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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

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 13:31

But the men that went up with him ,.... With Caleb, all but Joshua: the other ten said, we be not able to go up against the people ; this they had not said before, though they plainly suggested it, and, to make the people believe this, had represented the inhabitants of the land of Canaan in the light they did; but now, in direct opposition to Caleb, fully expressed it, giving this reason for it: for they are stronger than we ; being both of a larger size and more numerous. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 13:32

And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel ,.... Before, they gave a good report of the land itself, as a very fruitful one, answering to their expectations and wishes; but now they change their language, and give a different account of it; which shows their want of integrity, and to what length an opposition carried them, to say things contrary to their real sentiments, and to what they themselves had said before: saying, the land... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 13:33

And there we saw the giants ,.... Not throughout the land, and yet it is so expressed, and in such connection with what goes before, that it might be so understood, and as they might choose it should; that as there were men everywhere of an uncommon size, and were generally so, there were some larger than they in all places, of a prodigious size, of a gigantic stature; and yet this was only in Hebron where they saw them: the sons of Anak ; whose names are given, Numbers 13:22 ; and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 13:32

Men of a great stature - מדות אנשי anshey middoth , men of measures - two men's height; i. e., exceedingly tall men. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 13:33

There we saw the giants - נפלים nephilim . It is evident that they had seen a robust, sturdy, warlike race of men, and of great stature; for the asserted fact is not denied by Joshua or Caleb. Tales of gigantic men are frequent in all countries, but they are generally of such as have lived in times very remote from those in which such tales are told. That there have been giants at different times, in various parts of the earth, there can be no doubt; but that there ever was a nation of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 13:30

Verse 30 30.And Caleb stilled the people before Moses. That is, he restrained the murmurs of the people before Moses, against whom they had begun to rise tumultuously. Hence it appears that much was said on both sides which is passed over in silence, for there would have been no need of restraining the violence of the people, unless the contention had waxed warm. His words, however, show what was the state of the whole case and question, viz., that the ten treacherous spies had dissuaded the... read more

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