(29) The land of the south.—Better, of the south country, or the Negeb. See Genesis 36:12, and also Numbers 13:17 of this Num. and Note.The mountains.—See Genesis 10:15-16, and Numbers 13:17 of this Num. and Note.The Canaanites.—See Genesis 10:15-18; Genesis 13:7, and Notes. read more
A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey Numbers 13:27 The idea suggested is, that the true disciples of the Lord Jesus are expected to show to the world some illustration of the heavenly country to which they are journeying. In a sense they have been there, and have come back. But in what sense? I. The idea with many persons is, that the future condition of man is so completely different from this, that it is out of the question to attempt to form a conception of it. Heaven, they think, is... read more
THE SPIES AND THEIR REPORTNumbers 13:1-33; Numbers 14:1-10Two narratives at least appear to be united in the thirteenth and fourteenth chapters. From Numbers 13:17; Numbers 13:22-23, we learn that the spies were despatched by way of the south, and that they went to Hebron and a little beyond, as far as the valley of Eshcol. But Numbers 13:21 states that they spied out the land from the wilderness of Zin, south of the Dead Sea, to the entering in of Hamath. The latter statement implies that they... read more
4. At Kadesh-Barnea and Israel’s Unbelief CHAPTER 13 1. The command to search out the land (Numbers 13:1-3 ) 2. The names of the spies (Numbers 13:4-16 ) 3. Directions given (Numbers 13:17-20 ) 4. Their explorations (Numbers 13:21-25 ) 5. The report they brought (Numbers 13:26-33 ) The crisis is reached with this chapter. The events of the preceding chapters are the prelude to the complete failure and disaster. To understand the situation we must consult Deuteronomy 1:21-24 . Moses... read more
13:27 And they told {i} him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this [is] the fruit of it.(i) That is, Moses. read more
13:28 Nevertheless the people [be] strong that dwell in the land, and the cities [are] walled, [and] very great: and moreover we saw the {k} children of Anak there.(k) Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, whom Caleb slew afterward, Joshua 11:21-22. read more
SPIES SENT TO CANAAN (vs.1-25) As Israel drew nearer to Canaan, God instructed Moses to send a man from each of the 12 tribes to spy out the land Canaan (vs.1-2). If we compare this to Deuteronomy 1:22-23 we shall see that the children of Israel had first come to Moses, desiring that they should send men to search out the land and bring back advice as to what way Israel should take to enter the land and what cities should be their first object of attack. Notice in this scripture that there... read more
CRISIS AT KADESH - BARNEA The unbelief exhibited at Kadesh-barnea, and the divine comment on it invest the transaction with great significance. The people had faith to sprinkle the blood of atonement (Exodus 12:28 ), and to come out of Egypt (type of the world), but had not faith to enter their Canaan rest. Therefore, though redeemed, they “grieved” Jehovah for forty years. (Compare the chapters of this lesson with Deuteronomy 1:19-40 ; Deuteronomy 1 Corinthians 10:1-5 ; Hebrews 3:12-19 ;... read more
Irreligious Fears Numbers 13:0 , Num 14:1-25 God gives no speculative commands. When he said "Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel," he meant that the land of Canaan was to be given to Israel whatever difficulties or delays might occur in the process of acquisition. There is no if in the commandments of Heaven that may mean either of two courses or either of two ways. God says, You shall have this, if you are faithful. But the if... read more
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Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Numbers 13:28
(28) Nevertheless the people be strong . . . —The spies adopted the words of Exodus 3:8, “flowing with milk and honey,” as descriptive of the fertility of the land of Canaan, but at the same time they discouraged the hearts of their brethren by their description of the strength of the fortified cities and the gigantic stature of the inhabitants.The children of Anak.—Better, of the Anakim. (See Numbers 13:22, and Note.) read more