Deuteronomy 1:22

KJV

And ye came near unto me every one of you, and said, We will send men before us, and they shall search us out the land, and bring us word again by what way we must go up, and into what cities we shall come.

KJV (with Strong's)

And ye came near {H7126} unto me every one of you, and said {H559}, We will send {H7971} men {H582} before {H6440} us, and they shall search us out {H2658} the land {H776}, and bring {H7725} us word {H1697} again {H7725} by what way {H1870} we must go up {H5927}, and into what cities {H5892} we shall come {H935}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"You approached me, every one of you, and said, 'Let's send men ahead of us to explore the country for us and bring back word concerning what route we should use in going up and what the cities we will encounter are like.'

Berean Standard Bible

Then all of you approached me and said, “Let us send men ahead of us to search out the land and bring us word of what route to follow and which cities to enter.”

American Standard Version

And ye came near unto me every one of you, and said, Let us send men before us, that they may search the land for us, and bring us word again of the way by which we must go up, and the cities unto which we shall come.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 1:22 encapsulates a pivotal moment in Israel's wilderness journey, where the people, having been commanded by God to enter the Promised Land, instead requested to send spies ahead. This seemingly pragmatic decision, recounted by Moses in his farewell address, reveals an underlying lack of faith and a desire to rely on human foresight rather than divine promise, setting the stage for their subsequent rebellion and the forty-year delay in entering Canaan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 1:22 is situated within Moses' introductory address to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they are to cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land. Moses is recounting the history of their journey from Horeb (Sinai) to the present moment, specifically focusing on the events at Kadesh-barnea. This historical review serves as a didactic tool, reminding the people of God's faithfulness and their parents' failures, particularly their disobedience and unbelief. The preceding verses (Deuteronomy 1:19-21) describe God's direct command to "go up and possess" the land, making the people's request in verse 22 a direct response, or rather, a deviation from that divine imperative. The subsequent verses (Deuteronomy 1:23-46) detail Moses' approval of the spy mission, the spies' report, the people's fearful rebellion, and God's judgment, culminating in the forty-year wandering. Thus, verse 22 is the critical turning point where human initiative, born of fear, supplants divine command.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events recounted in Deuteronomy 1:22 occurred approximately 38 years prior to Moses' address, shortly after Israel's departure from Mount Sinai (Horeb) and their arrival at Kadesh-barnea, a strategic oasis on the southern border of Canaan. At this point, Israel was transitioning from a nomadic existence under direct divine provision to the cusp of settling in a land promised to their ancestors. The act of "spying out" a land before conquest was a common military and logistical practice in the ancient Near East, designed to assess terrain, enemy strength, and resource availability. However, in Israel's unique covenant relationship with Yahweh, their God had already promised to fight for them and deliver the land. Therefore, while culturally understandable, the request to send spies, in this specific theological context, signaled a distrust in God's omnipotence and a preference for human intelligence over divine assurance. This period was marked by the transition from the generation that left Egypt to the new generation born in the wilderness, who were now poised to inherit the promises.

* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 1:22 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **obedience versus disobedience**, highlighting the Israelites' initial failure to obey God's direct command to enter the land. Secondly, it illustrates the critical theme of **faith versus unbelief**, revealing how their request for spies stemmed from a deep-seated anxiety and lack of trust in God's ability to fulfill His promises, despite His miraculous deliverance from Egypt and provision in the wilderness. This fear, rather than the objective reality of the land's inhabitants, became the true obstacle, as seen in their subsequent rebellion described in [Numbers 14](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - The Rebellion at Kadesh"). Thirdly, the passage emphasizes the **consequences of sin**, demonstrating how the people's unbelief led to the severe judgment of forty years of wandering, a stark lesson for the new generation about the importance of covenant fidelity. Finally, it subtly introduces the theme of **divine patience and perseverance**, as God, despite their rebellion, continues to guide and preserve His people, ultimately bringing the new generation to the threshold of the [Promised Land](/deuteronomy/1-8 "Deuteronomy 1:8 - The Lord's Oath Concerning the Land").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Came near (Hebrew, _qarab'_):** This verb often denotes drawing physically close, but in this context, it carries the nuance of approaching with a proposal or request. It emphasizes the people's collective initiative and direct engagement with Moses, indicating a unified desire to present their plan. This "drawing near" is not for worship or intimate communion, but for a strategic suggestion, highlighting their shift from passive recipients of divine command to active proposers of human strategy.
* **Search us out (Hebrew, _tûr'_):** This verb means "to go about, to explore, to scout, to spy out." It implies a thorough reconnaissance, a detailed investigation of the land. While such an action is not inherently negative (Moses himself later sends spies into Jericho in [Joshua 2](/joshua/2 "Joshua 2 - Rahab and the Spies")), in this specific instance, it reveals the people's anxiety and lack of trust. They sought reassurance from human eyes and reports rather than resting in the absolute certainty of God's promise to deliver the land into their hands. The seeking of information became a substitute for faith.
* **Bring us word again (Hebrew, _shuv davar'_):** This phrase literally means "return a word" or "bring back a report." It signifies the expectation of a detailed account, specifically concerning the "way we must go up" and "into what cities we shall come." This desire for specific logistical details, while seemingly practical, underscores their human-centered approach to a divinely ordained conquest. They wanted to know the "how" and the "where" from human sources before trusting God's "go."

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And ye came near unto me every one of you, and said,"**: This opening clause emphasizes the collective and unanimous nature of the people's request. It was not a few dissenters, but "every one of you," indicating a pervasive sentiment of caution and perhaps fear that had gripped the entire assembly. Their approach to Moses signifies their initiative in proposing an alternative strategy to God's direct command.
* **"We will send men before us, and they shall search us out the land,"**: This is the core of their proposal. The phrase "we will send men" (literally, "send men from before us") highlights their desire for human agency and foresight. They wanted to dispatch scouts to "search out" or "explore" the land, a reconnaissance mission intended to gather intelligence about the terrain, routes, and inhabitants. This act, while appearing prudent, implicitly questions God's prior knowledge and omnipotence, as He had already promised the land and its conquest.
* **"and bring us word again by what way we must go up, and into what cities we shall come."**: This final clause specifies the desired outcome of the reconnaissance. They sought practical, logistical information: the best "way" or route to ascend into the mountainous regions of Canaan, and the specific "cities" they would encounter and need to conquer. This focus on human strategy and detailed planning, rather than simply trusting God's guidance for the journey and His power for the conquest, reveals their underlying anxiety and lack of complete reliance on divine leading.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 1:22 employs **Repetition** and **Foreshadowing**. The repetition of the people's words, recounted by Moses, serves to emphasize their direct agency and responsibility in proposing the spy mission. This direct quotation makes their initiative clear and undeniable. More significantly, the verse functions as powerful **Foreshadowing**. The seemingly innocuous request to "search out the land" subtly hints at the catastrophic events that will unfold in the subsequent narrative: the spies' fearful report, the people's rebellion, and the divine judgment of forty years of wandering. The desire for human intelligence, presented as a practical measure, ultimately becomes the catalyst for a profound crisis of faith, illustrating how human prudence, when it usurps divine command, can lead to disaster.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 1:22 serves as a foundational text for understanding the persistent tension between human wisdom and divine command, faith and fear, throughout biblical history. It illustrates the human tendency to seek tangible reassurance and control, even when God has given explicit promises and directions. The Israelites' desire to "search out the land" stemmed from a practical mindset, but in the context of God's direct command to "go up and possess" (Deuteronomy 1:21), it became an act of distrust. This narrative highlights that true security and success come not from exhaustive human planning that supersedes divine will, but from unwavering faith in God's power and faithfulness to fulfill His word. The consequences of their unbelief underscore the gravity of doubting God's promises and the importance of immediate, obedient faith.

* [Numbers 13:1-3](/numbers/13-1 "Numbers 13:1-3 - The Spies Sent Out")
* [Numbers 14:1-4](/numbers/14-1 "Numbers 14:1-4 - The People's Rebellion")
* [Hebrews 3:12-19](/hebrews/3-12 "Hebrews 3:12-19 - Warning Against Unbelief")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 1:22 offers a profound lesson for believers today concerning the interplay of faith, prudence, and obedience. While it is wise to gather information, plan, and exercise discernment in life's endeavors, this verse reminds us that such practical steps must never supersede or stem from a lack of trust in God's explicit commands or promises. The Israelites' request for spies, though seemingly reasonable, revealed a deeper anxiety about the challenges ahead, ultimately leading them to doubt God's power to deliver. In our own lives, we often face "promised lands" – new opportunities, difficult challenges, or calls to ministry – where God's command is clear, but our human fear or desire for control prompts us to seek excessive "reconnaissance" rather than simply stepping out in faith. This passage challenges us to examine the root of our caution: Is it godly wisdom, or is it unbelief masquerading as prudence? Our strategies must always be grounded in unwavering faith in God's ability to accomplish what He has promised, ensuring that our "searching out" is a supplement to, not a substitute for, absolute reliance on Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to "search out the land" excessively, rather than trusting God's clear direction?**
* **How can a desire for human control or certainty mask an underlying lack of faith in God's promises?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper trust in God's provision and power, even when the path ahead seems daunting?**
* **How does the Israelites' experience at Kadesh-barnea inform your approach to new challenges or opportunities that require a leap of faith?**

### FAQ

**Was it wrong for the Israelites to send spies, given that Moses later sent spies into Jericho (Joshua 2)?**

Answer: The act of sending spies itself was not inherently sinful. As seen in [Joshua 2](/joshua/2 "Joshua 2 - Rahab and the Spies"), reconnaissance can be a legitimate military tactic. The sin in Deuteronomy 1:22 and the subsequent narrative lay not in the *action* of sending spies, but in the *motivation* behind the request and the *response* to the spies' report. God had already commanded the Israelites to "go up and possess" the land (Deuteronomy 1:21), promising to fight for them. Their request to send spies, therefore, stemmed from a lack of faith and an underlying fear, seeking human assurance over divine promise. This is evident in their subsequent rebellion when the spies reported formidable giants and fortified cities (Deuteronomy 1:28), leading them to doubt God's power and choose to return to Egypt (Numbers 14:1-4). In contrast, the spies sent into Jericho by Joshua were sent by a leader already committed to God's command, and their mission was tactical, not born of unbelief.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 1:22, with its depiction of Israel's failure to enter the Promised Land due to unbelief, powerfully foreshadows the greater spiritual reality of entering God's rest through faith in Christ. The Israelites' desire to "search out the land" before trusting God's promise reveals a human tendency to rely on sight rather than faith, a tendency that ultimately barred them from the physical inheritance. This stands in stark contrast to the perfect obedience and faith of Jesus Christ, who fully trusted the Father's will, even unto death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience")). The "rest" that Israel failed to enter (as elaborated in [Hebrews 3:7-4:11](/hebrews/3-7 "Hebrews 3:7-4:11 - Warning Against Hardening Hearts")) finds its ultimate fulfillment not in a geographical location, but in salvation through Christ, who is our true "Promised Land" and the source of our spiritual inheritance. Through His perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection, Jesus has opened the way for all who believe to enter into God's eternal rest, a rest secured by His finished work, not by human reconnaissance or effort. He is the ultimate "spy" who has gone before us, not to report on insurmountable obstacles, but to conquer them, securing our access to the Father and an eternal inheritance that is "imperishable, undefiled, and unfading" ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Incorruptible Inheritance")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Numbers 13:1

¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Numbers 13:20

And 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.