Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan and said to them, “Go up into the Negeb and go up into the hill country,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Moses didn't just tell them to go south; he specifically directed them toward the "Negeb," a region known for its dryness and less hospitable terrain. This strategic instruction implies he wanted them to assess the most challenging parts of the land first, perhaps to temper expectations or to see how they'd handle the initial difficulties.
Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan and said to them, “Go up into the Negeb and go up into the hill country,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Right after God commanded Israel to enter the Promised Land, Moses commissions twelve men to scout it out first. He instructs them to travel north into the region known as the Negeb and then head into the hill country, gathering intelligence on the land and its people. Their mission is to see if the land is fertile and if its inhabitants are strong or weak, weak or strong.
Moses didn't just send the spies anywhere. He gave them a specific direction, a starting point for their crucial mission. What can we learn from this strategic choice?
The Negeb: A Deliberate Starting Place
Moses instructs the spies to "go up into the Negeb." This wasn't just a random direction; the Negeb was the southern part of Canaan.
The command isn't just to 'go,' but to 'go up.' What does this simple preposition reveal about the journey ahead?
The Call to Ascend
The spies are told to "go up into the mountain." This repeated command to ascend is significant:
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Understand the original words
Kena'an · Hebrew Proper Noun
Refers to the land promised by God to Abraham and his descendants, serving as the setting for the history of the Israelites and the theater of God's covenantal faithfulness.
Negeb · Hebrew Proper Noun
The arid southern region of Israel, often characterized by desert conditions, which acted as a geographic boundary and a challenging environment for travelers.
This mission to scout Canaan occurred right at the edge of the Promised Land, after 40 years of wandering. It was a pivotal moment where the Israelites, poised to enter their inheritance, faced a critical test of faith.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
After 400 years of slavery, God miraculously led the Israelites out of Egypt under Moses' leadership.
c. 1446 BC
Journey to Sinai
The Israelites traveled through the wilderness and arrived at Mount Sinai, where God established His covenant with them.
c. 1445 BC
Wandering in the Wilderness
Due to their disobedience and lack of faith, the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years.
c. 1405 BC— this verse
Israelites Reach Kadesh-Barnea
The Israelites camped at Kadesh-Barnea, on the southern border of the Promised Land, after nearly 40 years of wandering.
c. 1405 BC
Spies Sent into Canaan
Moses, at God's command, sent twelve spies, one from each tribe, to explore the land of Canaan.
c. 1405 BC
Spies Return with Mixed Report
The spies returned after 40 days, bringing samples of the land's fruit but also instilling fear with tales of giants and fortified cities.
This passage directly references the same spies being sent into the hill country, echoing the instruction given in Numbers 13:17 and highlighting God's promise of the land.
Joshua 14:7Caleb, one of the spies sent in Numbers 13, recalls this very mission from Kadesh-barnea, emphasizing the spies' task to explore the land and the southern region (the Negeb).
Psalm 78:55This Psalm recounts God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt and His act of giving them the land, which directly relates to the mission of spying out the land described in Numbers 13.
Jeremiah 33:9This verse speaks of God's intention to bring renown and joy to Israel through the land He promised, a promise that was initially explored by the spies in Numbers 13.
jfbNumbers 13:17: "And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain:"
- Get you up this way … , and go up into the mountain—Mount Seir (De 1:2), which lay directly from Sinai across the wilderness of Paran, in a northeasterly direction into the southern parts of the promised land.
calvinNumbers 13:1-33: "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"
Haec autem sunt nomina eorum. De tribu Ruben, Sammua filius Zachur.
Of the tribe of Simeon; Shaphat the son of Hori.
De tribu Simeon, Saphat filius Hori.
Of the tribe of Judah; Caleb the son of Jephunneh
De tribu Jehuda, Caleb filius Jephuneh.
Of the tribe of Issachar; Igal the son of Joseph.
De tribu Issachar, Igal, filius Joseph.
Of the tribe of Ephraim; Oshea the son of Nun.
De tribu Ephraim, Hosea f…
Moses didn't just tell them to go south; he specifically directed them toward the "Negeb," a region known for its dryness and less hospitable terrain. This strategic instruction implies he wanted them to assess the most challenging parts of the land first, perhaps to temper expectations or to see how they'd handle the initial difficulties.
Right after God commanded Israel to enter the Promised Land, Moses commissions twelve men to scout it out first. He instructs them to travel north into the region known as the Negeb and then head into the hill country, gathering intelligence on the land and its people. Their mission is to see if the land is fertile and if its inhabitants are strong or weak, weak or strong.
Right after God commanded Israel to enter the Promised Land, Moses commissions twelve men to scout it out first. He instructs them to travel north into the region known as the Negeb and then head into the hill country, gathering intelligence on the land and its people. Their mission is to see if the land is fertile and if its inhabitants are strong or weak, weak or strong.
"Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan and said to them, “Go up into the Negeb and go up into the hill country," — Moses didn't just tell them to go south; he specifically directed them toward the "Negeb," a region known for its dryness and less hospitable terrain. This strategic instruction implies he wanted t…
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Last reviewed October 2026