Bible Strands
Numbers 13:2
“Send out for yourself men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each of their fathers’ tribes send one man who is a leader among them.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The LORD speaks to Moses in the wilderness, commanding him to organize a reconnaissance mission before the Israelites enter the territory God is providing them.
The words — The imperative שְׁלַח (shelach) means “send out,” paired with וְיָתֻרוּ (ve-yaturu), “so they may spy out,” framing the mission as a deliberate act of observation rather than conquest.
The thread — This directive echoes in Deuteronomy 1:22, where the people request scouts, and is referenced in Numbers 32:8 regarding the failure of the earlier generation, while Numbers 34:18 later establishes a parallel protocol for tribal land distribution.
Why it lands — The text requires a reader to recognize that divine provision is preceded by human observation, demanding careful assessment of what God has promised before action is taken.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 1:22 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.”
- Numbers 32:8 This is what your fathers did when I sent them from Kadesh-barnea to inspect the land.
- Numbers 34:18 Appoint one leader from each tribe to distribute the land.
- Exodus 18:25 So Moses chose capable men from all Israel and made them heads over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.
- Numbers 1:4 And one man from each tribe, the head of each family, must be there with you.
- Numbers 11:16 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Bring Me seventy of the elders of Israel known to you as leaders and officers of the people. Bring them to the Tent of Meeting and have them stand there with you.
- Deuteronomy 1:15 So I took the leaders of your tribes, wise and respected men, and appointed them as leaders over you—as commanders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens, and as officers for your tribes.
- Joshua 2:1 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.