King James Version

What Does Numbers 13:2 Mean?

Numbers 13:2 in the King James Version says “Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of thei...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them.”

Numbers 13:2 · KJV

Context

1

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

2

Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them.

3

And Moses by the commandment of the LORD sent them from the wilderness of Paran: all those men were heads of the children of Israel.

4

And these were their names: of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur.

Read Numbers 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God commands Moses to send spies into Canaan, saying 'which I give unto the children of Israel,' using the present tense to indicate the certainty of His promise despite Canaanite occupation. The scouting mission's purpose was reconnaissance—learning the land's character, the people's strength, and the cities' fortifications—not determining whether conquest was possible. God had already promised the land; the spies were to discover how to approach the conquest strategically. Tragically, ten of twelve spies would return with faithless reports, causing Israel to refuse to enter the land despite God's promise. This demonstrates how human unbelief can reject divine promises when circumstances appear unfavorable. The command to send 'of every tribe of their fathers...a ruler among them' ensured representative leadership and prevented claims that only one tribe's perspective was represented. The twelve spies were respected leaders, not random individuals, making their subsequent faithless report even more tragic. This incident teaches that spiritual leadership doesn't guarantee spiritual faithfulness, and that even leaders can fall into unbelief when trusting their own assessment rather than God's promise.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The scouting expedition occurred during Israel's approach to Canaan from the south, based at Kadesh-barnea in the Negev wilderness. The spies spent forty days exploring Canaan from the southern Negev to northern Lebanon ('from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath,' Numbers 13:21). They saw fortified Canaanite cities, grape clusters so large two men carried them on a pole (13:23), and the Anakim giants (descendants of Nephilim) who terrified them (13:28,33). Archaeological evidence confirms Canaan during the Late Bronze Age (15th-13th centuries BCE) featured heavily fortified cities with massive walls, professional armies, and Egyptian oversight (the region was under Egyptian hegemony). From a human military perspective, Israel's conquest seemed impossible—an untested mob of escaped slaves attempting to conquer established kingdoms. Yet God had promised the land, and Caleb and Joshua's minority report ('we are well able to overcome it,' 13:30) demonstrated that faith trusts God's promise despite unfavorable circumstances.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's present-tense promise ('which I give') despite Canaanite occupation teach about faith versus sight?
  2. What does the spies' failure warn about the danger of evaluating God's promises based on human assessment of circumstances?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
תִּשְׁלָ֔חוּ1 of 22

“Send”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

לְךָ֣2 of 22
H0
אֲנָשִׁ֗ים3 of 22

“thou men”

H582

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

וְיָתֻ֙רוּ֙4 of 22

“that they may search”

H8446

to meander (causatively, guide) about, especially for trade or reconnoitring

אֶת5 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֶ֣רֶץ6 of 22

“the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

כְּנַ֔עַן7 of 22

“of Canaan”

H3667

kenaan, a son a ham; also the country inhabited by him

אֲשֶׁר8 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אֲנִ֥י9 of 22
H589

i

נֹתֵ֖ן10 of 22

“which I give”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לִבְנֵ֣י11 of 22

“unto the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל12 of 22

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אִ֨ישׁ13 of 22

“of every”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֶחָ֜ד14 of 22

“a man”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

אִ֨ישׁ15 of 22

“of every”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֶחָ֜ד16 of 22

“a man”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

לְמַטֵּ֤ה17 of 22

“tribe”

H4294

a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),

אֲבֹתָיו֙18 of 22

“of their fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

תִּשְׁלָ֔חוּ19 of 22

“Send”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

כֹּ֖ל20 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

נָשִׂ֥יא21 of 22

“every one a ruler”

H5387

properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist

בָהֶֽם׃22 of 22
H0

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Numbers 13:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Numbers 13:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 1:22-25Numbers 32:8Numbers 34:18Joshua 2:1-24Numbers 1:4Deuteronomy 1:15

Places in This Verse

CanaanRegion · Modern: Canaan · 32.77°N, 35.33°E101 verses across 16 books
View all places in Numbers 13 →

Test Your Knowledge

Numbers 13 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterNumbers Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Numbers 13 with CommentaryAll Numbers ChaptersComplete Numbers QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes