Numbers 13:17-20

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 13:17

And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan ,.... He sent them from Kadeshbarnea, as Caleb affirms, Joshua 14:7 , and said unto them, go ye up this way southward ; pointing as it were with his finger which way they should go, even up such a hill southward; and which, as Aben Ezra observes, was not the south of the camp, but the south of the land of Canaan; and who further observes, that it is well known that Egypt, from whence the Israelites now came, was to the south of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 13:18

And see the land what it is , and the people that dwelleth therein ,.... The situation and condition of the country, and the nature, temper, disposition, and constitution of the inhabitants, by which it might be judged whether it was a desirable thing to possess it, and whether it was practicable to subdue and take it: whether they be strong or weak, few or many ; whether able-bodied men fit for war, and of spirit, strength, and courage, or feeble and pusillanimous, weak and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 13:19

And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad ,.... Whether the air is good, the climate temperate, and the earth well watered, and has good convenience of springs, fountains, and rivers, and so wholesome or healthful; or otherwise, which is the first thing they were directed to observe, though here put in the second place: and what cities they be they dwell in, whether in tents or strong holds ; whether in tents, as the Israelites now lived, and as the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 13:20

And what the land is , whether it be fat or lean ,.... That is, what the soil of it is, whether it be rich and fertile, or whether it be poor and barren, which would be seen by the fruits it produced, this being now the fruitful season of the year; and so the Targum of Jonathan,"and what is the praise of the land, whether its fruits are fat or lean;'plump and full, rich and juicy, or otherwise, as their grapes, olives, &c.; whether it was a land flowing with milk and honey, Exodus... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 13:18

See the land, what it is - What sort of a Country it is; how situated; its natural advantages or disadvantages. And the people - whether they be strong or weak - Healthy, robust, hardy men; or little, weak, and pusillanimous. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 13:20

The land - whether it be fat or lean - Whether the Soil be rich or poor; which might be known by its being well wooded, and by the fruits it produced; and therefore they were desired to examine it as to the trees, etc., and to bring some of the fruits with them. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 13:18

Verse 18 18.And see the land what it is. The counsel of Moses had this object, that the people might be made aware how rich and fertile the land was; for a barren country does not support a large population; and the healthfulness of a locality is inferred from the rigor of its inhabitants, tie, therefore, chiefly insists on the goodness of the land and its abundant production of fruits. Still, perhaps, God would intentionally have the Israelites forewarned, that they would have to do with... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Numbers 13:1-45

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Numbers 13:17

Get you up this way southward. Rather, "get you up there ( זֶה ) in the Negeb." The Negeb, meaning literally "the dryness," was the south-western district of Canaan, which bordered upon the desert, and partook more or less of its character. Except where springs existed, and irrigation could be carried out, it was unfit for settled habitation. See Joshua 15:19 ; 1:15 , where the same word is used. Go up into the mountain. From the Negeb they were to make their way into the... read more

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