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

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

The twelve spies were:

• Shammua from the tribe of Reuben
• Shaphat from the tribe of Simeon
• Caleb from the tribe of Judah
• Igal from the tribe of Issachar
• Hoshea (Joshua) from the tribe of Ephraim
• Palti from the tribe of Benjamin
• Gaddiel from the tribe of Zebulun
• Gaddi from the tribe of Manasseh
• Ammiel from the tribe of Dan
• Sethur from the tribe of Asher
• Nahbi from the tribe of Naphtali
• Geuel from the tribe of Gad

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

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

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

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

• Moses
• Joshua
• Caleb
• Book of Numbers
• Canaan
• Exodus