SPIES
Spies
(Num 21:1). SEE ATHARIM.
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Spies
When the Israelites reached Kadesh for the first time, and were encamped there, Moses selected twelve spies from among the chiefs of the divisions of the tribes, and sent them forth to spy the land of Canaan (Num. 13), and to bring back to him a report of its actual condition. They at once proceeded on their important errand, and went through the land as far north as the district round Lake Merom. After about six weeks’ absence they returned. Their report was very discouraging, and the people were greatly alarmed, and in a rebellious spirit proposed to elect a new leader and return to Egypt. Only two of the spies, Caleb and Joshua, showed themselves on this occasion stout-hearted and faithful. All their appeals and remonstrances were in vain. Moses announced that as a punishment for their rebellion they must now wander in the wilderness till a new generation should arise which would go up and posses the land. The spies had been forty days absent on their expedition, and for each day the Israelites were to be wanderers for a year in the desert. (See ESHCOL)
Two spies were sent by Joshua “secretly” i.e., unknown to the people (Josh. 2:1), “to view the land and Jericho” after the death of Moses, and just before the tribes under his leadership were about to cross the Jordan. They learned from Rahab (q.v.), in whose house they found a hiding-place, that terror had fallen on all the inhabitants of the land because of the great things they had heard that Jehovah had done for them (Ex. 15:14-16; comp. 23:27; Deut. 2:25; 11:25). As the result of their mission they reported: “Truly Jehovah hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.”
Fuente: Easton’s Bible Dictionary
Spies
According to Num 13:2, Moses sent the spies into Canaan at the command of God; but according to Deu 1:22 at the suggestion of the people. The seeming discrepancy disappears thus; the people begged that they should be sent; Moses laid their request before God, who thereupon gave the command. In the historical book, Numbers, God’s command alone is mentioned; but in Deuteronomy, which treats of the people’s conduct toward God, Moses reminds them that the request which eventuated in their fathers’ rebellion and death in the wilderness, emanated from themselves. The generation whom Moses addressed in Deuteronomy needed to be warned by the fate of their fathers. Moses treats fathers and children as one people.
Fuente: Fausset’s Bible Dictionary
Spies
SPIES (, best derived from , to send down in (secret) [Grimm-Thayer], men suborned to lie in wait; Vulgate insidiatores).Though the word occurs only once in the Gospels (Luk 20:20; cf. Job 19:12; Job 31:9, Sir 8:11), there is abundant evidence of a regular system of espionage directed against Jesus from the time when He first attracted the notice of the ruling classes. Emissaries were sent from Jerusalem for this purpose (Mar 7:1 and Mat 15:1 Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885 ), and in the latter portion of His public ministry He could hardly speak in any synagogue or other public place without seeing some of these spies in His audience. Their action is variously described: (1) They watched him (, , to watch insidiously, in a furtive mannerex obliquo et occulto, Bengel); cf. Mar 3:2 = Luk 6:7; Luk 14:1; Luk 20:20, where Authorized and Revised Versions add him, though the verb is probably used generally of watching for an opportunity. (2) They began to press upon him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things (, ), laying wait for him to catch something out of his mouth ( , Luk 11:54), where is explained by Euthym. Zig. as (the Vulgate gives os ejus opprimere, as if from a reading ). So Luk 20:20 tells how the chief priests and scribes watched and sent forth spies, which feigned themselves to be righteous, that they might take hold of his speech, so as to deliver him up to the rule and to the authority of the governor. The putting of the question about the tribute money, which immediately follows, was a cunning plot, in which the Pharisees and the Herodians, two mutually hostile parties, joined (cf. for a similar union in Galilee, Mar 3:6). The Pharisees sent their disciples (Mat 22:16), young men apparently, fresh, earnest, zealous, and anxious to do right, hoping thus to avoid exciting suspicion of their designs. St. Mark (Mar 12:13) describes their object as that they might catch him in talk ( ); St. Matthew (Mat 22:15) says they took counsel how they might ensnare him in his talk ( ), the verb used being from , a trap or snare, into which if He fell He would be held fast with a view to further proceedings. Compare also Mat 19:3, Joh 11:46, and Luk 19:39 where some Pharisees mingled with the rejoicing multitude, no doubt for a similar purpose. The murmuring in favour of Jesus mentioned in Joh 7:32 was possibly reported to the Pharisees by spies. Christ was always conscious of the presence of such men, and on these occasions seemed to court publicity for His actions; cf. the direction to the man with the withered hand, Stand forth (Mar 3:3). The futility of the system of espionage as directed against Him was shown at the trial, where all their efforts resulted in inability to bring forward anything as a charge except His words about the Temple.
The use of spies for a different purpose, viz. to facilitate His arrest, is implied in Mar 14:1, where His enemies sought how they might take Him with subtilty ( ), and in Joh 11:57 by the command that if any man knew where He was he should give information (), that they might take Him. Such a measure was necessary because of His popularity with the multitude. In this sense Judas was the great spy, being in close touch with Jesus, and familiar with all His movements,a fact which explains the roundabout directions given to the two Apostles as to where they should prepare the Passover meal. It was essential that Judas should not know the place beforehand, in order that the solemn proceedings and Christs last discourse might not be interrupted by the coming of the band from the priests to effect His arrest.
W. H. Dundas.
Fuente: A Dictionary Of Christ And The Gospels
Spies
The sending of spies to ascertain the strength or state of an enemy’s country was known as early as Gen 42, when Joseph treated his brethren as such. Twelve were sent by Moses to search out the land of Palestine, the adoption of this means being first desired by the people, and afterwards ordered by God. Only two brought up a faithful report, and had faith in God that He would give them possession. Num 13. Two were also sent by Joshua, who were hidden by Rahab. Joshua 2; Jos 6:23; Heb 11:31. David and Absalom both used this stratagem. 1Sa 26:4; 2Sa 15:10; cf. Jdg 1:24.
Those are called ‘spies’ whom the rulers of Israel sent to entrap the Lord. They were secret agents who, by feigning themselves just men, hoped to catch the Lord in His replies; but they were themselves put to shame, and confounded by His wisdom. Luk 20:20.
Fuente: Concise Bible Dictionary
Spies
General references
Gen 42:9
Sent to investigate:
– Canaan
Num 13
– Jaazer
Num 21:32
– Jericho
Jos 2:1
Used by David
1Sa 26:4
At the court of Absalom
2Sa 15:10; 2Sa 17:1-17
Pharisees acted as
Luk 20:20
In the church of Galatia
Gal 2:4
Fuente: Nave’s Topical Bible
SPIES
Gen 42:9; Num 13:16; Num 14:36; Num 21:32; Deu 1:22; Jos 2:1; Jos 6:23; Jos 7:2
Jdg 1:24; Jdg 18:2; 2Sa 15:10; 2Ki 6:13; Luk 20:20