Numbers 13:17
New International Version
When Moses sent them to explore Canaan, he said, “Go up through the Negev and on into the hill country.

New Living Translation
Moses gave the men these instructions as he sent them out to explore the land: “Go north through the Negev into the hill country.

English Standard Version
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,

Berean Standard Bible
When Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, he told them, “Go up through the Negev and into the hill country.

King James Bible
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:

New King James Version
Then Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said to them, “Go up this way into the South, and go up to the mountains,

New American Standard Bible
When Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, he said to them, “Go up there into the Negev; then go up into the hill country.

NASB 1995
When Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, he said to them, “Go up there into the Negev; then go up into the hill country.

NASB 1977
When Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, he said to them, “Go up there into the Negev; then go up into the hill country.

Legacy Standard Bible
So Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan and said to them, “Go up there into the Negev; then go up into the hill country.

Amplified Bible
Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said to them, “Go up this way into the Negev (the South country); then go up into the hill country.

Christian Standard Bible
When Moses sent them to scout out the land of Canaan, he told them, “Go up this way to the Negev, then go up into the hill country.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When Moses sent them to scout out the land of Canaan, he told them, “Go up this way to the Negev, then go up into the hill country.

American Standard Version
And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way by the South, and go up into the hill-country:

Contemporary English Version
Before Moses sent them into Canaan, he said: After you go through the Southern Desert of Canaan, continue north into the hill country

English Revised Version
And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way by the South, and go up into the mountains:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When Moses sent them to explore Canaan, he told them, "Go through the Negev and then into the mountain region.

Good News Translation
When Moses sent them out, he said to them, "Go north from here into the southern part of the land of Canaan and then on into the hill country.

International Standard Version
Then he sent them out to explore the land of Canaan. He instructed them, "Go up from here through the Negev, then ascend to the hill country.

Majority Standard Bible
When Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, he told them, “Go up through the Negev and into the hill country.

NET Bible
When Moses sent them to investigate the land of Canaan, he told them, "Go up through the Negev, and then go up into the hill country

New Heart English Bible
Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said to them, "Go up this way by the Negev, and go up into the hill country:

Webster's Bible Translation
And Moses sent them to explore the land of Canaan, and said to them, Go ye up this way southward, and ascend the mountain:

World English Bible
Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said to them, “Go up this way by the South, and go up into the hill country.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Moses sends them to spy out the land of Canaan and says to them, “Go up this [way] into the south, and you have gone up the mountain,

Young's Literal Translation
And Moses sendeth them to spy the land of Canaan, and saith unto them, 'Go ye up this way into the south, and ye have gone up the mountain,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Moses will send them to search out the land of Canaan, and will say to them, Go ye up hither to the south and ascend the mountain,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Moses sent them to view the land of Chanaan, and said to them: Go you up by the south side. And when you shall come to the mountains,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And so, Moses sent them to examine the land of Canaan, and he said to them: “Ascend by the south side. And when you arrive at the mountains,

New American Bible
In sending them to reconnoiter the land of Canaan, Moses said to them, “Go up there in the Negeb, up into the highlands,

New Revised Standard Version
Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said to them, “Go up there into the Negeb, and go up into the hill country,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said to them, Go up this way into the south, and go up on the mountain

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Moshe sent them to spy the land of Canaan and said to them: “Come up in this way to the south and go up the mountain:
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them: 'Get you up here into the South, and go up into the mountains;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Chanaan, and said to them, Go up by this wilderness; and ye shall go up to the mountain,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Spies Explore Canaan
16These were the names of the men Moses sent to spy out the land; and Moses gave to Hoshea son of Nun the name Joshua. 17When Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, he told them, “Go up through the Negev and into the hill country. 18See what the land is like and whether its people are strong or weak, few or many.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 1:22-25
Then all of you approached me and said, “Let us send men ahead of us to search out the land and bring us word of what route to follow and which cities to enter.” / The plan seemed good to me, so I selected twelve men from among you, one from each tribe. / They left and went up into the hill country, and came to the Valley of Eshcol and spied out the land. ...

Joshua 2:1-24
Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim, saying, “Go, inspect the land, especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there. / And it was reported to the king of Jericho: “Behold, some men of Israel have come here tonight to spy out the land.” / So the king of Jericho sent to Rahab and said, “Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, for they have come to spy out the whole land.” ...

Hebrews 11:1-2
Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see. / This is why the ancients were commended.

Joshua 14:7-8
I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought back to him an honest report. / Although my brothers who went with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear, I remained loyal to the LORD my God.

Deuteronomy 9:23
And when the LORD sent you out from Kadesh-barnea, He said, “Go up and possess the land that I have given you.” But you rebelled against the command of the LORD your God. You neither believed Him nor obeyed Him.

Hebrews 3:16-19
For who were the ones who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? / And with whom was God angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? / And to whom did He swear that they would never enter His rest? Was it not to those who disobeyed? ...

Deuteronomy 31:7-8
Then Moses called for Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you will go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their fathers to give them, and you shall give it to them as an inheritance. / The LORD Himself goes before you; He will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”

Joshua 18:3-4
So Joshua said to the Israelites, “How long will you put off entering and possessing the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you? / Appoint three men from each tribe, and I will send them out to survey the land and map it out, according to the inheritance of each. Then they will return to me

1 Samuel 26:4
David sent out spies to verify that Saul had arrived.

Matthew 10:16
Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

John 7:24
Stop judging by outward appearances, and start judging justly.”

Acts 13:17-19
The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers. He made them into a great people during their stay in Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He led them out of that land. / He endured their conduct for about forty years in the wilderness. / And having vanquished seven nations in Canaan, He gave their land to His people as an inheritance.

1 Corinthians 10:5-11
Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, for they were struck down in the wilderness. / These things took place as examples to keep us from craving evil things as they did. / Do not be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.” ...

Romans 8:31
What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

2 Corinthians 5:7
For we walk by faith, not by sight.


Treasury of Scripture

And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said to them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain:

southward

Numbers 13:21,22
So they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath…

Genesis 12:9
And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.

Genesis 13:1
And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south.

the mountain

Numbers 14:40
And they rose up early in the morning, and gat them up into the top of the mountain, saying, Lo, we be here, and will go up unto the place which the LORD hath promised: for we have sinned.

Genesis 14:10
And the vale of Siddim was full of slimepits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain.

Deuteronomy 1:44
And the Amorites, which dwelt in that mountain, came out against you, and chased you, as bees do, and destroyed you in Seir, even unto Hormah.

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Ascend Canaan Country Explore Hill Hill-Country Search South Southward Spy Way Yonder
Numbers 13
1. The names of the men who were sent to search the land
17. Their instructions
21. Their acts
26. Their relation














When Moses sent them
The phrase begins with Moses, the revered leader of the Israelites, acting under divine instruction. The Hebrew root for "sent" is שָׁלַח (shalach), which implies a commissioning or dispatching with authority. Moses, as God's appointed leader, is executing a divine mandate. This act of sending is not merely logistical but deeply spiritual, as it involves obedience to God's promise to give Israel the land of Canaan. Historically, Moses' leadership is pivotal, as he guides the Israelites through the wilderness, relying on God's direction.

to spy out the land of Canaan
The mission to "spy out" comes from the Hebrew word תּוּר (tur), meaning to explore or scout. This exploration is not just for military strategy but also to witness the fulfillment of God's promise. Canaan, the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, is a land flowing with milk and honey, symbolizing abundance and divine blessing. The act of spying is a test of faith, as the Israelites must trust in God's promise despite the formidable inhabitants of the land. Archaeologically, Canaan was a region of diverse cultures and fortified cities, presenting both a challenge and an opportunity for the Israelites.

he told them
Moses' instructions are authoritative and purposeful. The Hebrew word for "told" is אָמַר (amar), which conveys a sense of declaring or commanding. Moses is not merely giving advice; he is conveying God's will. This highlights the importance of communication in leadership, especially when guiding a people through uncertainty. Moses' words are meant to inspire confidence and obedience among the spies, reminding them of their divine mission.

Go up through the Negev
The Negev, a semi-arid region in southern Israel, serves as the initial point of entry into Canaan. The Hebrew word נֶגֶב (negev) means "dry" or "south," reflecting the region's geography. This journey through the Negev is symbolic of the transition from the wilderness to the promised land. It represents a movement from barrenness to fertility, from wandering to settlement. The Negev's harsh conditions would test the spies' resolve and faith, preparing them for the challenges ahead.

and into the hill country
The "hill country" refers to the central highlands of Canaan, a region known for its strategic and agricultural significance. The Hebrew term הָהָר (har) denotes mountains or elevated terrain. This area was crucial for establishing a foothold in the land, as it provided natural defenses and fertile land for cultivation. Spiritually, ascending into the hill country symbolizes rising to meet God's promises, overcoming obstacles through faith and perseverance. The hill country, with its ancient cities and rich history, would remind the Israelites of God's enduring covenant and the fulfillment of His promises.

(17) Get you up this way southward.--Rather, by the Negeb, or south country (comp. Numbers 13:22). The southern part of Palestine was known by the name of the Negeb. It formed the transition from the desert to the more highly cultivated land, and was more fitted for grazing than for agricultural purposes. (See Wilton's The Negeb.)

Into the mountain.--The word which is here used commonly denotes the hill country, i.e., the mountainous part of Palestine, which was inhabited by the Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites. It is called "the mount of the Amorites" in Deuteronomy 1:7, inasmuch as the Amorites were the strongest of the Canaanite tribes. The same word is rendered "the mountains" in Numbers 13:29. The reference here, however, may be to the particular mountain which was nearest to the encampment of the Israelites (see Numbers 14:40).

Verse 17. - Get you up this way southward. Rather, "get you up there (זֶה) in the Negeb." The Negeb, meaning literally "the dryness," was the south-western district of Canaan, which bordered upon the desert, and partook more or less of its character. Except where springs existed, and irrigation could be carried out, it was unfit for settled habitation. See Joshua 15:19; Judges 1:15, where the same word is used. Go up into the mountain. From the Negeb they were to make their way into the mountain or hill country which formed the back-bone of Southern Palestine, from the Wady Murreh on the south to the plain of Esdraelon on the north. In after ages it formed the permanent center of the Jewish race and Jewish power. Cf. Judges 1:9 where the three natural divisions of Southern Palestine are mentioned together: חָהָר (ἡ ὀρεινή), the mountain; הַגֶּגֶב (ὁ Νότος), the steppe; הַשְּׁפֵלָה (ἡ πεδινή), the maritime plain.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When Moses
מֹשֶׁ֔ה (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

sent
וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח (way·yiš·laḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

them
אֹתָם֙ (’ō·ṯām)
Direct object marker | third person masculine plural
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

to spy out
לָת֖וּר (lā·ṯūr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 8446: To meander, about, for, trade, reconnoitring

the land
אֶ֣רֶץ (’e·reṣ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of Canaan,
כְּנָ֑עַן (kə·nā·‘an)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3667: Canaan -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their land West of the Jordan

he told
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

them,
אֲלֵהֶ֗ם (’ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

“Go up
עֲל֥וּ (‘ă·lū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

through the Negev,
בַּנֶּ֔גֶב (ban·ne·ḡeḇ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5045: South country, the Negeb, south

and
וַעֲלִיתֶ֖ם (wa·‘ă·lî·ṯem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

into the hill country.
הָהָֽר׃ (hā·hār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country


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OT Law: Numbers 13:17 Moses sent them to spy out (Nu Num.)
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