Numbers 13:17-24

What are the scouts supposed to learn and bring back?

Berean Standard Bible

17 When Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, he told them, “Go up through the Negev and into the hill country. 18 See what the land is like and whether its people are strong or weak, few or many. 19 Is the land where they live good or bad? Are the cities where they dwell open camps or fortifications? 20 Is the soil fertile or unproductive? Are there trees in it or not? Be courageous and bring back some of the fruit of the land.” (It was the season for the first ripe grapes.) 21 So they went up and spied out the land from the Wilderness of Zin as far as Rehob, toward Lebo-hamath. 22 They went up through the Negev and came to Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, dwelled. It had been built seven years before Zoan in Egypt. 23 When they came to the Valley of Eshcol, they cut down a branch with a single cluster of grapes, which they carried on a pole between two men. They also took some pomegranates and figs. 24 Because of the cluster of grapes the Israelites cut there, that place was called the Valley of Eshcol.

What is the context?

Moses asks about the land, people, towns, soil, and trees, and tells the scouts to bring fruit. They travel through the country, reach Hebron with its descendants of Anak, and gather grapes, pomegranates, and figs.

The cluster carried between two men becomes part of the evidence brought back. The named valley is connected with that cluster. The task concerns real conditions in the promised land; observing those conditions will not by itself settle whether the people should trust the Lord’s promise.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Wesley emphasizes the survey of the land and considers both weight and preserving the fruit as explanations for carrying the cluster on a pole. The USCCB notes locate the named regions while distinguishing Zin from the similarly named Sin. The text establishes the journey and fruit without giving a modern weight or dimensions for the grapes.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

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