The place was called the brook Eshcol, because of the cluster of grapes which the children of Israel cut down from thence.
Read it in contextThe Spies Explore Canaan
Start reading at Numbers 13:1 (Numbers 13:1 to Numbers 13:24).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Travel and repeated complaints culminate in the refusal to enter the land and the sentence upon that generation.
13:1And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
13:2Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them.
13:3And Moses by the commandment of the LORD sent them from the wilderness of Paran: all those men were heads of the children of Israel.
13:4And these were their names: of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur.
13:5Of the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat the son of Hori.
13:6Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.
13:7Of the tribe of Issachar, Igal the son of Joseph.
13:8Of the tribe of Ephraim, Oshea the son of Nun.
13:9Of the tribe of Benjamin, Palti the son of Raphu.
13:10Of the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi.
13:11Of the tribe of Joseph, namely, of the tribe of Manasseh, Gaddi the son of Susi.
13:12Of the tribe of Dan, Ammiel the son of Gemalli.
13:13Of the tribe of Asher, Sethur the son of Michael.
13:14Of the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi.
13:15Of the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi.
13:16These are the names of the men which Moses sent to spy out the land. And Moses called Oshea the son of Nun Jehoshua.
13:17And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain:
13:18And see the land, what it is; and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many;
13:19And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds;
13:20And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be ye of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the firstripe grapes.
13:21So they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath.
13:22And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)
13:23And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff; and they brought of the pomegranates, and of the figs.
13:24The place was called the brook Eshcol, because of the cluster of grapes which the children of Israel cut down from thence.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Moses is the traditional author. He is explicitly credited with writing Israel's journeys at the LORD's command. Biblical references: Numbers 33:2. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Numbers 13:1–14:45): The twelve spies report to Moses, Aaron, and the congregation. Joshua and Caleb urge trust, while the people refuse the proposed entry into Canaan. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Israel during the wilderness journey, including the generation preparing to enter Canaan, with the record preserved for later Israel. Biblical references: Numbers 1:1; Numbers 26:63; Numbers 36:13. stated in the text
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? The Spies Explore Canaan. Read Numbers 13:1 through Numbers 13:24 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Travel and repeated complaints culminate in the refusal to enter the land and the sentence upon that generation. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The book moves from the second year after departure from Egypt toward the fortieth year, through the deaths of the wilderness generation and preparation of its successors. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? The setting moves from Sinai through wilderness stations to the plains of Moab east of Jordan. Individual journeys and encounters name more precise locations. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in The Spies Explore Canaan (Numbers 13:1 to Numbers 13:24).
Start reading at Numbers 13:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Jesus explicitly refers to Moses lifting up the serpent when speaking about the Son of man. Paul also uses wilderness events as warnings for the church; these connections preserve both God's provision and human responsibility. See John 3:14, John 3:15, 1 Corinthians 10:6, 1 Corinthians 10:12. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Receive warnings about complaint, unbelief, and rebellion without presuming that participation in a community removes personal responsibility. Read each event with its stated circumstances. interpretation
Cited: Numbers 13:1, Numbers 13:24, John 3:14, John 3:15, 1 Corinthians 10:6, 1 Corinthians 10:12
Who wrote it, and how we know
Moses (traditional)Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book states that Moses wrote the record of the journeys at the LORD's command. Numbers 33:2
Early traditionJewish and Christian tradition names Moses.
What is debatedSource-critical theories propose later editing.
This is a later retelling, not a second mission of the spies.
Time covered by Numbers
About 38 years
Second year after the exodusBeginning · Numbers 1:1
Israel is counted at Sinai
The opening census is dated to the first day of the second month in the second year after leaving Egypt.
Fortieth year after the exodusClosing wilderness period
Israel prepares to enter the land
Aaron’s death is dated to the fortieth year. The closing instructions are given on the plains of Moab before Israel crosses the Jordan.
The dated narrative moves from the second year toward the end of the fortieth year, an interval of roughly 38 years.
View historical notes and sources
This is an approximate span of the narrative, not an exact count of days and not the date when the book was written. Numbers 33:38 dates Aaron’s death; Numbers 36:13 identifies the closing setting. Deuteronomy 1:3 places Moses’ subsequent address in the fortieth year.
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Numbers 13
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Numbers follows Israel in the wilderness and toward the plains of Moab. The narrative moves from one numbered generation to another, combining events with commands for Israel. Distinguish the date of a narrated event from a proposed date of composition. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Travel and repeated complaints culminate in the refusal to enter the land and the sentence upon that generation.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. Travel and repeated complaints culminate in the refusal to enter the land and the sentence upon that generation.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Numbers
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Numbers follows Israel in the wilderness and toward the plains of Moab. The narrative moves from one numbered generation to another, combining events with commands for Israel. Distinguish the date of a narrated event from a proposed date of composition.
Connection to the wholeDeaths and conflicts accompany the approach to Moab. Balaam's oracles are followed by Israel's sin at Peor, keeping blessing and responsibility together.