Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 13:25
And they returned from searching of the land after forty days.
25 33. The spies returned and reported that the land was very fertile (J E ), (but in Num 13:32 not fertile, P ), but the inhabitants were tall and terrible and their cities impregnable.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
After forty days – They had no doubt in this time explored the whole land. However, it was with the southern part that the Israelites expected to have to deal immediately: and accordingly it is that which is particularly referred to in the following verses, Hebron and its vicinity above all.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
And they returned from searching the land after forty days. The Targum of Jonathan adds, on the eighth day of the month Ab, which answers to part of July and part of August; so that this must be towards the latter end of July: some Jewish writers k say it was the ninth of Ab; hence the tradition, that it was decreed on the ninth of Ab concerning their fathers, that they should not enter into the land l.
k Seder Olam Rabba, c. 8. p. 24. l Misn. Taanith, c. 4. sect. 7.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
In forty days the spies returned to the camp at Kadesh (see at Num 16:6), and reported the great fertility of the land (“ it floweth with milk and honey, ” see at Exo 3:8), pointing, at the same time, to the fruit they had brought with them; “ nevertheless, ” they added ( , “ only that”), “ the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are fortified, very large: and, moreover, we saw the children of Anak there.” Amalekites dwelt in the south (see at Gen 36:12); Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites in the mountains (see at Gen 10:15-16); and Canaanites by the (Mediterranean) Sea and on the side of the Jordan, i.e., in the Arabah or Ghor (see at Gen 13:7 and Gen 10:15-18).
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
25. And they returned from searching of the land. The activity and diligence of the twelve men is commended, who in so short a time examined the whole of the land from the desert of Sin to the sea, and along the whole course of the Jordan; and this, too, in the hottest part of the year, when the grapes were beginning to ripen. Thus far, then, they faithfully executed the task intrusted to them. In their report, also, there seems to be nothing unworthy of honest men. They had been commanded by Moses to consider the inhabitants of the land, whether they were strong or weak, and also whether the cities were fortified; and they relate nothing which was not true and fully ascertained by them. In a word, at first sight their relation contains nothing worthy of reprehension. Nevertheless, we may gather from the context that the ten of them, whose desire was to turn away the people, spoke in such discouraging terms of their difficulties, that they produced exactly the contrary effect to what Moses had hoped. No other accusation, however, is as yet alleged against them, than that, by maliciously and deceptively inspiring despondency, they held back the people from entering the land. Although, therefore, they had not openly lied, they were wanting in sincerity. Perhaps, too, the whole of their address is not recorded; because Moses deemed it sufficient to state their perversity of feeling, in that they added to their praises of the land an exception, which overwhelmed the people’s minds with fear. From whence also we gather a useful admonition, that crafty sophists avail nothing with God, when they endeavor to cover their deceit by tortuous prevarication’s. Wherefore, if we desire to approve our discourse to God, we must take care to lay aside all such unfair evasions, and, rejecting all disguise, to speak simply and from the heart. The ten spies, then, lay a foundation of good faith, in order that they may afterwards be more competent to deceive. The land, they say, is a good one, except that the people are strong; and what is this but that there was little hope that the Israelites would obtain the blessing promised them by God, and that the attempt must by no means be made? With the same view they thunder out (51) the names of several nations, in order to increase the alarm; for, after having reported that they had seen the sons of Anak, they state that their contests would be too arduous with the various peoples, who would advance from all sides to resist them.
(51) “Ils parlent a plene bouche;” they speak with open mouth. — Fr.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(25) After forty days.This time allowed a full and careful exploration of the land.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
25. Forty days were sufficient for a journey of 250 miles into the vicinity of Hamath and the return. The spies could rest six sabbaths and travel 500 miles, going at the rate of less than fifteen miles a day. It is not probable that they went in a body, but singly or by twos.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
forty. The number of Probation. See App-10. At the end. of Elul (our August), exactly six months from setting up of the Tabernacle. See App-50.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
forty days: Num 14:33, Num 14:34, Exo 24:18, Exo 34:28
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Num 13:25. They returned after forty days It is a wonder the people had patience to stay forty days, when they were just ready to enter Canaan, under all the assurances of success they could have from the divine power, proved by a constant series of miracles, that had hitherto attended them. But they distrusted God, and chose to be held in suspense by their own counsels, rather than to rest upon Gods promise! How much do we stand in our own light by unbelief!