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The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 13:24
The place was called the brook Eshcol, because of the cluster. It is very probable that it was already known as the valley of Eshcol, from the friend of Abraham, who bore that name and lived in that neighbourhood (Genes…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 13:25
They returned … after forty days. This is a period of time which constantly recurs in the sacred books (see on Exodus 24:18). It points to the fact that their work was completely done, and the land thoroughly explored.
Matthew Henry on Numbers 13:26-33
We may wonder that the people of Israel staid forty days for the return of their spies, when they were ready to enter Canaan, under all the assurances of success they could have from the Divine power, and the miracles t…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 13:26-33
It is a wonder how the people of Israel had patience to stay forty days for the return of their spies, when they were just ready to enter Canaan, under all the assurances of success they could have from the divine power…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 13:26
To Kadesh (see note at the end of Numbers 14:1-45).
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 13:27
It floweth with milk and honey. According to the promise of God in his first message of deliverance to the people (see on Exodus 3:8).
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 13:28
Nevertheless. אֶפֶס כִּי. "Only that." Septuagint, ἀλλ ἢ ὅτι. The people be strong. Moses himself had directed their attention to this point, and now they dwell on it to the exclusion of everything else.
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 13:29
The Amalekites. These descendants of Esau (see on Genesis 36:12) formed wild roving bands, which (like the Bedouins of the present day) infested rather than inhabited the whole country between Judaea and Egypt, includin…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 13:30
Caleb stilled the people. That Caleb alone is named here, whereas Joshua is elsewhere joined with him in the matter (as in Joshua 14:6, 30), has been considered strange; but it is not difficult to supply a probable expl…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 13:31
For they are stronger than we. In point of numbers the enormous superiority of the Israelites over any combination likely to oppose them must have been evident to the most cowardly. But the existence of numerous walled…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 13:32
A land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof. This cannot mean that the people died of starvation, pestilence, or other natural causes, which would have been contrary to facts and to their own report. It must mean that…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 13:33
The giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants, אֶת־הַנְּפִילים בְּנִי עַנָק מִן־הַנְּפִלים. The Nephilim, Beni-Anak, of the Nephilim. The Septuagint has only τοὺς γίγαντας. The Nephilim are, without doubt, th…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 14:1-4
Those who do not trust God, continually vex themselves. The sorrow of the world worketh death. The Israelites murmured against Moses and Aaron, and in them reproached the Lord. They look back with causeless discontent.…
The Murmuring of the Israelites. (b. c. 1490.)
THE MURMURING OF THE ISRAELITES. (B. C. 1490.) Here we see what mischief the evil spies made by their unfair representation. We may suppose that these twelve that were impanelled to enquire concerning Canaan had talked…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 14:5-10
Moses and Aaron were astonished to see a people throw away their own mercies. Caleb and Joshua assured the people of the goodness of the land. They made nothing of the difficulties in the way of their gaining it. If men…
The Expostulation of Joshua and Caleb. (b. c. 1490.)
THE EXPOSTULATION OF JOSHUA AND CALEB. (B. C. 1490.) The friends of Israel here interpose to save them if possible from ruining themselves, but in vain. The physicians of their state would have healed them, but they wou…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 14:11-19
Moses made humble intercession for Israel. Herein he was a type of Christ, who prayed for those that despitefully used him. The pardon of a nation's sin, is the turning away the nation's punishment; and for that Moses i…
The Intercession of Moses. (b. c. 1490.)
THE INTERCESSION OF MOSES. (B. C. 1490.) Here is, I. The righteous sentence which God gave against Israel for their murmuring and unbelief, which, though afterwards mitigated, showed what was the desert of their sin and…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 14:20-35
The Lord granted the prayer of Moses so far as not at once to destroy the congregation. But disbelief of the promise forbids the benefit. Those who despise the pleasant land shall be shut out of it. The promise of God s…
God's Answer to Moses; The Israelites Threatened. (b. c. 1490.)
GOD'S ANSWER TO MOSES; THE ISRAELITES THREATENED. (B. C. 1490.) We have here God's answer to the prayer of Moses, which sings both of mercy and judgment. It is given privately to Moses (Numbers 14:20-25), and then direc…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 14:36-39
Here is the sudden death of the ten evil spies. They sinned in bringing a slander upon the land of promise. Those greatly provoke God, who misrepresent religion, raise dislike in men's minds toward it, or give opportuni…
Death of the Evil Spies. (b. c. 1490.)
DEATH OF THE EVIL SPIES. (B. C. 1490.) Here is, I. The sudden death of the ten evil spies. While the sentence was passing upon the people, before it was published, they died of the plague before the Lord, Numbers 14:36-…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 14:40-45
Some of the Israelites were now earnest to go forward toward Canaan. But it came too late. If men would but be as earnest for heaven while their day of grace lasts, as they will be when it is over, how well would it be…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 15:1-21
Full instructions are given about the meat-offerings and drink-offerings. The beginning of this law is very encouraging, When ye come into the land of your habitation which I give unto you. This was a plain intimation t…