See what the land is like and whether its people are strong or weak, few or many. See what the land is likeThe Hebrew word for "see" is "רָאָה" (ra'ah), which means to look at, inspect, perceive, or consider. This command to "see" is not merely about physical sight but involves a deeper understanding and discernment. The land of Canaan, promised to the Israelites, was to be evaluated not just for its physical attributes but for its potential to fulfill God's promises. This phrase invites the spies to engage in a comprehensive assessment, reflecting the importance of wisdom and discernment in spiritual journeys. and whether its people are strong or weak
The Hebrew words for "strong" (חָזָק, chazaq) and "weak" (רָפֶה, raphah) provide a contrast between might and frailty. This assessment of the inhabitants' strength is crucial for the Israelites, who are about to enter a land occupied by established nations. Historically, the Canaanites were known for their fortified cities and warrior culture. The evaluation of strength versus weakness is not just a military concern but also a spiritual metaphor for the challenges believers face when confronting worldly powers. It underscores the need for reliance on God's strength rather than human might. few or many
The Hebrew words "מְעַט" (me'at) for "few" and "רַב" (rav) for "many" highlight the numerical aspect of the Canaanite population. This consideration of population size is significant in the context of ancient warfare and settlement. A larger population could imply greater resistance, while a smaller one might suggest easier conquest. However, from a scriptural perspective, the emphasis is on God's ability to deliver victory regardless of human odds. This phrase encourages believers to trust in divine providence rather than be swayed by numerical strength, echoing the biblical theme that God often uses the few to overcome the many. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites who sent the twelve spies, including Joshua and Caleb, to explore the land of Canaan. 2. The Twelve SpiesRepresentatives from each of the twelve tribes of Israel tasked with scouting the Promised Land. 3. CanaanThe land promised by God to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, which the Israelites were to inherit. 4. IsraelitesThe people of God, descendants of the twelve tribes of Israel, who were journeying from Egypt to the Promised Land. 5. The Wilderness of ParanThe location from which the spies were sent to explore Canaan. Teaching Points Faith in God's PromisesThe exploration of Canaan was an opportunity for the Israelites to trust in God's promise of the land. Believers today are called to trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seem daunting. The Importance of ObedienceMoses' instruction to the spies highlights the importance of obedience to God's commands. Christians are reminded to follow God's guidance in their lives. Assessing Challenges with WisdomThe task given to the spies was to assess the land and its people. Believers should approach life's challenges with wisdom and discernment, seeking God's perspective. Community and LeadershipThe selection of leaders from each tribe to spy the land underscores the role of community and leadership in God's plan. Christians are encouraged to support and pray for their leaders. Courage in the Face of AdversityThe spies' mission required courage. Similarly, believers are called to be courageous in their faith, trusting that God is with them in every situation. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the task given to the spies in Numbers 13:18 reflect the balance between human responsibility and divine promise? 2. In what ways can we apply the principle of assessing challenges with wisdom and faith in our personal lives today? 3. How does the account of the twelve spies relate to the concept of faith as described in Hebrews 11? 4. What role does community play in discerning and following God's will, as seen in the selection of the twelve spies? 5. How can we cultivate courage in our spiritual journey, drawing from the example of the spies sent to Canaan? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 1:22-25This passage recounts the same event, providing additional context about the people's request to send spies and the subsequent report. Joshua 2The account of Rahab and the spies sent by Joshua to Jericho, showing a later instance of reconnaissance in the conquest of Canaan. Hebrews 11:1-2, 6These verses discuss faith, which is central to the Israelites' journey and their trust in God's promises despite the challenges they faced. People Aaron, Ahiman, Amalek, Amalekites, Ammiel, Amorites, Anak, Asher, Benjamin, Caleb, Canaanites, Dan, Eshcol, Gad, Gaddi, Gaddiel, Gemalli, Geuel, Hittites, Hori, Hoshea, Igal, Israelites, Issachar, Jebusites, Jehoshua, Jephunneh, Joseph, Joshua, Machi, Manasseh, Michael, Moses, Nahbi, Naphtali, Nun, Oshea, Palti, Raphu, Rehob, Reuben, Sethur, Shammua, Shaphat, Sheshai, Simeon, Sodi, Susi, Talmai, Vophsi, Zaccur, ZebulunPlaces Canaan, Egypt, Hebron, Kadesh-barnea, Lebo-hamath, Negeb, Paran, Rehob, Sinai, Valley of Eshcol, Wilderness of Paran, Zin, ZoanTopics Dwell, Dwelleth, Dwelling, Feeble, Strong, Therein, Weak, WhetherDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 13:18 8358 weakness, physical Numbers 13:1-20 5552 spies Numbers 13:17-20 4926 delay, human Library Afraid of Giants
'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; 18. And see the land, what it is; and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many; 19. And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds; 20. And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Spies
THE UNBELIEF OF THE CHILDREN of Israel, prompted them to send spies into Canaan. God had told them that it was a good land, and he had promised to drive out their enemies, they ought therefore to have marched forward with all confidence to possess the promised heritage. Instead of this, they send twelve princes to spy out the land, and "alas, for human nature," ten of these were faithless, and only two true to the Lord. Read over the narrative, and mark the ill effect of the lying message, and the …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858 Exploring Canaan by Faith
EXPLORING CANAAN BY FAITH I can not understand faith. What is faith, anyway? I try to believe; sometimes I feel that my faith is strong, but at other times I feel that my faith is giving way. Can you help me in this matter? Faith seems such a hazy, intangible, elusive thing; now I think I have it, now it seems certain I have it not. I feel at times that my faith is so strong I could believe anything, then again I feel that every bit of faith I had is gone. Can you give me any instructions that will …
Robert Lee Berry—Adventures in the Land of Canaan Canaan
Canaan was the inheritance which the Israelites won for themselves by the sword. Their ancestors had already settled in it in patriarchal days. Abraham "the Hebrew" from Babylonia had bought in it a burying-place near Hebron; Jacob had purchased a field near Shechem, where he could water his flocks from his own spring. It was the "Promised Land" to which the serfs of the Pharaoh in Goshen looked forward when they should again become free men and find a new home for themselves. Canaan had ever been …
Archibald Sayce—Early Israel and the Surrounding Nations Hebron
From Jericho we proceed to Hebron, far off in situation, but next to it in dignity: yea, there was a time, when it went before Jerusalem itself in name and honour;--namely, while the first foundations of the kingdom of David were laid; and, at that time, Jericho was buried in rubbish, and Jerusalem was trampled upon by the profane feet of the Jebusites. Hebron was placed, as in the mountainous country of Judea, so in a place very rocky, but yet in a very fruitful coast. "There is no place, in all …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica An Unfulfilled Desire
'... Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!'--NUM. xxiii. 10. '... Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.'--NUM. xiii. 8. Ponder these two pictures. Take the first scene. A prophet, who knows God and His will, is standing on the mountain top, and as he looks down over the valley beneath him, with its acacia-trees and swift river, there spread the tents of Israel. He sees them, and knows that they are 'a people whom the Lord hath blessed.' Brought there …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Epistle xvii. To Felix, Bishop of Messana.
To Felix, Bishop of Messana. To our most reverend brother, the Bishop Felix, Gregory, servant of the servants of God [246] . Our Head, which is Christ, to this end has willed us to be His members, that through His large charity and faithfulness He might make us one body in Himself, to whom it befits us so to cling that, since without Him we can do nothing, through Him we may be enabled to be what we are called. From the citadel of the Head let nothing divide us, lest, if we refuse to be His members, …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great Annunciation of the Birth of Jesus.
(at Nazareth, b.c. 5.) ^C Luke I. 26-38. ^c 26 Now in the sixth month [this is the passage from which we learn that John was six months older than Jesus] the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth [Luke alone tells us where Mary lived before the birth of Jesus. That Nazareth was an unimportant town is shown by the fact that it is mentioned nowhere in the Old Testament, nor in the Talmud, nor in Josephus, who mentions two hundred four towns and cities of Galilee. The …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6 Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Numbers 13:18 NIVNumbers 13:18 NLTNumbers 13:18 ESVNumbers 13:18 NASBNumbers 13:18 KJV
Numbers 13:18 Commentaries
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