Numbers 13 Commentary

Before entering the Promised Land of Canaan, the LORD commanded Moses to send spies into the land. He was to select a person from each tribe.

Numbers 13:3-16 contains a list of the names of the men sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan. The tribe of Levi was exempted from sending a spy, and Joshua was sent instead.

After appointing the spies from each tribe, Moses then gave them instructions as to where to go and what they were to look for. They were also to bring back a sample of what was grown in the land.

Numbers 13:21-24 contains a summary of the activities of the spies in Canaan. They obeyed Moses and spied the wilderness areas as well as places in the hill country. They also brought back a branch containing grapes as Moses requested.

After their forty-day exploration of the land of Canaan, the spies reported back to Moses and the others. They showed the produce they brought back (grapes and other fruit), showing that the land was very good. They also reported that the people who were living in the land were big and powerful and that the cities were heavily fortified. Scariest of all were the descendants of Anak, who were very tall and very strong. The land looked as though anyone who tried to conquer it would perish in the effort.