Tyndale Open Study NotesNumbers 13

Twelve spies explored the fertile land of Canaan and found strong enemies defending it. Earlier chapters show Israel's disobedience, hinting at future failures. The Israelites did not have the obedience, courage, or faith to capture the land. So, the Lord made them spend 40 years in the Wilderness of Sinai. That generation did not receive their inheritance in the promised land.

Moses chose a leader from each tribe to explore the land God promised to the Hebrews. The tribes listed are from chapter 1, but the order is different. Caleb and Joshua later prove to be men of faith (14:30).

The scouting mission had a clear military purpose. The spies also needed to gather information about natural resources and food. These things were concerning to the Israelites since they left Egypt (chapter 11; Exodus 16).

The season for harvesting the first ripe grapes came in late July or August, during the summer.

The spies explored the land of Canaan. In contrast to the Sinai wilderness, it was rich and fertile.

• The distance from the Wilderness of Zin to Lebo-hamath in Syria was about 275 miles. The Wilderness of Zin was between the wilderness of Paran and Canaan's southern border see 34:3–5; Joshua 15:1–4). Lebo-hamath means "entrance of Hamath." This could refer to a mountain pass or a city near Hamath.

• The exact location of Rehob is unclear. But it was probably the same as Old Testament Beth-rehob, near a major route to Hamath. This text outlines the approximate borders of the promised land (see 1 Kings 8:65). The phrase from Dan to Beersheba often marked Israel’s traditional boundaries (Judges 20:1; 2 Samuel 3:10). It covered a smaller area than the territory explored by Israel’s spies.

• Israel's spies traveled into Canaan's hill country through the Negev, the dry southern region near the wilderness of Zin. In the southern part of Canaan's central hill country, they reached Hebron. This was where Israel's ancestors had lived (Genesis 13:18; 23:19; 35:27; 37:14).

• The descendants of Anak were famous for their size and strength (for example, Deuteronomy 9:2).

• Zoan (later called Tanis by the Greeks) was a famous city in Egypt's eastern delta (see also Psalms 78:12, 43; Isaiah 19:11–13; 30:3–5).

The spies agreed the land was good, but most doubted Israel could conquer it. The strong and well-fed Canaanites had built fortified towns for protection.

Kadesh is often linked to ‘Ain el-Qudeirat, a spring at the northern border of Sinai and the southern edge of Canaan. There is no evidence of a Hebrew camp there during the exodus or the wilderness wanderings. So, some scholars have suggested that ancient Kadesh was in a different location.

The promised land is also known as land flowing with milk and honey. In biblical times, milk and dairy were key parts of the diet. Milk symbolized abundance (see Deuteronomy 32:14; Isaiah 55:1; Joel 3:18). Honey added sweetness (see Psalms 19:10; 119:103; Ezekiel 3:3; Revelation 10:9–10). The phrase describes a desirable place with plenty of food and resources (compare Numbers 16:13–14; see also Exodus 3:8; Deuteronomy 6:3; 26:15; Jeremiah 11:4–5; Ezekiel 20:6).

The New Testament emphasizes the spiritual nature of God's promises, pointing to a promised inheritance in heaven (see Romans 9:6–8; Galatians 6:14–16; Revelation 21:1–2).

The spies answer the question of 13:18. Many ethnic groups lived in ancient Canaan.

Caleb and Joshua (see 14:6, 10, 30) gave a more positive report about the land than the other spies did (compare 14:31–33).

Nephilim: See the study note on Genesis 6:4.