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Commentary on Numbers 13 verses 1–20
1 ¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2 Send 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.
3 And Moses by the commandment of the LORD sent them from the wilderness of Paran: all those men were heads of the children of Israel.
4 And these were their names: of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur.
5 Of the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat the son of Hori.
6 Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.
7 Of the tribe of Issachar, Igal the son of Joseph.
8 Of the tribe of Ephraim, Oshea the son of Nun.
9 Of the tribe of Benjamin, Palti the son of Raphu.
10 Of the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi.
11 Of the tribe of Joseph, namely, of the tribe of Manasseh, Gaddi the son of Susi.
12 Of the tribe of Dan, Ammiel the son of Gemalli.
13 Of the tribe of Asher, Sethur the son of Michael.
14 Of the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi.
15 Of the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi.
16 These are the names of the men which Moses sent to spy out the land. And Moses called Oshea the son of Nun Jehoshua.
17 And 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:
18 And see the land, what it is; and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many;
19 And 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;
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.
Here we have, I. Orders given to send spies to search out the land of Canaan. It is here said, God directed Moses to send them (Num 13:1, Num 13:2), but it appears by the repetition of the story afterwards (Deu 1:22) that the motion came originally from the people; they came to Moses, and said, We will send men before us; and it was the fruit of their unbelief. They would not take God's word that it was a good land, and that he would, without fail, put them in possession of it. They could not trust the pillar of cloud and fire to show them the way to it, but had a better opinion of their own politics than of God's wisdom. How absurd was it for them to send to spy out a land which God himself had spied out for them, to enquire the way into it when God himself had undertaken to show them the way! But thus we ruin ourselves by giving more credit to the reports and representations of sense than to divine revelation; we walk by sight, not by faith; whereas, if we will receive the witness of men, without doubt the witness of God is greater. The people making this motion to Moses, he (perhaps not aware of the unbelief at the bottom of it) consulted God in the case, who bade him gratify the people in this matter, and send spies before them: "Let them walk in their own counsels." Yet God was no way accessory to the sin that followed, for the sending of these spies was so far from being the cause of the sin that if the spies had done their duty, and the people theirs, it might have been the confirmation of their faith, and of good service to them.
II. The persons nominated that were to be employed in this service (Num 13:4, etc.), one of each tribe, that it might appear to be the act of the people in general; and rulers, person of figure in their respective tribes, some of the rulers of thousands or hundreds, to put the greater credit upon their embassy. This was designed for the best, but it proved to have this ill effect that the quality of the persons occasioned the evil report they brought up to be the more credited and the people to be the more influenced by it. Some think that they are all named for the sake of two good ones that were among them, Caleb and Joshua. Notice is taken of the change of Joshua's name upon this occasion, Num 13:16. He was Moses's minister, but had been employed, though of the tribe of Ephraim, as general of the forces that were sent out against Amalek. The name by which he was generally called and known in his own tribe was Oshea, but Moses called him Joshua, in token of his affection to him and power over him; and now, it should seem, he ordered others to call him so, and fixed that to be his name henceforward. Oshea signifies a prayer for salvation, Save thou; Joshua signifies a promise of salvation, He will save, in answer to that prayer: so near is the relation between prayers and promises. Prayers prevail for promises, and promises direct and encourage prayers. Some think that Moses designed, by taking the first syllable of the name Jehovah and prefixing it to his name, which turned Hoshea into Jehoshua, to put an honour upon him, and to encourage him in this and all his future services with the assurances of God's presence. Yet after this he is called Hoshea, Deu 32:44. Jesus is the same name with Joshua, and it is the name of our Lord Christ, of whom Joshua was a type as successor to Moses, Israel's captain, and conqueror of Canaan. There was another of the same name, who was also a type of Christ, Zac 6:11. Joshua was the saviour of God's people from the powers of Canaan, but Christ is their Saviour from the powers of hell.
III. The instructions given to those spies. They were sent into the land of Canaan the nearest way, to traverse the country, and to take account of its present state, Num 13:17. Two heads of enquiry were given them in charge, 1. Concerning the land itself: See what that is (Num 13:18, and again, Num 13:19), see whether it be good or bad, and (Num 13:20) whether it be fat or lean. All parts of the earth do not share alike in the blessing of fruitfulness; some countries are blessed with a richer soil than others. Moses himself was well satisfied that Canaan was a very good land, but he sent these spies to bring an account of it for the satisfaction of the people; as John Baptist sent to Jesus, to ask whether he was the Christ, not to inform himself, but to inform those he sent. They must take notice whether the air was healthful or no, what the soil was, and what the productions; and, for the better satisfaction of the people, they must bring with them some of the fruits. 2. Concerning the inhabitants - their number, few or many - their size and stature, whether strong able-bodied men or weak, - their habitations, whether they lived in tents or houses, whether in open villages or in walled towns, - whether the woods were standing as in those countries that are uncultivated, through the unskillfulness and slothfulness of the inhabitants, or whether the woods were cut down, and the country made champaign, for the convenience of tillage. These were the things they were to enquire about. Perhaps there had not been of late years such commerce between Egypt and Canaan as there was in Jacob's time, else they might have informed themselves of these things without sending men on purpose to search. See the advantage we may derive from books and learning, which acquaint those that are curious and inquisitive with the state of foreign countries, at a much greater distance than Canaan was now from Israel, without this trouble and expense.
IV. Moses dismisses the spies with this charge, Be of good courage, intimating, not only that they should be themselves encouraged against the difficulties of this expedition, but that they should bring an encouraging account to the people and make the best of every thing. It was not only a great undertaking they were put upon, which required good management and resolution, but it was a great trust that was reposed in them, which required that they should be faithful.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–20. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Numbers 13:13 precisely identifies Sethur, the son of Michael, as the chosen representative from the tribe of Asher among the twelve leaders commissioned by God, through Moses, to undertake a vital reconnaissance mission into the promised land of Canaan. This specific verse is an integral part of a comprehensive roster, setting the foundational stage for the subsequent narrative of faith, fear, and divine judgment that profoundly shaped Israel's wilderness journey and their ultimate entry into their inheritance.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Numbers 13:13, as an entry within a comprehensive list, primarily employs Enumeration and Repetition. The systematic listing of "Of the tribe of X, Y the son of Z" for each of the twelve spies creates a rhythmic Repetition that emphasizes the comprehensive and inclusive nature of the selection process, ensuring every tribe's participation. This repetitive structure also lends an air of officialdom, divine mandate, and meticulous record-keeping to the mission. While not a direct literary device functioning solely within this single verse, the broader context of the spy narrative powerfully utilizes Foreshadowing. The very act of sending spies, especially given the subsequent narrative of fear and rebellion, subtly yet powerfully foreshadows the impending crisis of faith and the tragic consequences of the majority report. The inclusion of each tribal representative, including Sethur, meticulously sets the stage for the collective failure that will tragically define this generation's fate. Furthermore, the list functions as a form of Metonymy, where the named individual (e.g., Sethur) stands representatively for the entire tribe he belongs to, underscoring the profound concept of corporate identity and responsibility within the nation of Israel.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 13:13, though a simple identification, contributes significantly to several profound theological themes central to the Pentateuch. It highlights God's meticulous attention to detail in His divine plans, extending even to the individual tribal representatives chosen for a specific task. The selection of twelve leaders, one from each tribe, powerfully underscores the principle of corporate representation and responsibility, demonstrating how the actions and choices of a few can profoundly impact the destiny of the many. This mission was, at its core, a test of faith, far more than a mere military reconnaissance. The tragic failure of ten out of the twelve spies, including presumably Sethur (as only Joshua and Caleb are singled out for their unwavering faithfulness), to trust God's unwavering promise over their fear of the formidable inhabitants of the land, vividly reveals the devastating consequences of unbelief. It teaches us that while God's promises are absolutely sure, their experiential realization often hinges on human faith and obedience, particularly when faced with daunting challenges and overwhelming odds. This narrative serves as a powerful and enduring reminder that God calls individuals to specific roles within His larger redemptive plan, and faithfulness in those roles, however seemingly minor or unglamorous, can have monumental implications for the entire community of faith.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The seemingly simple listing of Sethur the son of Michael in Numbers 13:13 offers profound and enduring lessons for contemporary believers. It serves as a powerful reminder that every individual, regardless of their prominence in the historical record, plays a specific and divinely appointed role in God's unfolding narrative. Sethur was chosen for a critical mission that would directly determine the immediate future of an entire nation. While his personal report is not detailed, his inclusion among the twelve underscores the weight of individual responsibility within a corporate body. We are all called to be faithful stewards in the "assignments" God places before us, whether they involve highly visible public leadership or quiet, behind-the-scenes service. The ultimate failure of the majority of the spies, rooted in fear and unbelief, serves as a stark and sobering warning about the devastating consequences of allowing human perception and worldly fear to override divine promise and sovereign power. Our choices, whether rooted in courageous faith or debilitating doubt, have ripple effects that extend far beyond ourselves, impacting our families, our communities, and the broader church. This verse calls us to cultivate a courageous and unwavering faith that trusts implicitly in God's power and promises, even when the "giants" in our lives seem overwhelming, and to walk in spiritual discernment, knowing that our individual decisions contribute significantly to the collective journey and spiritual vitality of God's people.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was Sethur, specifically, chosen from Asher?
Answer: The biblical text does not provide specific reasons for the selection of Sethur or any of the other individual spies, beyond stating that they were "leaders among the sons of Israel" (Numbers 13:2). Moses, acting under God's direct command, was instructed to send "a man from each of their fathers' tribes, every one a leader among them." Therefore, Sethur was chosen because he was recognized as a prominent, capable, and representative leader within the tribe of Asher. His selection underscores the fundamental principle of tribal representation, ensuring that each of the twelve tribes had a voice and a participant in this crucial reconnaissance mission. While the specific criteria Moses used to identify these leaders are not detailed, it would have involved their standing, wisdom, and ability to represent their people effectively and faithfully.
What happened to Sethur after the spy mission?
Answer: The Bible does not provide any further specific information about Sethur the son of Michael after his listing in Numbers 13:13. He is not mentioned again by name in the subsequent narrative. However, the fate of the ten unfaithful spies is clearly and tragically stated in Numbers 14:36-37. These ten men, who brought back a discouraging report and caused the entire congregation to grumble and rebel against the Lord, "died by a plague before the Lord." Since Sethur is not identified as one of the two faithful spies (Joshua and Caleb), it is highly probable, based on the narrative's outcome, that he was among the ten who succumbed to the plague as a direct consequence of their unbelief and the rebellion they incited. This tragic outcome highlights the severe consequences of failing to trust God's promises and leadership.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of the spies, including the specific appointment of Sethur from the tribe of Asher, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several compelling ways. While the ancient Israelites sent human spies to assess the strength of a physical land, Jesus Christ is the ultimate "scout" or divine forerunner who perfectly fulfills God's mission, not to spy out a land, but to open the way to the true, eternal spiritual inheritance. Unlike the ten unfaithful spies who brought back a report steeped in fear and unbelief, leading to a generation's downfall and wilderness wandering, Jesus is the perfectly obedient Son who always trusts the Father's will and power. He is the faithful leader who has gone before us, not to a land filled with physical giants, but into the very presence of God in heaven, securing our access to the heavenly inheritance. As our great High Priest, Jesus has passed through the heavens, enabling us to draw near to God with confidence and boldness, as beautifully described in Hebrews 4:14-16. He is the ultimate fulfillment of the promise of rest and eternal inheritance, a rest that the generation of the spies tragically failed to enter due to their unbelief. Moreover, Jesus is our unwavering anchor of hope, who has entered "within the veil" as a forerunner for us, just as Hebrews 6:19-20 proclaims. He is the one who truly leads His people into the promised life, declaring Himself to be "the way, and the truth, and the life" in John 14:6, ensuring that those who put their faith in Him will not wander in the wilderness of sin but will enter into eternal life and an unbreakable fellowship with God.