The Beginning: The LORD instructed Moses to send one man from each tribe to spy out the land of Canaan that God was giving to Israel. From the wilderness at Kadesh, twelve leaders were appointed and sent to observe the land, its people, and its defenses. They were also to bring back fruit as evidence of the land’s produce.
The Middle: The spies traveled through Canaan and returned after forty days with a cluster of grapes and other fruit, confirming the land was fruitful. However, most of the spies emphasized the strength of the inhabitants and the fortified cities, concluding that Israel could not overcome them. Caleb urged the people to go up at once, trusting that the LORD would give victory, while the others spread fear and discouragement. The community reacted with loud lament, anger toward Moses and Aaron, and talk of appointing a leader to return to Egypt.
The End: Joshua and Caleb tore their clothes and pleaded with Israel not to rebel, insisting that the LORD was with them and the land was exceedingly good. The people threatened violence, but the LORD’s glory appeared, and God pronounced judgment for the nation’s unbelief. Israel would wander forty years in the wilderness—one year for each day the spies searched the land—until that generation died, while Joshua and Caleb would enter. When the people attempted a premature invasion without the LORD’s presence, they were defeated.
This account highlights God’s faithfulness to His covenant promise to give Israel the land, while also exposing the seriousness of unbelief and rebellion within the covenant community. The contrast between the majority report and the faith of Joshua and Caleb shows that the decisive issue is not the land’s difficulty but whether God’s people trust God’s word and presence. God’s judgment is portrayed as righteous and purposeful: it disciplines unbelief, preserves the integrity of His promise, and advances His plan through a faithful remnant.
The spies’ report reflects real features of Late Bronze Age Canaan: many city-states were protected by fortified walls and strategically placed settlements. The mention of agricultural produce (especially grapes) fits the hill-country viticulture of the southern Levant, where seasonal harvests and regional valleys were known for fruit production.
"The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land." — Numbers 14:7
Answer the questions below. When you choose an option, you will see the result and an explanation.
1. How long did the twelve spies search the land of Canaan before returning?
2. What punishment did God pronounce because of the nation’s unbelief after the spies’ report?