 3:4).
3. Faith’s Enduring Legacy: Caleb and Joshua’s names endure in honor; Nachbi’s is chiefly remembered for unbelief. Each believer’s legacy is shaped by trust in the Lord’s promises (Hebrews 3:12-19).
4. Redemption’s Reach: Later Naphtali territory became a cradle of Messiah’s ministry, reminding readers that divine grace can triumph where doubt once prevailed (Matthew 4:15-16).

Summary

Nachbi, though mentioned only once, stands as a sober reminder that faithlessness can leave a lasting imprint. His fleeting appearance in the biblical record urges every generation to value God’s promises above present circumstances, choosing the path of Caleb and Joshua so that fear does not define their story.

נַחְבִּ֖י נחבי nachBi naḥ·bî naḥbîInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts