Numbers 13:2

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 13:2

Send thou men ,.... Which is rather a permission than a command; so Jarchi interprets it,"send men according to thy mind, I do not command thee, but if thou pleasest send;'this he observed was agreeable to Moses, and to the Israelites, and therefore granted it, or allowed them to take their own way, and which issued badly, as it always does, when men are left to their own counsel: that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel ; called the land of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 13:2

Send thou men, that they may search - It appears from Deuteronomy 1:19-24 ; that this was done in consequence of the request of the people, after the following address of Moses: "And when we departed from Horeb, we went through all that great and terrible wilderness - and we came unto Kadesh-Barnea; and I said unto you, Ye are come unto the mountain of the Amorites, which the Lord our God doth give unto us. Behold the Lord thy God hath set the land before thee: go up and possess it, as the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 13:2

Verse 2 2.Of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man. If all had been taken from one tribe, or from any single portion of the people, their fidelity might have been suspected by the others. God, therefore, would have each tribe assured by its own witness, in order that their report might be more unquestionable. All cause for jealousy was also to be taken away; lest, if any tribe had been passed over, it might have excepted against the messengers, whom it supposed to have been elected... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Numbers 13:1-45

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Numbers 13:2

Send thou men, that they may search the land. If this account of the mission of the spies be compared with that given in Deuteronomy 1:20-25 , it may be seen in a striking instance how entirely different a colour may be put upon the same circumstances by two inspired narratives. No one indeed will affirm that the two records are contradictory, or even inconsistent, and yet they leave an entirely different impression upon the mind; and no doubt were intended to. It is important to note that... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Numbers 13:2

A ruler - A comparison of the list with that of Numbers 13:1 :5 following shows that they were not the princes of the tribes, but heads of houses or families Numbers 12:4.Of the names here given those of Joshua and Caleb alone are otherwise known to us. 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 13:2

Send thou. This was spoken in consequence of People's request. Compare Deuteronomy 1:19-22 , and "we will" of Numbers 13:22 . This was walking by "sight. " search, for Jehovah had told them about it. See Deuteronomy 8:7-9 . Compare 1 Samuel 8:6 , 1 Samuel 8:22 , and Hosea 13:11 . Jehovah already espied it. Ezekiel 20:6 . Canaan. Compare Deuteronomy 7:1 . The land of the seven mighty nations. See App-23 and App-25 . children = sons. ruler = prince. read more

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