XIII. (1) AND THE LORD SPAKE UNTO MOSES... — There is no inconsistency between this statement and that which is contained in Deuteronomy 1:22, where the sending of the spies is represented as having originated with the people. It is there said that the saying pleased Moses well; but it would be who... [ Continue Reading ]
EVERY ONE A RULER AMONG THEM. — Or, _a prince among them,_ as in Numbers 1:16. A comparison of the names which follow with those which are given in Numbers 1:5 will show that the persons selected were not the tribal princes who are mentioned in connection with the census. The tribe of Levi, as in th... [ Continue Reading ]
AND MOSES, BY THE COMMANDMENT OF THE LORD, SENT THEM, &C. — Better, _And Moses sent them, from the wilderness of Paran, according to the command_ (literally, the mouth) _of the Lord, i.e.,_ as appears from Deuteronomy 1:19. from Kadesh-barnea.... [ Continue Reading ]
CALEB THE SON OF JEPHUNNEH. — In three places — viz., in Numbers 32:12; and in Joshua 14:6; Joshua 14:14 — Caleb is described as the Kenezite (or rather, the Kenizzite). Now in Genesis 15:19 the Kenizzites are mentioned as one of the Canaanite tribes, and in Genesis 36:11; Genesis 36:15, Kenaz occur... [ Continue Reading ]
OF THE TRIBE OF EPHRAIM. — It has been supposed that there is some displacement of the text in this verse. Thus far the order of the tribes is the same as in Numbers 1:5. After Issachar, Zebulun (the sixth son of Leah) would naturally follow, as in Numbers 1:9, and Ephraim and Manasseh would natural... [ Continue Reading ]
AND MOSES CALLED OSHEA... — It is not distinctly stated that the change of name took place at this time. It may have taken place at an earlier period, and have been confirmed on the present occasion, as in the case of _Israel_ (Genesis 32:28; Genesis 35:10), and of _Bethel_ (Genesis 28:19; Genesis 3... [ Continue Reading ]
GET YOU UP THIS WAY SOUTHWARD. — Rather, _by the Negeb,_ or _south country_ (comp. Numbers 13:22). The southern part of Palestine was known by the name of _the Negeb._ It formed the transition from the desert to the more highly cultivated land, and was more fitted for grazing than for agricultural p... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SEE THE LAND. — Or, _inspect the land._ The same word is used of the inspection of the leper by the priest in Leviticus 13:3; Leviticus 13:5; Leviticus 13:10; Leviticus 13:13, &c.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHETHER IN TENTS. — Better, _in camps, i.e.,_ in open villages and hamlets, as contrasted with strongholds or fortified places.... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW THE TIME... — The first grapes ripen in Palestine as early as August, or even July, although the vintage does not take place until September or October.... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM THE WILDERNESS OF ZIN. — The name of the wilderness of Zin, in which Kadesh was situated, appears to have been given to the northern or northeastern part of the wilderness of Paran. Comp. Numbers 20:1; Numbers 27:14; Numbers 33:36; Numbers 34:3; Deuteronomy 32:51; Joshua 15:1; Joshua 15:3. UNTO... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY ASCENDED BY THE SOUTH, AND CAME. — The latter verb is in the singular number in the Hebrew text: _he came._ It is quite possible that the twelve spies may not always have been together, and that one only may have gone to Hebron. ANIMAN, SHESHAI, AND TALMAI. — Some suppose these to be the n... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BROOK OF ESHCOL. — This is commonly identified with the valley of Hebron. Ritter says that the reputation of the grapes of Hebron is so great throughout all Palestine that there is no difficulty in believing that the valley of Eshcol was that which is directly north of the city of Hebron. The va... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PLACE WAS CALLED... — This verse states the reason why the valley was so called by the Israelites, but does not determine the question whether it originally derived its name from Eshcol or not.... [ Continue Reading ]
AFTER FORTY DAYS. — This time allowed a full and careful exploration of the land.... [ Continue Reading ]
TO KADESH. — Robinson and others identify Kadeeh with _Ain-el-Weibeh,_ which is in the Arabah, about ten miles north of the place in which Mount Hor abuts on that valley. On the other hand, Mr. Wilton, in _The Negeb_ (pp. 79, 80), and Mr. Palmer in the _Desert of the Exodus_ (Numbers 25), maintain t... [ Continue Reading ]
NEVERTHELESS THE PEOPLE BE STRONG... — The spies adopted the words of Exodus 3:8, “flowing with milk and honey,” as descriptive of the fertility of the land of Canaan, but at the same time they discouraged the hearts of their brethren by their description of the strength of the fortified cities and... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LAND OF THE SOUTH. — Better, _of the south country,_ or _the Negeb._ See Genesis 36:12, and also Numbers 13:17 of this Num. and Note. THE MOUNTAINS. — See Genesis 10:15, and Numbers 13:17 of this Num. and Note. THE CANAANITES. — See Genesis 10:15; Genesis 13:7, and Notes.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND CALEB STILLED THE PEOPLE. — The fact that Caleb alone is mentioned in this place is by no means inconsistent with the statement which is contained in Numbers 14:6, from which it appears that Joshua and Caleb concurred in exhorting the people to go up and take possession of the land of promise. I... [ Continue Reading ]
A LAND THAT EATETH UP THE INHABITANTS THEREOF. — Some understand by this phrase a land of scarcity, unable to support its inhabitants; others understand it as denoting an unhealthy land, in which sense it appears to be still used in the East. (See Roberts’ _Oriental Illustrations,_ p. 101, 8vo, 1844... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THERE WE SAW THE GIANTS. — The same word, _nephilim._ is here used which is found in Genesis 6:4. See Note _in loc._... [ Continue Reading ]