Numbers 13:17-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Numbers 13:18

Whether they be strong or weak, few or many. It would appear that Moses was guilty of some indiscretion at least in giving these directions. Whether the people were strong or weak, many or few, should have been nothing to the Israelites. It was God that gave them the land; they had only to take possession boldly. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Numbers 13:20

And what the land is. It is impossible to suppose that Moses needed himself to be informed on such particulars as are here mentioned. The intercourse between Egypt and Palestine was comparatively easy and frequent (see on Genesis 1:7 ), and no educated Hebrew could have failed to make himself acquainted with the main features of his fathers' home. We may see in these instructions a confirmation of the statement in Deuteronomy 1:1-46 ; that it was at the desire of the people, and for... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Numbers 13:17

Southward - Rather, “by the Negeb,” or south-country; a well-defined tract of territory forming the southernmost and least fertile portion of the land of Canaan and of the subsequent inheritance of Judah. It extended northward from Kadesh to within a few miles of Hebron, and from the Dead Sea westward to the Mediterranean (see especially Joshua 15:21-32).Into the mountain - The hill-country of southern and central Canaan, mostly within the borders of Judah and Ephraim. It commences a few miles... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Numbers 13:19

In tents - i. e. in open unwalled villages. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Numbers 13:20

The time ... of the firstripe grapes - The first grapes ripen in Palestine in July and August: the vintage is gathered in September and October. This indication of date tallies with what we should have inferred from the previous narrative. For the Israelite host had quitted Sinai on the 20th day of the second month Numbers 13:10, Numbers 13:11, or about the middle of May: since then they had spent a month at Kibroth-hattaavah and a week at Hazeroth, and had accomplished, in all, from 150 to 200... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Numbers 13:17-18

Numbers 13:17-18. Southward Into the southern part of Canaan, which was the nearest part, and the worst too, being dry and desert, and therefore fit for them to enter and pass through with less observation. Into the mountain Into the mountainous country, and thence into the valleys, and so take a survey of the whole land. What it is Both for largeness, and for nature and quality. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Numbers 13:19-20

Numbers 13:19-20. In tents As the Arabians did; or in unwalled villages, which, like tents, are exposed to an enemy. Fat Rich and fertile. 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

E.W. Bullinger