Shiphtan was the father of Kemuel, who served as the tribal prince representing Ephraim in the division of Canaan. His name appears in Numbers 34:24 in the list of leaders appointed to allocate the land among the tribes. The name may derive from the root for 'judgment,' though as a proper name it primarily functions to identify lineage. These tribal representatives worked alongside Joshua and Eleazar to ensure fair distribution of the inheritance.