Numbers 13:1
AND THE LORD SPAKE - The mission of the spies was first suggested by the Israelites themselves. See Deuteronomy 1:22.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE LORD SPAKE - The mission of the spies was first suggested by the Israelites themselves. See Deuteronomy 1:22.... [ Continue Reading ]
A RULER - A comparison of the list with that of Numbers 13:1 :5 following shows that they were not the princes of the tribes, but heads of houses or families Numbers 12:4. Of the names here given those of Joshua and Caleb alone are otherwise known to us.... [ Continue Reading ]
Oshea, Hoshea, or Hosea, the name also of the last king of Israel and the first minor prophet, means “deliverance” or and by the hand of him who bore the title of “God’s salvation.” Jehoshua was contracted (compare Nehemiah 8:17) into Jeshua.... [ Continue Reading ]
SOUTHWARD - Rather, “by the Negeb,” or south-country; a well-defined tract of territory forming the southernmost and least fertile portion of the land of Canaan and of the subsequent inheritance of Judah. It extended northward from Kadesh to within a few miles of Hebron, and from the Dead Sea westwa... [ Continue Reading ]
IN TENTS - i. e. in open unwalled villages.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TIME ... OF THE FIRSTRIPE GRAPES - The first grapes ripen in Palestine in July and August: the vintage is gathered in September and October. This indication of date tallies with what we should have inferred from the previous narrative. For the Israelite host had quitted Sinai on the 20th day of... [ Continue Reading ]
The wilderness of Zin was the northeastern portion of the wilderness of Paran. Rehob (“mod.” Khurbeh) was probably the Beth-rehob of Judges 18:28, near Dan-Laish; and apparently to the north of it, since it gave its name to a Syrian kingdom 2 Samuel 8:3. The southern approach to Hamath from the pla... [ Continue Reading ]
The progenitor of the Anakim was Arba “the father of Anak” Joshua 15:13, from whom the city of Hebron took its name of Kirjath-Arba. Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai were probably not individual warriors, but names of three tribes of the Anakim. Hence, we find them still in existence half a century later... [ Continue Reading ]
The brook of Eshcol is by some identified with the rich valley immediately to the north of Hebron; (but by others with Wady Hanein to the south of Hebron). The valley was, in all likelihood, originally named after one of the three chiefs who were confederate with Abraham Genesis 14:24; but, as often... [ Continue Reading ]
AFTER FORTY DAYS - They had no doubt in this time explored the whole land. However, it was with the southern part that the Israelites expected to have to deal immediately: and accordingly it is that which is particularly referred to in the following verses, Hebron and its vicinity above all.... [ Continue Reading ]
Kadesh is usually identified with Ain-el-Weibeh, which lies in the Arabah, about 10 miles north of the place in which Mount Hor abuts on that valley, (or with Ain-Gadis in Jebel Magrah).... [ Continue Reading ]
THE AMALEKITES - See Numbers 14:25 note. THE CANAANITES - i. e. those of the Phoenician race: the word is here used in its narrow sense: compare Genesis 10:15 note.... [ Continue Reading ]
A LAND THAT EATETH UP ... - i. e. it is a land which from its position is exposed to incessant attacks from one quarter and another, and so its occupants must be always armed and watchful.... [ Continue Reading ]