Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical narrative, spies play a significant role in several key events, serving as agents who gather intelligence and provide strategic information. Their actions often have profound implications for the unfolding of God's plans and the history of Israel.
1. The Twelve Spies in Canaan:One of the most notable accounts of spies in the Bible is found in the Book of Numbers. Moses, following God's command, sends twelve men to explore the land of Canaan, which the Israelites are to inherit. These men, one from each tribe, are tasked with assessing the land's fertility, the strength of its inhabitants, and the fortifications of its cities.
Numbers 13:1-2 states, "And the LORD said to Moses, 'Send out for yourself men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. Send one leader from each of their fathers’ tribes.'"
Upon their return, ten of the spies report that the land is indeed fruitful but express fear over the formidable inhabitants, leading to widespread panic among the Israelites. Only Joshua and Caleb, two of the spies, encourage the people to trust in God's promise and take possession of the land. Their faithfulness is later rewarded, as they are the only members of their generation permitted to enter the Promised Land (
Numbers 14:30).
2. Rahab and the Spies in Jericho:Another significant espionage event occurs in the Book of Joshua. As the Israelites prepare to enter Canaan, Joshua sends two spies to scout the city of Jericho. These spies are sheltered by Rahab, a prostitute, who recognizes the power of the God of Israel and seeks protection for her family in exchange for her assistance.
Joshua 2:1 records, "Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim, saying, 'Go, view the land, especially Jericho.' So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there."
Rahab's faith and actions are pivotal, as she helps the spies escape, ensuring the Israelites' successful conquest of Jericho. Her account is celebrated in the New Testament as an example of faith (
Hebrews 11:31;
James 2:25).
3. David and the Spies:Spies also feature in the life of David, particularly during his conflict with Saul and later in his reign as king. In
1 Samuel 26, David sends out spies to confirm Saul's location before sparing his life in the wilderness of Ziph. This act of reconnaissance demonstrates David's strategic acumen and his commitment to God's anointed king.
1 Samuel 26:4 states, "David sent out spies to verify that Saul had arrived."
Additionally, during Absalom's rebellion, David employs Hushai as a spy to counteract the counsel of Ahithophel, Absalom's advisor. Hushai's successful infiltration and misinformation campaign help preserve David's throne (2 Samuel 15-17).
4. The Role of Spies in Warfare and Strategy:Throughout the Bible, spies are often used in the context of warfare and strategy. Their role is to gather intelligence, assess enemy strength, and provide critical information for military decisions. This practice underscores the importance of wisdom, discernment, and reliance on God's guidance in the face of challenges.
The use of spies in the biblical narrative highlights themes of faith, obedience, and divine providence. While espionage involves secrecy and deception, the biblical accounts emphasize the ultimate sovereignty of God in guiding and protecting His people, often using unexpected means and individuals to fulfill His purposes.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
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 (
Numbers 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 (Joshua 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 (Exodus 15:14-16; Comp.23:27;Deuteronomy 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."
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) Plural of Spy.
Greek
5432. phroureo -- to guard... From a compound of pro and horao; to be a watcher in advance, ie To mount guard
as a sentinel (post
spies at gates); figuratively, to hem in, protect -- keep
...2685. kataskopos -- a spy
... Definition: a spy, scout. Word Origin probably from kataskopeo Definition
a spy NASB Word Usagespies (1). spy. From kata (intensive...
4460. Rhaab -- Rahab, a Canaanitess and an ancestor of Christ
... Transliteration: Rhaab Phonetic Spelling: (hrah-ab') Short Definition: Rahab Definition:
Rahab, a Canaanitess, who rescued the Hebrewspies at Jericho....
4477. Rhachab -- Rachab.
... Transliteration: Rhachab Phonetic Spelling: (hrakh-ab') Short Definition: Rahab
Definition: Rahab, a Canaanitess, who rescued the Hebrewspies at Jericho....
1455. egkathetos -- hired to lie in wait, lying in wait
... Word Origin from en and a derivation of kathiemi Definition hired to lie
in wait, lying in wait NASB Word Usagespies (1). spy....
Strong's Hebrew
871. Atharim -- a caravan route in the Negev...spies. Plural from an unused root (probably meaning to step); places; Atharim, a
place near Palestine --
spies. 870, 871. Atharim. 872 . Strong's Numbers.
7270. ragal -- to go about on foot
... 7269, 7270. ragal. 7271 . to go about on foot. Transliteration: ragal
Phonetic Spelling: (raw-gal') Short Definition:spies. Word...
2658. chaphar -- to dig, search for
... Definition to dig, search for NASB Word Usage 76,500* (1), dig (2), digs (1), dug
(11), hollowed (1), look around (1), paws (1), sank (1), search (3),spies (1...
6822. tsaphah -- to look out or about, spy, keep watch
... root Definition to look out or about, spy, keep watch NASB Word Usage destined
(1), keep watch (3), lookout (1), looks well (1),spies (1), watch (3), watch...
8104. shamar -- to keep, watch, preserve
... 3), preserves (6), protect (4), protects (1), regard (3), regards (2), remains
(1), reserved (1), secured (1), sentries (1), spare (1),spies (1), take care (1...
Library
TheSpies
... TheSpies. A Sermon (No.197). Delivered on Sabbath Morning, June 6, 1858, by the....
THE UNBELIEF OF THE CHILDREN of Israel, prompted them to sendspies into Canaan...
Spies in the Enemy's Camp.
... Homily II. Chapter XXXVII."Spies in the Enemy's Camp. "Some [945] of
our people attend feignedly upon Simon as companions, as...
The Report of the HebrewSpies
... THE OLD TESTAMENT THE REPORT OF THE HEBREWSPIES. Moses sent certain men
to explore the land of Canaan and said to them, "Go up into...
The Testing of Joseph's Brothers
... they did not know him. Joseph also remembered the dreams which he had had
about them and said to them, "Youspies! you have come to...
The Story of the Grapes from Canaan
... They named the place where they found this bunch of grapes Eshcol, a word which
means "a cluster." These twelve men were called "spies," because they went "to...
The Story of Benjamin.
... "You arespies!" he cried in a passion.... They had heard terrible stories of how these
fierce Egyptians never allowedspies to get out of their country alive....
Then Follows the Book of Leviticus, in which the Precepts Bearing...
...Spies, accordingly, having been sent into it, they report that it was a land blessed
with all abundance, but that the nations were powerful, and the towns...
How Moses Sent Some Persons to Search Out the Land of the...
... Let us then sendspies, who may take a view of the goodness of the land, and what
strength it is of; but, above all things, let us be of one mind, and let us...
How Joshua, the Commander of the Hebrews, Made War with The
... He also sentspies to Jericho to discover what forces they had, and what were their
intentions; but he put his camp in order, as intending soon to pass over...
From Joshua to Samuel.
... 6.= Whom did J[)o]sh??u-[.a] send to look at the city of J[)e]r??[)i]-ch[=o]? =Two
spies.=. =7.= What woman hid the twospies and saved their lives?...
Thesaurus
Spies (22 Occurrences)... 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
...Rahab (14 Occurrences)
... encamped at Shittim, in the "Arabah" or Jordan valley opposite Jericho, ready to
cross the river, Joshua, as a final preparation, sent out twospies to "spy...
Honest (34 Occurrences)
... Luke 20:20 So, after impatiently watching their opportunity, they sentspies who
were to act the part of good and honest men, that they might fasten on some...
Kadesh (30 Occurrences)
... From this place, in compliance with the desire of the people, Moses sent forth
"twelvespies" to spy the land. After... Beersheba. (seeSPIES.)....
Caleb (39 Occurrences)
... who encouraged the people to go up and possess the land, and they alone were spared
when a plague broke out in which the other tenspies perished (Numbers 13...
Numbers (136 Occurrences)
... 2. An account of the journey from Sinai to Moab, the sending out of thespies and
the report they brought back, and the murmurings (eight times) of the people...
Dan (71 Occurrences)
... They accordingly sent out fivespies from two of their towns, who went north to
the sources of the Jordan, and brought back a favourable report regarding that...
Ephraim (168 Occurrences)
... 2:18-24). When thespies were sent out to spy the land, "Oshea the son
of Nun" of this tribe signalized himself. The boundaries...
Shittim (34 Occurrences)
... were encamped after their two victories over Sihon and Og, at the close of their
desert wanderings, and from which Joshua sent forth twospies (qv) "secretly...
Negeb (37 Occurrences)
... in Genesis 13:1 Abram is represented as going "into the South" when journeying
northward from Egypt toward Bethel; in Numbers 13:22 thespies coming from the...
Resources
Why did the Israelite spies visit the house of Rahab the prostitute? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did Moses send twelve spies into the Promised Land? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Rahab in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgSpies: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
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