Numbers 13:21 - So they went up, and spied out the land from the wilderness of Zin to Rehob, to the entrance of Hamath.

Generated Verse: Numbers 13:21

What does "Numbers 13:21" mean?


Numbers 13:21 describes the geographical scope of the scouting mission sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan. Let's break it down:

"So they went up...": This refers to the twelve spies who were chosen from each of the twelve tribes of Israel. They followed Moses' instructions to survey the land that God promised to the Israelites.

"...and spied out the land...": This indicates the purpose of their journey: to gather information about the land of Canaan, including its people, resources, and defenses.

"...from the wilderness of Zin to Rehob...": This specifies the southern boundary of their exploration. The Wilderness of Zin was a desert region in the Negev, the southern part of Canaan. Rehob was a town located further north. Thus, they traversed the land from South to North

"...to the entrance of Hamath.": This marks the northernmost point of their scouting mission. Hamath was a significant city-state located in Syria, beyond the northern border of Canaan. "Entrance of Hamath" likely refers to the southernmost approach or boundary of the territory controlled by Hamath. Thus, they went as far north as the territory that bordered Hamath.

In Summary:

The verse describes the geographical extent of the spies' reconnaissance. They covered a significant portion of the land of Canaan, from its southern desert regions (Wilderness of Zin) to its northern border, near the city of Hamath. This verse highlights the thoroughness of the scouting mission, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview of the land's characteristics. The inclusion of these geographical locations is important for:

Establishing the boundaries of the promised land: It gives the reader a sense of the size and scope of the territory being considered for Israel's settlement.
Illustrating the thoroughness of the scouting mission: The spies covered a large area, suggesting a detailed examination of the land.
Providing geographical context: These place names, though some are now difficult to pinpoint exactly, anchor the narrative in a real physical location.

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