numbers-13:1-3

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Numbers 13:1-20

The Sending of the Spies v. 1. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, v. 2. Send thou men that they may search the land of Canaan, explore and inspect it from every angle, which I give unto the children of Israel; of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them. The men were not to be identical with the princes of the tribes, as named Numbers 1:5-Nehemiah :, but they were, nevertheless, to be notable for ability and leadership. v. 3. And Moses, by the... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Numbers 13:1-33

THIRD SECTIONThe Fall of the Old Generation in the Wilderness of Paran. The Spies. The Despondency, the Stubbornness and the JudgmentNumbers 13:1 to Numbers 14:45In this section we read the history of Israel in the wilderness in the narrower sense, the tragic history of their first cardinal and temporary rejection. God never rejected His entire people, though He did reject single generations of the nation in a conditional sense. This first time one generation died in the wilderness; another... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Numbers 13:1-20

the Spies Sent to Canaan Numbers 12:16 ; Numbers 13:1-20 By comparing the opening verses with Deuteronomy 1:19-22 , it appears that the suggestion about the spies emanated from the people, and that their proposal was graciously acquiesced in by God. But let us remember that it is a profound mistake to spy out or criticize the land or lot into which we are being led. We are almost certain to see the difficulties apart from the grace, and they sometimes appear to be insurmountable. It is... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Numbers 13:1-33

Here we have another story of failure. It is closely associated with the movement of the people toward the promised land. The hour had come in which they should go forward. In this account in Numbers it is stated sending the spies was in obedience to the divine command. However, a comparison of this with the reference to the matter in the first chapter of Deuteronomy will show that the command followed the people's determination to do this very thing. This was in itself an act of suspicion and... read more

James Nisbet

James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary - Numbers 13:2

THE DIVINE AND HUMAN PARTNERSHIP‘Search the land which I give.’ Numbers 13:2 I. The divine and human partnership.—The Israelites had now reached the very border of the Promised Land. But, before actually entering in, Moses, like a prudent leader, sent out twelve men—one man from each tribe—to see what manner of land it was, and to report as to the strength and military prowess of the peoples they would have to dispossess. Moses did this, the account says, at the direct bidding of God. Notice... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 13:1-16

Chapter 13 The Sending Out of Scouts and the Message They Brought Back. 1). The Scouts Sent Out (Numbers 13:1-16 ). The first section from Numbers 13:1-16 basically covers: a Yahweh’s command to send out men to spy out the land (Numbers 13:1-2 a). b The spies to be sent out one for each tribe (Numbers 13:2 b). c Moses at Yahweh’s command sends out spies (Numbers 13:3). b The names of those sent, one for each tribe (Numbers 13:4-15). a These are the names of thos sent out to spy out... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 13:1-33

Numbers 13:1-Micah : . The Espial of Canaan.— This narrative is marked by numerous discrepancies, due to its being a fusion of two accounts drawn from JE and P. In the one (JE) the spies start probably from Kadesh ( Numbers 13:26; Numbers 32:8, cf. Deuteronomy 1:19 f., Joshua 14:7), the survey is limited to the S. of Palestine ( Numbers 13:22 f.), and the report of the land is favourable, but of the inhabitants alarming ( Numbers 13:27-Joel :), Caleb alone dissenting from the latter... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Numbers 13:2

Do as the people press thee to do. Of every tribe of their fathers, i.e. which comes from their several parents or patriarchs. A ruler; a person of wisdom and authority, which might make his witness more considerable with the people. read more

Joseph Exell

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - Numbers 13:1-33

CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTESNumbers 13:1-2. And the Lord spake unto Moses, &c.It appears from Deuteronomy 1:22-23, that the sending of the spies to search out the land was suggested by the people and approved by Moses; and here it is permitted by the Lord. God had commanded them to go and take possession of the land; and the motion to send the spies was an expression of their unbelief.Everyone a ruler among them. By a comparison of the names of these “rulers” with those of “the princes of... read more

Chuck Smith

Chuck Smith Bible Commentary - Numbers 13:1-33

Chapter 13Now in chapter thirteen we get the story. Now, they come to Kadesh Barnea and they are now on the border ready to enter into the Promised Land. They had been about two years, a little over two years now in the wilderness. And now they've come to the place of entering in and possessing the land that God had promised to them. In coming to the borders of the land, Moses thought it would be wise to send spies into the land in order that they might travel through the land, look at the... read more