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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 13:28

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Numbers 13:28

Nevertheless. אֶפֶס כִּי . "Only that." Septuagint, ἀλλ ἢ ὅτι . The people be strong. Moses himself had directed their attention to this point, and now they dwell on it to the exclusion of everything else. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Numbers 13:27-29

Numbers 13:27-29. They told him In the audience of the people. The Amalekites in the south Where we are to enter the land; and they who were so fierce against us that they came into the wilderness to fight with us, will, without doubt, oppose us when we come close by their land, the rather, to revenge themselves for their former loss. Therefore they mention them, though they were not Canaanites. In the mountains In the mountainous country, in the south-east part of the land, so that you... 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 13:28

Nevertheless. In spite of the evidence produced. This is the conclusion of sight, not of faith. Note the words "we saw", verses: Numbers 13:28 , Numbers 13:32 , Numbers 13:33 . very great. Great in size as well as in wickedness, abnormal, superhuman. See App-23 and App-25 . we saw. This was "walking by sight, not by faith", 2 Corinthians 5:7 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Numbers 13:28

Numbers 13:28. We saw the children of Anak there— See Num 13:32-33 and Genesis 6:4. This exaggerated account of the cities and of the inhabitants was given with a view to discourage the people from attempting a country thus defended by walls almost impregnable, and by inhabitants as formidable in number as gigantic in size. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Numbers 13:1-33

The failure of the first generation chs. 13-14The events recorded in chapters 13 and 14 took place while Israel was at Kadesh. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Numbers 13:26-33

The report of the spies 13:26-33The spies reported that the land was indeed as fruitful as they had heard (Numbers 13:27), "nevertheless . . ." (Numbers 13:28). Everything the spies said from this word on was uncalled for. [Note: See J. A. Beck, "Geography and the Narrative Shape of Numbers 13," Bibliotheca Sacra 157:627 (July-September 2000):271-80.] Their commission had been to view the land and to report back on what they saw. It was not their job to determine if the Israelites could... read more

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