Topical Bible: Holy Land: Twelve Men Sent to Spy

◄ Holy Land: Twelve Men Sent to Spy ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The episode of the twelve men sent to spy out the land of Canaan is a significant event in the history of Israel, as recorded in the Old Testament. This event is primarily detailed in the Book of Numbers, chapters 13 and 14, and is a pivotal moment in the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land.

Background and Context

After the Exodus from Egypt and the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness toward the land promised to their forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. As they approached the southern border of Canaan, the LORD instructed Moses to send men to explore the land. This reconnaissance mission was intended to gather information about the land and its inhabitants, as well as to encourage the Israelites with the promise of the land's richness.

Selection of the Spies

Moses, following God's command, selected twelve men, one from each of the twelve tribes of Israel, to carry out this task. Numbers 13:2 states, "Send out for yourself men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each of their fathers’ tribes send one man who is a leader among them." These men were not ordinary individuals but leaders within their respective tribes, chosen for their ability to assess and report back on the conditions of the land.

The Mission

The spies were instructed to observe the land and its people, including the strength and number of its inhabitants, the fertility of the land, and the fortifications of its cities. Numbers 13:17-20 records Moses' instructions: "Go up through the Negev and into the hill country. See what the land is like and whether its people are strong or weak, few or many. Is the land where they live good or bad? Are the cities where they dwell open camps or fortifications? Is the soil fertile or unproductive? Are there trees in it or not? Be courageous, and bring back some of the fruit of the land."

The Report

After forty days of exploration, the spies returned with samples of the land's produce, including a cluster of grapes so large that it had to be carried on a pole between two men. Their report, however, was mixed. They confirmed the land's abundance, saying, "We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit" (Numbers 13:27). Yet, ten of the spies focused on the formidable inhabitants and fortified cities, expressing fear and doubt about Israel's ability to conquer the land. They reported, "We cannot attack those people, for they are stronger than we are" (Numbers 13:31).

Caleb and Joshua's Faith

In contrast, Caleb and Joshua, two of the twelve spies, demonstrated faith in God's promise and urged the people to trust in the LORD's provision. Caleb declared, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it" (Numbers 13:30). Despite their encouragement, the Israelites were swayed by the negative report, leading to widespread fear and rebellion against Moses and Aaron.

Consequences

The lack of faith exhibited by the majority of the spies and the subsequent rebellion of the Israelites resulted in severe consequences. God decreed that the current generation would not enter the Promised Land, and they were condemned to wander in the wilderness for forty years, until a new generation arose. Only Caleb and Joshua were exempt from this judgment, as they had remained faithful and trusted in God's promise.

This episode serves as a profound lesson on the importance of faith and obedience to God's commands. The account of the twelve spies underscores the challenges of trusting in God's promises amidst seemingly insurmountable obstacles and the consequences of allowing fear and doubt to override faith.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 13:1-33
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Typical Significance of the Scriptures Declare their Divine ...
... our pilgrimage we shall enter a fairer land than that ... Lord left this earth, He sent
the Holy Spirit who ... In the wilderness he sent twelve men to spy out Canaan ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter six the typical significance.htm

Afraid of Giants
Expositions of Holy Scripture. ... march, and at Sinai, they had been told that the land
was 'flowing ... Not to believe Him unless a jury of twelve of ourselves says ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/afraid of giants.htm

The Last Supper.
... He replied, "My name is Judas, and I am one of the twelve.". ... Then I will come back
to fetch the armed men.". ... Let him die! The enemy of our holy land!". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/stead/king of the jews/chapter iii the last supper.htm

The Testament of Simeon Concerning Envy.
... The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs ... as the odour of Libanus; and as cedars shall
holy ones be ... Then shall fail the land of Ham, and every people shall perish ...
/.../ii the testament of simeon concerning.htm

The Spies
... all their might, although it was past twelve o'clock ... done what you can for Christ,
by holy, patient, quiet ... spies; you have brought a good report of the land. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the spies.htm

Book Twelve the Mode of Creation and the Truth of Scripture. ...
... The Confessions of Saint Augustine BOOK TWELVE The mode of creation ... In the firmament
he finds the allegory of Holy Scripture and in the dry land and bitter ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book twelve the mode of.htm

The Planting of the Church in New England --Pilgrim and Puritan.
... and corruptions in the Church of England, but even from fellowship with good and
holy men in the ... The twelve years of seclusion in an alien land among a ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter viii the planting of.htm

A Poor Man's Cry, and what came of It
... soon find more than you could count in twelve months: the ... you may be devoured with
troubles as the land by locusts ... are grand things to use in their holy service ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/a poor mans cry and.htm

The Letter of the Church of Rome
... his slave, and to him there were given the twelve scepters of ... He separated the land
from the water surrounding it and fixed ... 4Above all, with his holy and pure ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/the letter of the church.htm

How the Bishop is to Treat the Innocent, the Guilty, and the ...
... He was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he ... to put His name in Jerusalem,
the holy city, for ... Lord God soon destroyed him utterly from His good land. ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii how the bishop is.htm