Numbers 13:1-15:41 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 13:1-20

Here we have, I. Orders given to send spies to search out the land of Canaan. It is here said, God directed Moses to send them (Num. 13:1; 2), but it appears by the repetition of the story afterwards (Deut. 1:22) that the motion came originally from the people; they came to Moses, and said, We will send men before us; and it was the fruit of their unbelief. They would not take God's word that it was a good land, and that he would, without fail, put them in possession of it. They could not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 13:1

And the Lord Spake unto Moses ,.... When in the wilderness of Paran, either at Rithmah or Kadesh; this was on the twenty ninth day of the month Sivan, on which day, the Jews say F15 Ib. ut supra, (Seder Olam Rabba, c. 8. p. 24. & Meyer. Annotat. in ib. p. 338.) Pesikta, Chaskuni. , the spies were sent to search the land, which was a scheme of the Israelites' own devising, and which they first proposed to Moses, who approved of it as prudential and political, at least he gave his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Numbers 13:1-45

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Numbers 13:1

And the Lord spake - The mission of the spies was first suggested by the Israelites themselves. See Deuteronomy 1:22. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Numbers 13:1-2

Numbers 13:1-2. The Israelites being now come to the borders of Canaan, Moses commanded them, in the name of God, to go up and possess it, reminding them of his promise to give them the possession of it, and exhorting them not to fear nor be discouraged, Deuteronomy 1:21. But the unbelieving and distrustful multitude, forgetting the power and faithfulness of God, were afraid to venture on this hazardous undertaking, as they thought it, till some persons were sent to examine and bring them... 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

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Numbers 13:1

spake. See note on Numbers 1:1 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Numbers 13:1

This chapter has a record of the sending out of the spies to survey the land of Canaan, an event that proved to be pivotal in the history of Israel. In this chapter, there is:(1) the cause of sending out spies (Numbers 13:1,2)(2) the choice of the spies (Numbers 13:2-16)(3) the commission of the spies (Numbers 13:17-20)(4) the conduct of the spies (Numbers 13:21-24)(5) the confirmation of what God had said about Canaan by the spies (Numbers 13:25-27)(6) the contradiction of God's Word by the... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Numbers 13:1

1, 2. The Lord spake unto Moses, Send thou men, that they may search the land, of Canaan—Compare Deuteronomy 1:22, whence it appears, that while the proposal of delegating confidential men from each tribe to explore the land of Canaan emanated from the people who petitioned for it, the measure received the special sanction of God, who granted their request at once as a trial, and a punishment of their distrust. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Numbers 13:1-25

The sending of the 12 spies into Canaan 13:1-25When the people arrived at Kadesh the Lord told them to go up and take possession of the land He had promised them (Deuteronomy 1:19-21). Kadesh stood in the Desert of Zin, which was a section of the great Paran wilderness. The people asked Moses if they could send spies ahead of them. They did so, "that they may search out the land for us, and bring back to us word of the way by which we should go up, and the cities which we shall enter"... read more