Deuteronomy 1:28

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 1:19-46

Moses here makes a large rehearsal of the fatal turn which was given to their affairs by their own sins, and God's wrath, when, from the very borders of Canaan, the honour of conquering it, and the pleasure of possessing it, the whole generation was hurried back into the wilderness, and their carcases fell there. It was a memorable story; we read it Num. 13:1-14:45; but divers circumstances are found here which are not related there. I. He reminds them of their march from Horeb to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 1:28

Whither shall we go up ?.... What way can we go up into the land? where is there any access for us? the mountain we are come to, and directed to go up, is possessed by the Amorites, a strong and mighty people, who keep and guard the passes, that there is no entrance: our brethren have discouraged our hearts ; ten of the spies; for Joshua and Caleb encouraged them with very powerful arguments, which had they listened to, it would have been well for them: saying, the people is greater... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 1:28

Cities - walled up to heaven - That is, with very high walls which could not be easily scaled. High walls around houses, etc., in these parts of Arabia are still deemed a sufficient defense against the Arabs, who scarcely ever attempt any thing in the way of plunder but on horseback. The monastery on Mount Sinai is surrounded with very high walls without any gate; in the upper part of the wall there is a sort of window, or opening, from which a basket is suspended by a pulley, by which both... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 1:19-33

Sending the spies. This paragraph contains a brief review of events which are recorded in Numbers 13:1-33 ; Numbers 14:1-45 . Israel had left the wilderness of Sinai; the cloud now rested in the wilderness of Paran. At this point they were not very many days' journey from the land of promise. But it would seem that they did not like to go in and take possession of the land without more information than they as yet possessed as to its accessibility and its fitness for their permanent... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 1:19-33

The unbelief in sending and in hearkening to the spies. Moses reminds his audience of the conduct of their fathers at Kadesh-barnea, when exhorted to go up and possess the land. Duty was clear. They had been brought up out of Egypt for the very purpose of entering into and possessing the land of Canaan. But instead of courageously following the path of duty, they resolved to send over spies. The result was an evil report and an evil resolution on the people's part not to attempt invasion.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 1:19-46

Irrecoverableness of wasted opportunity. I. THE CULMINATION OF OPPORTUNITY OFTEN FINDS A MAN UNPREPARED TO OCCUPY IT . The point of time referred to here was the supreme moment in Israel's history. They had relinquished Egypt, endured privation, performed a toilsome journey, for one object, viz. to possess Canaan; yet, when they touched the threshold of the inheritance, they failed to rise to the conception of their privilege. They hesitated, dawdled, feared—and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 1:22-32

The mission of the spies. We see from two instances in this chapter how God's plans leave wide room for the independent action of the human mind. Moses got the suggestion of appointing judges from Jethro; the idea of sending spies to reconnoiter the Holy Land originated with the people. The source from which it came made the motive of it doubtful, but as in itself a measure of prudence, Moses was well pleased with it, and, with God's permission, adopted it. We have here— I. A POLICY ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 1:28

Our brethren have discouraged our heart ; literally, hate melted or made to flow down our heart ( הֵמַסּוּ , Hiph. cf מָסַס , to flow down or melt), have made us fainthearted . The cities are great and walled up to heaven ; literally, are great and fortified in the heavens . To their excited imagination, the walls and towers of the cities seemed as if they reached the very sky; so when men cease to have faith in God, difficulties appear insurmountable, and the power of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Deuteronomy 1:28

Deuteronomy 1:28. The people is greater In number, and strength, and valour. The cities are great, and walled up to heaven An hyperbole, signifying that their cities were fenced with very high walls, which Moses himself allows to be true, Deuteronomy 9:1. But, however strong they were, the Israelites had no reason to fear, since they were assured of the divine protection and aid in the execution of his command. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 1:1-46

1:1-4:43 HISTORICAL INTRODUCTIONIn style similar to that of ancient treaty documents, Deuteronomy opens by recounting all that Yahweh, Israel’s covenant God, has done for his people. It reminds them of his gracious acts on their behalf and calls from them a fitting response of covenant loyalty. The section summarizes events recorded in greater detail in Numbers 10:11-32:42.From Sinai to Kadesh (1:1-46)It was only eleven days’ journey from Mount Sinai to Kadesh-barnea, and about the same from... read more

Group of Brands