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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 13:26-33

It is a wonder how the people of Israel had patience to stay forty days for the return of their spies, when they were just ready to enter Canaan, under all the assurances of success they could have from the divine power, and a constant series of miracles that had hitherto attended them; but they distrusted God's power and promise, and were willing to be held in suspense by their own counsels, rather than be brought to a certainty by God's covenant. How much do we stand in our own light by our... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 13:30

And Caleb stilled the people before Moses ,.... In his presence, they standing before him; or "unto Moses" F14 אל משה "ad Moseh", Montanus; "venientem ad Mosem", Junius & Tremellius, Drusius. , as they were coming to him with open mouth against him; for upon the above report of the spies they began to murmur and mutiny, and to speak against Moses for bringing them out of Egypt into a wilderness, feeding them with vain hopes of a country which they were never likely to enjoy;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 13:31

But the men that went up with him ,.... With Caleb, all but Joshua: the other ten said, we be not able to go up against the people ; this they had not said before, though they plainly suggested it, and, to make the people believe this, had represented the inhabitants of the land of Canaan in the light they did; but now, in direct opposition to Caleb, fully expressed it, giving this reason for it: for they are stronger than we ; being both of a larger size and more numerous. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 13:30

Verse 30 30.And Caleb stilled the people before Moses. That is, he restrained the murmurs of the people before Moses, against whom they had begun to rise tumultuously. Hence it appears that much was said on both sides which is passed over in silence, for there would have been no need of restraining the violence of the people, unless the contention had waxed warm. His words, however, show what was the state of the whole case and question, viz., that the ten treacherous spies had dissuaded the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Numbers 13:30

Caleb stilled the people. That Caleb alone is named here, whereas Joshua is elsewhere joined with him in the matter (as in Joshua 14:6 , 30), has been considered strange; but it is not difficult to supply a probable explanation. Joshua was the special companion and minister of Moses, his alter ego in those things wherein he was employed: for that reason he may very well have given place to Caleb as a more impartial witness, and one more likely to be listened to in the present temper of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Numbers 13:31

For they are stronger than we. In point of numbers the enormous superiority of the Israelites over any combination likely to oppose them must have been evident to the most cowardly. But the existence of numerous walled and fortified towns was (apart from Divine aid) an almost insuperable obstacle to a people wholly ignorant of artillery or of siege operations; and the presence of giants was exceedingly terrifying in an age when battles were a series of personal encounters (cf. 1 Samuel... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Numbers 13:30

Numbers 13:30. Caleb Together with Joshua, as is manifest from chap. Numbers 14:6-7; Numbers 14:30; but Caleb alone is here mentioned, possibly because he spake first and most, which he might better do, because he might be presumed to be more impartial than Joshua, who, being Moses’s minister, might be thought to speak only what he knew his master would like. Stilled the people Which implies either that they had begun to murmur, or that by their looks and carriage, they discovered the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Numbers 13:31

Numbers 13:31. The men All of them, Joshua excepted. Stronger Both in stature of body and numbers of people. Thus they question the power, and truth, and goodness of God, of all which they had such ample testimonies. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Numbers 13:1-33

The twelve spies (13:1-33)Israel pushed on towards the promised land. The long and tiresome journey through the wilderness of Paran was relieved by stoppages at various points where the people set up camp for a few days (see 10:12; 11:35; 12:16; 13:3). As they moved nearer to Canaan, Moses sent twelve spies, one from each tribe, to see what they could find out about the country - its terrain, its people, its defences and its productivity (13:1-20). The spies probably split up, going in... read more

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