Numbers 13:2
“Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel. From each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a chief among them.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The instruction to send a "chief" or "ruler" from each tribe highlights that these weren't just ordinary men, but respected leaders chosen for their maturity and ability to command confidence, even before they encountered the imposing giants of Canaan. This detail underscores that even when God gives a promise, He often works through established structures and the character of His people.
Fresh from their exodus and standing on the edge of their promised inheritance, the Israelites are poised to enter Canaan. At the people's request, God instructs Moses to select twelve respected leaders, one from each of the main tribes, to scout the land. These chosen men are to observe its quality, its inhabitants, and its defenses before the people make their advance into this new territory.
Did God tell Moses to send spies, or did something else happen?
This verse, Numbers 13:2, sounds like a direct command from God: 'Send men...' But looking closely, and comparing it with Deuteronomy 1:22-24, we see a different picture.
Who were these twelve men God (or Moses) chose, and why were they important?
God wasn't just picking random guys off the street to scout out Canaan. The verse specifies that 'every one a ruler among them' should be sent.
Understand the original words
Kena'an · Hebrew Proper Noun
A geographical region identified in the Bible as the territory promised by God to Abraham and his descendants; symbolically represents the inheritance and the rest provided by God to His people.
matteh · Hebrew Noun
A sociological and administrative division of the people of Israel based on ancestral lineage from Jacob’s sons; serves as the primary organizational structure for the nation.
This mission wasn't God's primary plan for conquest; it arose from the people's fear and request. It highlights the tension between human apprehension and divine promise, ultimately showing how a lack of faith can derail God's purposes.
c. 1446 BC
Israelites Depart Egypt
After 400 years of slavery and God's miraculous deliverance through Moses, the Israelites begin their journey from Egypt toward the Promised Land. They are a newly formed nation, unaccustomed to self-governance and military action.
c. 1446 BC
Arrival at Kadesh-Barnea
The Israelites reach the southern border of the Promised Land, a place called Kadesh-Barnea. This marks a crucial point where they must decide whether to enter the land or turn back.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
People Request Spies
At the people's urging, Moses, with God's permission, agrees to send scouts to survey the land of Canaan. This decision is made out of the people's fear and distrust, rather than as a direct command from God for military strategy.
c. 1446 BC
The Spies Explore Canaan
Twelve men, one from each of the ten non-Levitical tribes (with Joseph's tribe split into Ephraim and Manasseh), are chosen. They spend forty days exploring the land, assessing its inhabitants, cities, and resources.
This passage describes the people's request to send spies, highlighting that the mission originated from their initiative, not solely God's command, adding context to the LORD's instruction in Numbers 13:2.
Joshua 14:7This verse directly references Caleb, one of the spies sent out in Numbers 13, showing his faithfulness and recounting his experience of the land from that mission.
Joshua 2:1This passage shows Joshua, also one of the spies sent in Numbers 13, taking the initiative to send out spies again as the Israelites prepared to enter the land, mirroring the earlier mission.
Psalm 106:24This psalm reflects on Israel's rebellion, mentioning how they 'despised the promised land, not believing his word,' which is the ultimate outcome of the spies' report that followed this mission.
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…
ellicottNumbers 13:2: "Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them."
(2) Every one a ruler among them.— Or, a prince among them, as in Numbers 1:16 . A comparison of the names which follow with those which are given in Numbers 1:5-15 will show that the persons selected were not the tribal princes who are mentioned in connection with the census. The tribe of Levi, as in…
The instruction to send a "chief" or "ruler" from each tribe highlights that these weren't just ordinary men, but respected leaders chosen for their maturity and ability to command confidence, even before they encountered the imposing giants of Canaan. This detail underscores that even when God gives a promise, He often works through established structures and the character of His people.
Fresh from their exodus and standing on the edge of their promised inheritance, the Israelites are poised to enter Canaan. At the people's request, God instructs Moses to select twelve respected leaders, one from each of the main tribes, to scout the land. These chosen men are to observe its quality, its inhabitants, and its defenses before the people make their advance into this new territory.
Fresh from their exodus and standing on the edge of their promised inheritance, the Israelites are poised to enter Canaan. At the people's request, God instructs Moses to select twelve respected leaders, one from each of the main tribes, to scout the land. These chosen men are to observe its quality, its inhabitants, and its defenses before the people make their advance into this new territory.
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c. 1446 BC
Return and Report
The spies return to the Israelite camp, bringing back samples of the land's fruit but also a fearful report about its fortified cities and strong inhabitants, including the Anakites.
c. 1446 BC
Spies' Negative Report and Rebellion
Ten of the twelve spies deliver a discouraging report, emphasizing the land's dangers and their own perceived weakness. This fuels fear and leads to open rebellion against Moses and God's command to advance.
c. 1406 BC
Spies' Report Leads to 40 Years of Wandering
Because of the people's rebellion following the spies' negative report, God decrees that the generation that came out of Egypt will not enter the Promised Land. They will wander in the wilderness for forty years, until that generation perishes.
"“Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel. From each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a chief among them.”" — The instruction to send a "chief" or "ruler" from each tribe highlights that these weren't just ordinary men, but respected leaders chosen for their maturity and ability to command confidence, even b…
