Numbers 13:21-33

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 13:21-25

We have here a short account of the survey which the spies made of the promised land. 1. They went quite through it, from Zin in the south, to Rehob, near Hamath, in the north, Num. 13:21. See Num. 34:3; 8. It is probable that they did not go altogether in a body, lest they should be suspected and taken up, which there would be the more danger of if the Canaanites knew (and one would think they could not but know) how near the Israelites were to them; but they divided themselves into several... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 13:26-33

It is a wonder how the people of Israel had patience to stay forty days for the return of their spies, when they were just ready to enter Canaan, under all the assurances of success they could have from the divine power, and a constant series of miracles that had hitherto attended them; but they distrusted God's power and promise, and were willing to be held in suspense by their own counsels, rather than be brought to a certainty by God's covenant. How much do we stand in our own light by our... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 13:21

So they went up and searched the land ,.... Went up the mountains as they were directed, and passed through the whole land; diligently inquired into everything material belonging to it, according to their instructions, and made their observations on it, and on the inhabitants, and their habitations: from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath ; this wilderness, from whence they went, seems to be the same with the wilderness of Paran, called Zin; perhaps from the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 13:22

And they ascended by the south ,.... When they returned, after they had searched the land, then they came into the south country again, which was in their way to Kadesh, where the camp of Israel remained; they are said to ascend, because of the hill country they again came to; for their coming to Hebron, and carrying a cluster of grapes from that place, not far from thence, was upon their return: and came unto Hebron ; which was in the hill country of Judea, in the tribe of Judah... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 13:23

And they came unto the brook of Eshcol ,.... Or "valley of Eshcol" F21 נחל "vallem", Pagninus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Drusius. , which is here so called by anticipation from the following circumstance; and perhaps had not this name given it, until the children of Israel were possessed of the land, and then they called it so, in memory of what was done here at this time; it was not far from Hebron, as may be concluded from thence; and so Jerom, relating the travels of... read more

John Gill

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

Group of Brands