The term "spied" in the Bible often refers to the act of secretly observing or gathering information, typically for military or strategic purposes. This concept is most prominently featured in the narratives of the Old Testament, where espionage plays a crucial role in the unfolding of God's plans for the Israelites.

1. The Twelve Spies in Canaan:

One of the most notable instances of spying in the Bible is found in the Book of Numbers, where Moses sends twelve men to spy out the land of Canaan. This event is recorded in Numbers 13:1-2 : "The LORD said to Moses, 'Send out for yourself men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. Send one man from each of their fathers’ tribes, all of them leaders among the Israelites.'"

The spies were tasked with assessing the land's fertility, the strength of its inhabitants, and the fortifications of its cities. Upon their return, ten of the spies reported that the land was indeed fruitful but expressed fear over the formidable inhabitants, leading to a lack of faith among the Israelites. However, Caleb and Joshua, two of the spies, encouraged the people to trust in God's promise and take possession of the land (Numbers 13:30): "Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, 'We must go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly conquer it!'"

2. Rahab and the Spies:

Another significant account of spying is found in the Book of Joshua, where two spies are sent by Joshua to scout the city of Jericho. This mission is detailed in Joshua 2:1 : "Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim, saying, 'Go, view the land, especially Jericho.' So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there."

Rahab, recognizing the divine favor upon the Israelites, hid the spies from the king of Jericho and helped them escape, securing a promise for the safety of her family. Her faith and actions are later commended in the New Testament (Hebrews 11:31): "By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies in peace, did not perish with those who were disobedient."

3. David and the Spies:

Spying also features in the life of King David. During his conflict with Saul, David utilized espionage to gather intelligence. In 1 Samuel 26:4 , it is recorded: "David sent out spies to verify that Saul had arrived." This strategic use of spies allowed David to navigate the complex political and military landscape of his time.

4. The Role of Spies in Warfare:

Throughout the Old Testament, the use of spies is a common military tactic. Spies were employed to gather intelligence on enemy movements, fortifications, and plans. This information was crucial for making informed decisions in warfare and often determined the success or failure of military campaigns.

5. Spiritual Implications:

From a spiritual perspective, the accounts of spying in the Bible highlight themes of faith, obedience, and divine providence. The contrasting reports of the twelve spies underscore the importance of trusting in God's promises despite daunting circumstances. Rahab's account illustrates how faith can lead to redemption and inclusion in God's covenant community.

In summary, the act of spying in the Bible serves as a narrative device that reveals the complexities of human decision-making, the consequences of faith and fear, and the overarching sovereignty of God in guiding His people toward their divinely appointed destiny.1. (v.) imp. & p. p. of Spy.

2. (imp. & p. p.) of Spy.

8446. tur -- to seek out, spy out, explore
... out, spy out, explore NASB Word Usage explore (1), explored (1), explores (1), follow
(1), guide (1), investigate (1), seek (2), selected (1), spied (5), spy (6 ...
/hebrew/8446.htm - 6k

7270. ragal -- to go about on foot
... Word Origin denominative verb from regel Definition to go about on foot NASB Word
Usage slander (1), slandered (1), spied (3), spies (11), spy (9), taught to ...
/hebrew/7270.htm - 6k

No House of any Pretension to be Called a Palace is in the Least ...
... He had not seen so much room for several days. All at once he spied something in
the middle of the grass. What could it be? It moved; it came nearer. ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 28 no house of.htm

The Book of the Law
... the high places;" "moreover the workers with familiar spirits, and the wizards,
and the images, and the idols, and all the abominations that were spied in the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 33 the book of.htm

On the Difficulties and Duties of the Christian Life.
... They have spied the land, and seen that it is exceeding good, that it floweth with
milk and honey; but they find they have the children of Anak to grapple with ...
/.../scougal/the life of god in the soul of man/part iii on the difficulties.htm

A Downward Step.
... At last her hope was realized. Walking through the orchard one day after a hard
wind-storm, she spied several large red apples lying in the soft sand. ...
/.../byrum/the value of a praying mother/chapter vii a downward step.htm

The Bishop of Hippo
... SAINT AUGUSTIN I THE BISHOP OF HIPPO. In his monastery, Augustin was still spied
upon by the neighbouring Churches, who wanted him for their bishop. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/i the bishop of hippo.htm

The Story of Rebekah.
... Nahor. When he came to the walls of the city he spied a well, and, as it
was evening, the young women were coming out to draw water. ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/the story of rebekah.htm

And when they were Near to the Land, which God had Promised to ...
... And according to the days that they were in going and returning who had spied out
the land"and these were forty in number"setting a year for a day, He kept ...
/.../the demonstration of the apostolic preaching/chapter 27 and when they.htm

More with us than with them 2Ki 6:16
... Alas! Elisha's servant cried,. When he the Syrian army spied,. But he was
soon released from care,. In answer to the prophet's prayer. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 40 more with us.htm

The Primrose of the Rock
... The vernal breeze invites. What hideous warfare hath been waged,. What kingdoms
overthrown,. Since first I spied that Primrose-tuft. And mark'd it for my own; ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/cclviii the primrose of the.htm

Of the Destruction of Two Brethren for Lack of Discretion.
... And when as they wandered through the deserts and were already fainting from hunger
they were spied at a distance by the Mazices [1179] (a race which is even ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter vi of the destruction.htm

Spied (14 Occurrences)
...Spied (14 Occurrences). ... (KJV WBS). Numbers 13:21 So they went up, and spied out the
land from the wilderness of Zin to Rehob, to the entrance of Hamath. ...
/s/spied.htm - 11k

Explored (9 Occurrences)
... Numbers 13:32 They brought up an evil report of the land which they had spied out
to the children of Israel, saying, "The land, through which we have gone to ...
/e/explored.htm - 9k

Josi'ah (50 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 23:16 And as Josiah turned himself, he spied the sepulchres that were there
in the mount; and he sent, and took the bones out of the sepulchres, and ...
/j/josi'ah.htm - 21k

Spy (27 Occurrences)
... Numbers 13:32 They brought up an evil report of the land which they had spied out
to the children of Israel, saying, "The land, through which we have gone to ...
/s/spy.htm - 16k

Bones (98 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 13:21 It happened, as they were burying a man, that behold, they spied a
band; and they cast the man into the tomb of Elisha: and as soon as the man ...
/b/bones.htm - 40k

Spies (22 Occurrences)

/s/spies.htm - 15k

Accordance (118 Occurrences)
... Joshua 6:22 Joshua said to the two men who had spied out the land, "Go into the
prostitute's house, and bring out from there the woman and all that she has, as ...
/a/accordance.htm - 37k

Zin (9 Occurrences)
... Zin (9 Occurrences). Numbers 13:21 So they went up, and spied out the land from
the wilderness of Zin to Rehob, to the entrance of Hamath. ...
/z/zin.htm - 11k

Nun (31 Occurrences)
... Numbers 14:6 Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were of those
who spied out the land, tore their clothes: (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS ...
/n/nun.htm - 18k

Jephunneh (16 Occurrences)
... Numbers 14:6 Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were of those
who spied out the land, tore their clothes: (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS ...
/j/jephunneh.htm - 12k

Who is Caleb in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who / what were the Nephilim? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of the Negev in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Spied: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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