The Twelve Spies

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Tissot The Grapes of Canaan

The Twelve Spies were a group of Israelite leaders sent by Moses to scout the land of Canaan during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. This event is detailed in the Book of Numbers in the Hebrew Bible.

Biblical Account[edit | edit source]

The story of the Twelve Spies is found in Numbers 13 and Numbers 14. According to the narrative, Moses sent one leader from each of the twelve tribes of Israel to explore Canaan and report back on the land's conditions, its inhabitants, and its cities. The spies were instructed to assess the fertility of the land, the strength of its people, and the fortifications of its cities.

The Spies and Their Report[edit | edit source]

The twelve spies were:

After forty days of exploration, the spies returned with a mixed report. They confirmed that Canaan was a land "flowing with milk and honey" and brought back a cluster of grapes as evidence of its fertility. However, ten of the spies reported that the inhabitants were powerful and the cities were fortified and large, causing fear among the Israelites.

Caleb and Joshua[edit | edit source]

Two of the spies, Caleb and Joshua, gave a positive report and urged the Israelites to trust in God and proceed to take the land. They believed that with God's help, the Israelites could overcome the inhabitants of Canaan. Despite their encouragement, the Israelites were swayed by the negative report of the other ten spies and rebelled against Moses and Aaron.

Consequences[edit | edit source]

As a result of their lack of faith, God decreed that the Israelites would wander in the wilderness for forty years, one year for each day the spies spent exploring Canaan. Only Caleb and Joshua were exempt from this punishment and were promised that they would enter the Promised Land.

Significance[edit | edit source]

The story of the Twelve Spies is significant in Jewish and Christian traditions as it highlights themes of faith, trust in God, and the consequences of disobedience. It also serves as a prelude to the eventual conquest of Canaan under Joshua's leadership.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

External Links[edit | edit source]

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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD