Numbers 13:23-33

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 13:23

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

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

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