Who was Nahshon in the Bible?
Lived before Israel had a king
Nahshon, the son of Amminadab, was a prominent figure in the tribe of Judah during the Israelites' exodus from Egypt and their subsequent wilderness journey. Nahshon appears in 9 verses across 4 books of the Bible.
What does the Bible say about Nahshon?
Nahshon, the son of Amminadab, was a prominent figure in the tribe of Judah during the Israelites' exodus from Egypt and their subsequent wilderness journey. He is mentioned in several books of the Bible, including Exodus, Numbers, Ruth, 1 Chronicles, Matthew, and Luke. According to Exo.6.23, Nahshon was the brother-in-law of Aaron, as his sister Elisheba was married to Aaron. This connection to the priestly family highlights Nahshon's significant status within the tribe of Judah. In Num.1.7 and Num.2.3, Nahshon is identified as the leader of the tribe of Judah during the census and the arrangement of the Israelite camp in the wilderness. As the head of Judah, he was responsible for a large portion of the Israelite population and held a position of authority and responsibility. Nahshon's leadership role is further emphasized in Num.7.12,17, where he is the first of the tribal leaders to present offerings at the dedication of the tabernacle. His offering, like those of the other leaders, included silver and gold vessels, as well as animals for sacrifice. In Num.10.14, Nahshon is mentioned again as the leader of the tribe of Judah when the Israelites set out from Mount Sinai, following the order of march determined by God. The genealogies in Rut.4.20, 1 Chronicles Rut.2.10-11, Mat.1.4, and Luk.3.32 identify Nahshon as an ancestor of King David and, consequently, of Jesus Christ. This lineage underscores the importance of Nahshon's role in the history of Israel and God's plan of redemption. Nahshon's life and leadership during the exodus and wilderness journey demonstrate his faithfulness and obedience to God. His prominent position within the tribe of Judah and his place in the lineage of David and Jesus make him a significant figure in the biblical narrative.
Definition text: STEPBible · Tyndale House Cambridge. Licensed CC BY 4.0. Lightly edited for length and formatting.
Compiled by Protos: the verse list on this page. Where one name belongs to more than one person or place, each of them gets a separate entry.
Where does Nahshon appear in the Bible?
Nahshon is referenced in 9 verses across 4 books. Every passage below is about this one, not just every verse the word turns up in.
- 1 Chronicles 2:10
- 1 Chronicles 2:11
- Matthew 1:4
- Numbers 1:7
- Numbers 2:3
- Numbers 7:12
- Numbers 7:17
- Numbers 10:14
- Ruth 4:20
What else appears in these passages?
These turn up in the same passages as Nahshon.
Common questions
How many times does the Bible mention Nahshon?
Nahshon appears in 9 verses across 4 books, most often in Numbers, which accounts for 5 of them.
Which books of the Bible mention Nahshon?
Numbers, 1 Chronicles, Matthew, Ruth.
Where can I read every verse about Nahshon?
This page lists 9 of them. Protos carries all 9, and opens this entry on the verse you are reading rather than in a separate tab.


