In the biblical context, a "spy" refers to an individual sent to gather information covertly, often regarding military or territorial matters. The role of spies is depicted in several key narratives within the Scriptures, highlighting themes of faith, obedience, and divine providence.

Old Testament Instances

1. The Twelve Spies: One of the most notable accounts of espionage in the Bible is found in the Book of Numbers. Moses, following God's command, sent twelve men to spy out the land of Canaan, the Promised Land, to assess its resources and the strength of its inhabitants. Numbers 13:1-2 states, "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 returned with a mixed report; ten of them instilled fear among the Israelites by focusing on the formidable inhabitants, while Joshua and Caleb encouraged trust in God's promise (Numbers 13:30, 14:6-9).

2. Rahab and the Spies: In the Book of Joshua, two spies were sent by Joshua to scout Jericho. They were sheltered by Rahab, a prostitute, who recognized the power of the God of Israel and sought protection for her family. Joshua 2:1 recounts, "Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. 'Go, look over the land,' he said, 'especially Jericho.' So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there." Rahab's faith and actions led to her inclusion in the lineage of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5).

3. David and the Spies: During King David's reign, espionage played a role in his military strategies. In 2 Samuel 15:34-37, David sent Hushai the Arkite to act as a spy within Absalom's court to thwart the rebellion against him. Hushai's intelligence and counsel were instrumental in David's eventual victory.

New Testament Reference

While the New Testament does not focus extensively on espionage, the concept of being watchful and discerning is emphasized. Jesus Himself advised His followers to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves" (Matthew 10:16), which can be seen as an encouragement to be prudent and discerning in a world that often requires vigilance.

Theological Implications

The use of spies in the Bible underscores the importance of wisdom, discernment, and faith in God's promises. The narratives involving spies often reveal the tension between human fear and divine assurance. The faithful actions of individuals like Joshua, Caleb, and Rahab demonstrate the blessings that come from trusting in God's plan, even when circumstances appear daunting.

In summary, the role of spies in the Bible serves as a reminder of the need for faith and obedience in the face of challenges, as well as the importance of seeking God's guidance in all endeavors.1. (v. t.) To gain sight of; to discover at a distance, or in a state of concealment; to espy; to see.

2. (v. t.) To discover by close search or examination.

3. (v. t.) To explore; to view; inspect; and examine secretly, as a country; -- usually with out.

4. (v. i.) To search narrowly; to scrutinize.

5. (n.) One who keeps a constant watch of the conduct of others.

6. (n.) A person sent secretly into an enemy's camp, territory, or fortifications, to inspect his works, ascertain his strength, movements, or designs, and to communicate such intelligence to the proper officer.

SPY

spi.

See ESPY.

2684. kataskopeo -- to view closely, spy out
... to view closely, spy out. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: kataskopeo Phonetic
Spelling: (kat-as-kop-eh'-o) Short Definition: I spy out, plot against ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2684.htm - 7k

2685. kataskopos -- a spy
... a spy. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: kataskopos Phonetic Spelling:
(kat-as'-kop-os) Short Definition: a spy Definition: a spy, scout. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2685.htm - 6k

1455. egkathetos -- hired to lie in wait, lying in wait
... to lie in wait, lying in wait. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: egkathetos
Phonetic Spelling: (eng-kath'-et-os) Short Definition: a spy Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1455.htm - 6k

4688. spekoulator -- a scout, by ext. an executioner
... executioner. Of Latin origin; a speculator, ie Military scout (spy or (by extension)
life-guardsman) -- executioner. (spekoulatora) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4688.htm - 6k

4648. skopeo -- to look at, contemplate
... consider, take heed, mark. From skopos; to take aim at (spy), ie (figuratively)
regard -- consider, take heed, look at (on), mark. Compare optanomai. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4648.htm - 6k

8446. tur -- to seek out, spy out, explore
... 8445, 8446. tur. 8447 . to seek out, spy out, explore. Transliteration: tur
Phonetic Spelling: (toor) Short Definition: spy. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/8446.htm - 6k

1345. Geuel -- "majesty of El," a Gadite spy
... 1344, 1345. Geuel. 1346 . "majesty of El," a Gadite spy. Transliteration:
Geuel Phonetic Spelling: (gheh-oo-ale') Short Definition: Geuel. ...
/hebrew/1345.htm - 6k

3612. Kaleb -- a son of Jephunneh and sent by Moses to spy out the ...
... Kaleb. 3613 . a son of Jephunneh and sent by Moses to spy out the land.
Transliteration: Kaleb Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-labe') Short Definition: Caleb. ...
/hebrew/3612.htm - 6k

6822. tsaphah -- to look out or about, spy, keep watch
... tsaphah. 6823 . to look out or about, spy, keep watch. Transliteration: tsaphah
Phonetic Spelling: (tsaw-faw') Short Definition: watchman. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/6822.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

7789. shur -- to behold, regard
... A primitive root (identical with shuwr through the idea of going round for inspection);
to spy out, ie (generally) survey, (for evil) lurk for, (for good) care ...
/hebrew/7789.htm - 6k

7200. raah -- to see
... be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let)
see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), X sight of others, (e-)spy, stare, X ...
/hebrew/7200.htm - 7k

His Arrival in Apulia, Venice, Ferrara, and Genoa --He is ...
... CHAPTER V HIS ARRIVAL IN APULIA, VENICE, FERRARA, AND GENOA"HE IS APPREHENDED AS
A SPY"HE IS DESPISED AS A FOOL"HIS STUDIES AT BARCELONA AND ALCALA. ...
/.../loyola/the autobiography of st ignatius/chapter v his arrival in.htm

Condemned to be Shot.
... Finally he was arrested for a spy, court-martialed, and condemned to be shot.
He sent for the American Consul and the English Consul ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/condemned to be shot.htm

Galatians Chapter ii.
... Ver.4. "Who came in privily to spy out our liberty, which we have in Christ
Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage.". He points ...
/.../galatians chapter ii.htm

Vergilius had Thought Wisely of his Temptation. ...
... Loving Caesar, you have been a spy self-appointed. ... "But they will think me a poor
spy if I give not the names of the conspirators, and how may I?". ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 17 vergilius had thought.htm

The Story of Benjamin.
... "You have come to spy out the weakness of the land. What is your calling? ... "No," he
replied firmly; "you have come to spy out the weakness of Egypt. ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/the story of benjamin.htm

The Rewards of Faith and Hospitality. Rahab.
... For when spies were sent by Joshua, the son of Nun, to Jericho, the king of the
country ascertained that they were come to spy out their land, and sent men to ...
/.../chapter xii the rewards of faith.htm

The Aggressive Rejection.
... Had some Jerusalem spy gotten in and begun his poisoning work already? ... And now they
begin to follow Him up, and spy upon His movements and words. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks about jesus/the aggressive rejection.htm

The Rewards of Faith and Hospitality. Rahab.
... For when spies were sent by Joshua, the son of Nun, to Jericho, the king of the
country ascertained that they were come to spy out their land, and sent men to ...
/.../keith/the epistles of clement/chapter xii the rewards of faith.htm

St. Paul Quite in Accordance with St. Peter and Other Apostles of ...
... Therefore he says: "Because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily
to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ, that they might bring us ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter iii st paul quite in.htm

Of Lies are Many Sorts, which Indeed All...
... Well then, let us set before our eyes a cunning spy as he makes up to the person
whom he has already perceived to be a Priscillianist; he begins with Dictinius ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/against lying/section 4 of lies are.htm

Spy (27 Occurrences)
... proper officer. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SPY. spi. See ESPY.
Multi-Version Concordance Spy (27 Occurrences). Galatians 2 ...
/s/spy.htm - 16k

Espy (2 Occurrences)
... with the eyes; to discover, as a distant object partly concealed, or not obvious
to notice; to see at a glance; to discern unexpectedly; to spy; as, to espy ...
/e/espy.htm - 8k

Spied (14 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (v.) imp. & pp of Spy. 2. (imp. & pp) of Spy.
Multi-Version Concordance Spied (14 Occurrences). Exodus ...
/s/spied.htm - 11k

Spies (22 Occurrences)
... the first time, and were encamped there, Moses selected twelve spies from among
the chiefs of the divisions of the tribes, and sent them forth to spy the land ...
/s/spies.htm - 15k

Rahab (14 Occurrences)
... at Shittim, in the "Arabah" or Jordan valley opposite Jericho, ready to cross the
river, Joshua, as a final preparation, sent out two spies to "spy the land ...
/r/rahab.htm - 16k

Zorah (10 Occurrences)
... Ir-shemesh (Joshua 19:41); the birthplace of Samson (Judges 13:2, 25); near here
too he was buried (Judges 16:31); from here some Danites went to spy out the ...
/z/zorah.htm - 11k

Nun (31 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Numbers 13:16 These are the
names of the men who Moses sent to spy out the land. Moses ...
/n/nun.htm - 18k

Gemalli (1 Occurrence)
... ge-mal'-i (gemalli, "camel owner"): Father of the spy Ammiel from the tribe of Dan
(Numbers 13:12), who was one of those sent by Moses to spy out the land of ...
/g/gemalli.htm - 6k

Geuel (1 Occurrence)
... GEUEL. gu'-el, ge-u'-el (ge'u'el, "majesty of God"): The spy from the tribe of Gad
(Numbers 13:15), sent by Moses to spy out the land of Canaan. ...
/g/geuel.htm - 6k

Teraphim (14 Occurrences)
... Judges 18:14 Then the five men who went to spy out the country of Laish answered,
and said to their brothers, "Do you know that there is in these houses an ...
/t/teraphim.htm - 13k

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