Numbers - Chapter 13

Numbers 13.1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Numbers 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. Numbers 13.3 And Moses by the commandment of the LORD sent them from the wilderness of Paran: all those men were heads of the children of Israel. Numbers 13.4 And these were their names: of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur. Numbers 13.5 Of the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat the son of Hori. Numbers 13.6 Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh. Numbers 13.7 Of the tribe of Issachar, Igal the son of Joseph. Numbers 13.8 Of the tribe of Ephraim, Oshea the son of Nun. Numbers 13.9 Of the tribe of Benjamin, Palti the son of Raphu. Numbers 13.10 Of the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi. Numbers 13.11 Of the tribe of Joseph, namely, of the tribe of Manasseh, Gaddi the son of Susi. Numbers 13.12 Of the tribe of Dan, Ammiel the son of Gemalli. Numbers 13.13 Of the tribe of Asher, Sethur the son of Michael. Numbers 13.14 Of the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi. Numbers 13.15 Of the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi. Numbers 13.16 These are the names of the men which Moses sent to spy out the land. And Moses called Oshea the son of Nun Jehoshua. Numbers 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: Numbers 13.18 And see the land, what it is, and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many; Numbers 13.19 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; Numbers 13.20 And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be ye of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the firstripe grapes. Numbers 13.21 So they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath. Numbers 13.22 And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.) Numbers 13.23 And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff; and they brought of the pomegranates, and of the figs. Numbers 13.24 The place was called the brook Eshcol, because of the cluster of grapes which the children of Israel cut down from thence. Numbers 13.25 And they returned from searching of the land after forty days. Numbers 13.26 And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land. Numbers 13.27 And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it. Numbers 13.28 Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there. Numbers 13.29 The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan. Numbers 13.30 And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. Numbers 13.31 But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. Numbers 13.32 And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. Numbers 13.33 And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.

Numbers : Chapter 13

Reflection on Numbers Chapter 13

Numbers chapter 13 recounts the sending of spies into the Promised Land, an event that raises profound questions about the faith and fear that shape our perspective. In this pivotal passage, we discover not only the beauty and fertility of the land of Canaan, but also the perceived challenges that arise from it. The chapter culminates with the spies' contradictory report, highlighting the different attitudes toward God's promises.

Themes Covered

This chapter invites us to reflect on crucial themes such as trust, courage, and the importance of a spiritual perspective. It is essential to consider how our perspective can be influenced by our faith, or lack thereof. In this regard, we invite you to meditate on five biblical passages that shed light on the principles of faith and vision presented in this decisive chapter.

Enlightening Bible Passages

Joshua 14:7-9

"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 him back a report according to my conviction, but my fellow Israelites who were with me made the people faint for fear. But I followed the Lord my God with all my heart. »

In this passage, Caleb recalls the events of Numbers 13, emphasizing his faithfulness and faith, in contrast to the other spies who sowed doubt.

Deuteronomy 1:22

"Then you all came to me and said, 'Let us send men ahead of us to spy out the land for us and bring us back a report on how we should go up and what cities we will find.' » »

This verse provides additional context for the spies' mission, highlighting the importance of divine guidance in our choices.

Hebrews 3:19

"So we see that it was because of unbelief that they could not enter."

This passage interprets the events of Numbers 13-14, attributing the inability to enter the land to a lack of faith.

Psalms 106:24-25

"Then they rejected the desirable land; They did not believe God's promise. They complained in their tents and did not obey the Lord."

This psalm summarizes the people's reaction to the spies' report, highlighting the consequences of unbelief.

1 Corinthians 10:5

"However, God was not pleased with most of them; so their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. »

In this passage, Paul evokes the tragic consequences of the Israelites' lack of faith after the spies' report, reminding us of the importance of our commitment to God.

By meditating on these scriptures, we are called to cultivate a strong faith and clear vision, so that we may walk confidently in the promises God has for us.