Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, a "spy" refers to an individual sent to gather information covertly, often regarding military or territorial matters. The role of spies is depicted in several key narratives within the Scriptures, highlighting themes of faith, obedience, and divine providence.
Old Testament Instances1.
The Twelve Spies: One of the most notable accounts of espionage in the Bible is found in the Book of Numbers. Moses, following God's command, sent twelve men to spy out the land of Canaan, the Promised Land, to assess its resources and the strength of its inhabitants.
Numbers 13:1-2 states, "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 man from each of their fathers’ tribes, all of them leaders among the Israelites.'" The spies returned with a mixed report; ten of them instilled fear among the Israelites by focusing on the formidable inhabitants, while Joshua and Caleb encouraged trust in God's promise (
Numbers 13:30, 14:6-9).
2.
Rahab and the Spies: In the Book of Joshua, two spies were sent by Joshua to scout Jericho. They were sheltered by Rahab, a prostitute, who recognized the power of the God of Israel and sought protection for her family.
Joshua 2:1 recounts, "Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. 'Go, look over the land,' he said, 'especially Jericho.' So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there." Rahab's faith and actions led to her inclusion in the lineage of Jesus Christ (
Matthew 1:5).
3.
David and the Spies: During King David's reign, espionage played a role in his military strategies. In
2 Samuel 15:34-37, David sent Hushai the Arkite to act as a spy within Absalom's court to thwart the rebellion against him. Hushai's intelligence and counsel were instrumental in David's eventual victory.
New Testament ReferenceWhile the New Testament does not focus extensively on espionage, the concept of being watchful and discerning is emphasized. Jesus Himself advised His followers to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves" (
Matthew 10:16), which can be seen as an encouragement to be prudent and discerning in a world that often requires vigilance.
Theological ImplicationsThe use of spies in the Bible underscores the importance of wisdom, discernment, and faith in God's promises. The narratives involving spies often reveal the tension between human fear and divine assurance. The faithful actions of individuals like Joshua, Caleb, and Rahab demonstrate the blessings that come from trusting in God's plan, even when circumstances appear daunting.
In summary, the role of spies in the Bible serves as a reminder of the need for faith and obedience in the face of challenges, as well as the importance of seeking God's guidance in all endeavors.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To gain sight of; to discover at a distance, or in a state of concealment; to espy; to see.
2. (v. t.) To discover by close search or examination.
3. (v. t.) To explore; to view; inspect; and examine secretly, as a country; -- usually with out.
4. (v. i.) To search narrowly; to scrutinize.
5. (n.) One who keeps a constant watch of the conduct of others.
6. (n.) A person sent secretly into an enemy's camp, territory, or fortifications, to inspect his works, ascertain his strength, movements, or designs, and to communicate such intelligence to the proper officer.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SPYspi.
SeeESPY.
Greek
2684. kataskopeo -- to view closely,spy out... to view closely,
spy out. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: kataskopeo Phonetic
Spelling: (kat-as-kop-eh'-o) Short Definition: I
spy out, plot against
...2685. kataskopos -- aspy
... aspy. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: kataskopos Phonetic Spelling:
(kat-as'-kop-os) Short Definition: aspy Definition: aspy, scout....
1455. egkathetos -- hired to lie in wait, lying in wait
... to lie in wait, lying in wait. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: egkathetos
Phonetic Spelling: (eng-kath'-et-os) Short Definition: aspy Definition: a...
4688. spekoulator -- a scout, by ext. an executioner
... executioner. Of Latin origin; a speculator, ie Military scout (spy or (by extension)
life-guardsman) -- executioner. (spekoulatora) -- 1 Occurrence....
4648. skopeo -- to look at, contemplate
... consider, take heed, mark. From skopos; to take aim at (spy), ie (figuratively)
regard -- consider, take heed, look at (on), mark. Compare optanomai....
Strong's Hebrew
8446. tur -- to seek out,spy out, explore... 8445, 8446. tur. 8447 . to seek out,
spy out, explore. Transliteration: tur
Phonetic Spelling: (toor) Short Definition:
spy. Word Origin a prim.
...1345. Geuel -- "majesty of El," a Gaditespy
... 1344, 1345. Geuel. 1346 . "majesty of El," a Gaditespy. Transliteration:
Geuel Phonetic Spelling: (gheh-oo-ale') Short Definition: Geuel....
3612. Kaleb -- a son of Jephunneh and sent by Moses tospy out the...
... Kaleb. 3613 . a son of Jephunneh and sent by Moses tospy out the land.
Transliteration: Kaleb Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-labe') Short Definition: Caleb....
6822. tsaphah -- to look out or about,spy, keep watch
... tsaphah. 6823 . to look out or about,spy, keep watch. Transliteration: tsaphah
Phonetic Spelling: (tsaw-faw') Short Definition: watchman. Word Origin a prim....
7270. ragal -- to go about on foot
... Word Origin denominative verb from regel Definition to go about on foot NASB Word
Usage slander (1), slandered (1), spied (3), spies (11),spy (9), taught to...
7789. shur -- to behold, regard
... A primitive root (identical with shuwr through the idea of going round for inspection);
tospy out, ie (generally) survey, (for evil) lurk for, (for good) care...
7200. raah -- to see
... be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let)
see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), X sight of others, (e-)spy, stare, X...
Library
His Arrival in Apulia, Venice, Ferrara, and Genoa --He is...
... CHAPTER V HIS ARRIVAL IN APULIA, VENICE, FERRARA, AND GENOA"HE IS APPREHENDED AS
ASPY"HE IS DESPISED AS A FOOL"HIS STUDIES AT BARCELONA AND ALCALA....
Condemned to be Shot.
... Finally he was arrested for aspy, court-martialed, and condemned to be shot.
He sent for the American Consul and the English Consul...
Galatians Chapter ii.
... Ver.4. "Who came in privily tospy out our liberty, which we have in Christ
Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage.". He points...
Vergilius had Thought Wisely of his Temptation. ...
... Loving Caesar, you have been aspy self-appointed.... "But they will think me a poor
spy if I give not the names of the conspirators, and how may I?"....
The Story of Benjamin.
... "You have come tospy out the weakness of the land. What is your calling?... "No," he
replied firmly; "you have come tospy out the weakness of Egypt....
The Rewards of Faith and Hospitality. Rahab.
... For when spies were sent by Joshua, the son of Nun, to Jericho, the king of the
country ascertained that they were come tospy out their land, and sent men to...
The Aggressive Rejection.
... Had some Jerusalemspy gotten in and begun his poisoning work already?... And now they
begin to follow Him up, andspy upon His movements and words....
The Rewards of Faith and Hospitality. Rahab.
... For when spies were sent by Joshua, the son of Nun, to Jericho, the king of the
country ascertained that they were come tospy out their land, and sent men to...
St. Paul Quite in Accordance with St. Peter and Other Apostles of...
... Therefore he says: "Because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily
tospy out our liberty which we have in Christ, that they might bring us...
Of Lies are Many Sorts, which Indeed All...
... Well then, let us set before our eyes a cunningspy as he makes up to the person
whom he has already perceived to be a Priscillianist; he begins with Dictinius...
Thesaurus
Spy (27 Occurrences)... proper officer. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
SPY. spi. See ESPY.
Multi-Version Concordance
Spy (27 Occurrences). Galatians 2
...Espy (2 Occurrences)
... with the eyes; to discover, as a distant object partly concealed, or not obvious
to notice; to see at a glance; to discern unexpectedly; tospy; as, to espy...
Spied (14 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (v.) imp. & pp ofSpy. 2. (imp. & pp) ofSpy.
Multi-Version Concordance Spied (14 Occurrences). Exodus...
Spies (22 Occurrences)
... 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 tospy the land...
Rahab (14 Occurrences)
... at Shittim, in the "Arabah" or Jordan valley opposite Jericho, ready to cross the
river, Joshua, as a final preparation, sent out two spies to "spy the land...
Zorah (10 Occurrences)
... Ir-shemesh (Joshua 19:41); the birthplace of Samson (Judges 13:2, 25); near here
too he was buried (Judges 16:31); from here some Danites went tospy out the...
Nun (31 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Numbers 13:16 These are the
names of the men who Moses sent tospy out the land. Moses...
Gemalli (1 Occurrence)
... ge-mal'-i (gemalli, "camel owner"): Father of thespy Ammiel from the tribe of Dan
(Numbers 13:12), who was one of those sent by Moses tospy out the land of...
Geuel (1 Occurrence)
... GEUEL. gu'-el, ge-u'-el (ge'u'el, "majesty of God"): Thespy from the tribe of Gad
(Numbers 13:15), sent by Moses tospy out the land of Canaan....
Teraphim (14 Occurrences)
... Judges 18:14 Then the five men who went tospy out the country of Laish answered,
and said to their brothers, "Do you know that there is in these houses an...
Resources
What is Spy Wednesday / Holy Wednesday? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about spying/eavesdropping? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Passion Week / Holy Week? | GotQuestions.orgSpy: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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