Numbers 13:19

KJV

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;

KJV (with Strong's)

And what the land {H776} is that they dwell in {H3427}, whether it be good {H2896} or bad {H7451}; and what cities {H5892} they be that they dwell {H3427} in {H2007}, whether in tents {H4264}, or in strong holds {H4013};

Complete Jewish Bible

and what kind of country they live in, whether it is good or bad; and what kind of cities they live in, open or fortified.

Berean Standard Bible

Is the land where they live good or bad? Are the cities where they dwell open camps or fortifications?

American Standard Version

and what the land is that they dwell in, whether it is good or bad; and what cities they are that they dwell in, whether in camps, or in strongholds;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 13:19 details Moses' specific instructions to the twelve tribal leaders sent to scout the land of Canaan. This verse directs the spies to assess two critical aspects: the inherent quality of the land itself, discerning whether it is "good or bad" for sustaining life and agriculture, and the nature of the inhabitants' dwellings, observing whether they reside in temporary "tents" or formidable "strong holds." These directives were vital for gathering comprehensive intelligence to prepare the Israelite nation for their impending conquest and settlement of the Promised Land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers chapter 13 initiates a pivotal moment in Israel's journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. Following the Israelites' arrival at Kadesh-barnea, the narrative describes God's command to Moses to send one leader from each of the twelve tribes to explore Canaan (though Deuteronomy 1:22 suggests the people's request also played a role). Verses 17-20 contain Moses' detailed instructions for this reconnaissance mission. Verse 19, specifically, focuses on evaluating the land's intrinsic value and the strategic nature of the enemy's settlements. This immediate context sets the stage for the spies' forty-day mission and their subsequent report in [Numbers 13:26-33](/numbers/13-26 "Numbers 13:26-33 - The Spies' Report"), which tragically led to the people's rebellion and forty years of wilderness wandering.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time of this event, the Israelites were encamped at Kadesh-barnea, on the southern border of Canaan, poised to enter the land promised to their ancestors. The ancient Near East was characterized by various city-states and tribal groups, often fortified against external threats. Military reconnaissance was a common and necessary practice before any major campaign. Understanding the terrain, resources, and the strength of enemy fortifications was crucial for strategic planning. The contrast between "tents" (implying nomadic or less settled populations) and "strong holds" (indicating well-established, fortified cities) provided essential intelligence about the nature of the inhabitants and the scale of the military challenge ahead, reflecting the realities of warfare and settlement in that era.
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 13:19 contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Numbers and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Promise and Human Prudence**. While God had promised a "land flowing with milk and honey" ([Exodus 3:8](/exodus/3-8 "Exodus 3:8 - The Promise of the Land")), Moses' instructions demonstrate the necessity of human diligence and strategic preparation. God's promises do not negate the need for wisdom and careful assessment. Secondly, the verse underscores the **Nature of the Promised Land** itself, which, though divinely appointed, was not without its challenges. The spies were to objectively evaluate its "good or bad" aspects, setting up the subsequent tension between the land's inherent goodness and the formidable obstacles presented by its inhabitants. Finally, the focus on "strong holds" emphasizes the theme of **Conquest and Warfare**, reminding Israel that inheriting their covenantal land would require military engagement and a reliance on God's power to overcome formidable adversaries, as exemplified later by Caleb's faith in [Numbers 14:7-9](/numbers/14-7 "Numbers 14:7-9 - Caleb and Joshua's Faithful Report").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Good (Hebrew, _ṭōḇ_):** This word carries a broad semantic range, encompassing not only moral goodness but also suitability, pleasantness, prosperity, and inherent quality. In the context of the land, it refers to its fertility, abundance, and overall suitability for supporting a large population, indicating a land of blessing and provision.
* **Bad (Hebrew, _rāʿ_):** The antonym of _ṭōḇ_, this term denotes what is undesirable, difficult, harmful, or poor in quality. Applied to the land, it would suggest barrenness, scarcity of resources, or challenging terrain that would hinder settlement and sustenance.
* **Strong holds (Hebrew, _mibṣār_):** This noun refers to fortified places, fortresses, or walled cities. It signifies places that are militarily defensible and difficult to conquer, implying the strength and established nature of the inhabitants. The assessment of these "strong holds" was crucial for understanding the military challenge Israel would face.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And what the land [is] that they dwell in, whether it [be] good or bad;":** This initial clause instructs the spies to conduct a thorough evaluation of the land's intrinsic quality. They were to determine its agricultural potential, its water sources, its general habitability, and its capacity to sustain the Israelite nation. This was not a superficial glance but a detailed assessment of its inherent value and challenges from a practical, economic, and ecological perspective. The "good or bad" dichotomy served as a fundamental assessment criterion for the land's overall desirability and viability.
* **"and what cities [they be] that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds;":** The second clause shifts the focus from the land's natural quality to the human element – the inhabitants and their settlements. The spies were to observe the nature of the cities. Were the people nomadic, living in temporary "tents," suggesting a less organized, perhaps more vulnerable population? Or were they settled in formidable, well-defended "strong holds" (fortified cities), indicating a powerful, established, and militarily capable enemy? This intelligence was paramount for Moses and the Israelite leadership to formulate a strategic plan for conquest.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 13:19 employs several literary devices to convey its precise instructions. The most prominent is **Dichotomy**, presenting two clear opposing options for assessment: "good or bad" for the land's quality and "tents or strong holds" for the nature of the dwellings. This binary structure emphasizes the comprehensive and objective nature of the reconnaissance mission, requiring the spies to categorize their observations clearly. There is also an implied **Interrogative Tone** within the instructions, as Moses is essentially posing questions that the spies are to answer through their observations. This highlights the information-gathering purpose of the mission. Furthermore, the verse exhibits a form of **Parallelism** in its two main clauses, both beginning with "And what..." and proceeding to inquire about a key aspect of the land (its quality) and its inhabitants (their dwellings), reinforcing the two primary areas of intelligence gathering.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 13:19, though a practical instruction, carries significant theological weight. It underscores the balance between divine promise and human responsibility. God had promised Israel a "good land," yet Moses' instructions reveal that this promise did not negate the need for human diligence, strategic planning, and a sober assessment of reality. The "good or bad" assessment of the land relates to God's character as a provider, while the "strong holds" represent the obstacles that would test Israel's faith and reliance on God's power. This tension between what God has promised and the challenges humans face in realizing that promise is a recurring biblical theme, culminating in the ultimate spiritual battles believers face.

* [Deuteronomy 8:7-9](/deuteronomy/8-7 "Deuteronomy 8:7-9 - Description of the Promised Land")
* [Joshua 14:12](/joshua/14-12 "Joshua 14:12 - Caleb's Request for the Mountain of the Anakim")
* [Proverbs 14:15](/proverbs/14-15 "Proverbs 14:15 - The Prudent Man Considers His Steps")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 13:19 offers enduring lessons for believers today, emphasizing the critical balance between unwavering faith in God's promises and the practical wisdom of diligent preparation. Just as Moses instructed the spies to assess the "good or bad" of the land and the nature of the "strong holds," we are called to discern the realities of our own "promised lands"—whether they be new opportunities, ministries, or personal challenges. This involves soberly evaluating both the blessings and potential difficulties, recognizing that God often works through our informed efforts. While we trust in God's ultimate provision and victory, we are not to be naive or reckless. Instead, we are to be prayerful, discerning, and strategic, identifying both the inherent goodness of God's gifts and the "strong holds" of spiritual opposition, cultural challenges, or personal weaknesses that might impede our progress. This verse encourages us to engage with our realities, not in fear, but with wisdom, so that we can walk confidently into the inheritance God has prepared for us, equipped for both blessing and battle.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I balance unwavering faith in God's promises with prudent preparation and realistic assessment in my own life or ministry?**
* **What "good lands" (blessings, opportunities, or callings) has God placed before me, and how am I truly assessing their potential and challenges?**
* **What "strong holds" (spiritual opposition, personal strongholds, or external obstacles) do I need to identify and prepare to confront, relying on God's strength and wisdom?**

### FAQ
**Was it wrong for Moses to send spies if God had already promised the land to Israel?**

Answer: No, sending the spies was not inherently an act of unfaithfulness or a questioning of God's promise. While God had indeed promised the land, He often works through human means and wisdom. This reconnaissance mission was intended for strategic planning, understanding the challenges, and building confidence among the people, not to determine if God's promise was true. The error lay not in the mission itself, but in the majority of the spies' fearful report and the people's subsequent lack of faith and rebellion, as recounted in [Numbers 14](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - Israel's Rebellion and God's Judgment"). Moses' instructions in [Numbers 13:17-20](/numbers/13-17 "Numbers 13:17-20 - Moses' Instructions to the Spies") reflect a wise leader preparing his people for a significant undertaking.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 13:19, in its call to assess the "good or bad" of the land and the nature of its "strong holds," finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. The "good land" that Israel was to inherit foreshadows the spiritual inheritance and abundant life found in Jesus Christ, which is truly "good" beyond measure, filled with every spiritual blessing ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")). Moreover, the "strong holds" that the spies were to identify represent the spiritual strongholds of sin, death, and the powers of darkness that hold humanity captive. Jesus, as the ultimate "scout" and conqueror, entered the human condition, fully assessed the spiritual landscape, and triumphed over every "strong hold" of the enemy through His death and resurrection ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). He has disarmed the rulers and authorities, making a public spectacle of them. Believers, in Christ, are now empowered to pull down spiritual strongholds in their own lives and in the world, not by their own might, but by the divine power of the gospel ([2 Corinthians 10:4-5](/2_corinthians/10-4 "2 Corinthians 10:4-5 - Pulling Down Strongholds")). The true Promised Land is the rest and inheritance we have in Him, a reality secured by His victory, not by human reconnaissance or military might ([Hebrews 4:1-11](/hebrews/4 "Hebrews 4 - The Rest of God")).

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.