Numbers 13:17-33

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 13:24

The place was called the brook of Eshcol ,.... That is, in later times: because of the cluster of grapes which the children of Israel cut down from thence ; the word "Eschol" signifying a "cluster"; and this cluster was typical of Christ, who may be compared to this, as he is to a cluster of camphire, Song of Solomon 1:14 ; there being in him a "cluster" of all perfections, of all the perfections of deity, the whole fulness of the Godhead dwelling bodily in him; and of all human... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 13:25

And they returned from searching the land after forty days. The Targum of Jonathan adds, on the eighth day of the month Ab, which answers to part of July and part of August; so that this must be towards the latter end of July: some Jewish writers F11 Seder Olam Rabba, c. 8. p. 24. say it was the ninth of Ab; hence the tradition, that it was decreed on the ninth of Ab concerning their fathers, that they should not enter into the land F12 Misn. Taanith, c. 4. sect. 7. . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 13:26

And they went, and came to Moses, and to Aaron ,.... They proceeded on their journey from Eshcol, till they came to the camp of Israel; and as soon as they came there, went directly to Moses and to Aaron, before they went into their own tents, as Aben Ezra observes: and to all the congregation of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran , to Kadesh ; that is, Kadeshbarnea, as appears from Joshua 14:7 ; called for brevity's sake Kadesh; but is by some thought to be different from the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 13:27

And they told him ,.... Moses, who was the chief ruler whom they addressed, and to whom they directed their speech: and said, we came unto the land whither thou sentest us ; the land of Canaan, which they were sent by Moses to spy; this was said by ten of them or by one of them as their mouth; for Caleb and Joshua did not join with them in the following account, as appears from Numbers 13:30 , and surely it floweth with milk and honey ; they own that the land answered to the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 13:28

Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land ,.... Though so plentiful and fruitful and desirable to enjoy, yet this objection lay against all hopes and even attempts to possess it, as they thought; the strength of the people, its present inhabitants, both in body and mind, being persons of a large, and some of a prodigious stature, and to all appearance men of valour and courage: and the cities are walled and very great ; and so inaccessible, and able to hold out a long... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 13:29

The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south ,.... On the southern side of the land of Canaan: not in it, for they were not Canaanites, but neighbours to them, and lay nearest to the camp of Israel, and at the entrance into the land of Canaan; and as they were enemies of Israel, as appears from an attack upon them quickly after they came from the Red sea, in Rephidim, Exodus 17:8 ; and friends to the Canaanites, they would no doubt oppose their passage into their land, as they did, ... 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 Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 13:32

And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel ,.... Before, they gave a good report of the land itself, as a very fruitful one, answering to their expectations and wishes; but now they change their language, and give a different account of it; which shows their want of integrity, and to what length an opposition carried them, to say things contrary to their real sentiments, and to what they themselves had said before: saying, the land... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 13:33

And there we saw the giants ,.... Not throughout the land, and yet it is so expressed, and in such connection with what goes before, that it might be so understood, and as they might choose it should; that as there were men everywhere of an uncommon size, and were generally so, there were some larger than they in all places, of a prodigious size, of a gigantic stature; and yet this was only in Hebron where they saw them: the sons of Anak ; whose names are given, Numbers 13:22 ; and... read more

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