The Spies Sent into Canaan
Numbers 13
Moses sends twelve men, one from each tribe, to spy out the land of Canaan, and they journey as far as Hebron and the valley of the cluster, bringing back grapes, pomegranates, and figs. Most of the spies report that the land is good but its inhabitants are strong and its cities fortified, spreading fear of the people they saw there, while Caleb urges the people to go up at once.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonAND the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
BrentonAnd the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
GreekΚαὶ ἐλάλησε Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν, λέγων, ἀπόστειλον σεαυτῷ ἄνδρας,
KJVAnd the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
JPSAnd the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying:
2
ThomsonSend men, and let them examine for thee the land of the Chananites, which I am about to give to the children of Israel for a possession. Thou shalt send a man for every tribe; according to the communities of their patriarchal families, thou shalt send them, every one a leader among them.
BrentonSend for thee men, and let them spy the land of the Chananites, which I give to the sons of Israel for a possession; one man for a tribe, thou shalt send them away according to their families, every one of them a prince.
Greekκαὶ κατασκεψάσθωσαν τὴν γῆν τῶν Χαναναίων, ἣν ἐγὼ δίδωμι τοῖς υἱοῖς Ἰσραὴλ εἰς κατάσχεσιν· ἄνδρα ἕνα κατὰ φυλήν, κατὰ δήμους πατριῶν αὐτῶν ἀποστελεῖς αὐτοὺς, πάντα ἀρχηγὸν ἐξ αὐτῶν.
KJVSend 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.
JPS’Send thou men, that they may spy out 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 prince among them.’
3
ThomsonSo Moses sent them from the wilderness of Pharan, by the command of the Lord.
BrentonAnd Moses sent them out of the wilderness of Pharan by the word of the Lord; all these were the princes of the sons of Israel.
GreekΚαὶ ἐξαπέστειλεν αὐτοὺς Μωυσῆς ἐκ τῆς ἐρήμου Φαρὰν διὰ φωνῆς Κυρίου· πάντες ἄνδρες ἀρχηγοὶ υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ οὗτοι.
KJVAnd Moses by the commandment of the LORD sent them from the wilderness of Paran: all those men were heads of the children of Israel.
JPSAnd Moses sent them from the wilderness of Paran according to the commandment of the LORD; all of them men who were heads of the children of Israel.
4
ThomsonAll the men were principal officers of the children of Israel, and these were their names—Of the tribe of Reuben, Samuel, son of Zachur;
BrentonAnd these are their names: of the tribe of Ruben, Samuel the son of Zachur.
GreekΚαὶ ταῦτα τὰ ὀνόματα αὐτῶν· τῆς φυλῆς Ῥουβὴν, Σαμουὴλ υἱὸς Ζαχούρ.
KJVAnd these were their names: of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur.
JPSAnd these were their names: of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur.
5
Thomsonof the tribe of Symeon, Saphat, son of Suri;
BrentonOf the tribe of Symeon, Saphat the son of Suri.
GreekΤῆς φυλῆς Συμεὼν, Σαφὰτ υἱὸς Σουρί.
KJVOf the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat the son of Hori.
JPSOf the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat the son of Hori.
6
ThomsonOf the tribe of Juda, Chaleb, son of Jephonne;
BrentonOf the tribe of Judah, Chaleb the son of Jephonne.
GreekΤῆς φυλῆς Ἰούδα, Χάλεβ υἱὸς Ἰεφοννή.
KJVOf the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.
JPSOf the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.
7
Thomsonof the tribe of Issachar, Ilaal, son of Joseph;
BrentonOf the tribe of Issachar, Ilaal the son of Joseph.
GreekΤῆς φυλῆς Ἰσσάχαρ, Ἰλαὰλ υἱὸς Ἰωσήφ.
KJVOf the tribe of Issachar, Igal the son of Joseph.
JPSOf the tribe of Issachar, Igal the son of Joseph.
8
Thomsonof the tribe of Ephraim, Ause, son of Naue;
BrentonOf the tribe of Ephraim, Ause the son of Naue.
GreekΤῆς φυλῆς Ἐφραὶμ, Αὐσὴ υἱὸς Ναυή.
KJVOf the tribe of Ephraim, Oshea the son of Nun.
JPSOf the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Nun.
9
Thomsonof the tribe of Benjamin, Phalti, son of Raphu;
BrentonOf the tribe of Benjamin, Phalti the son of Raphu.
GreekΤῆς φυλῆς Βενιαμὶν, Φαλτὶ υἱὸς Ῥαφοῦ.
KJVOf the tribe of Benjamin, Palti the son of Raphu.
JPSOf the tribe of Benjamin, Palti the son of Raphu.
10
Thomsonof the tribe of Zabulon, Gudiel, son of Sudi;
BrentonOf the tribe of Zabulon, Gudiel the son of Sudi.
GreekΤῆς φυλῆς Ζαβουλὼν, Γουδιὴλ υἱὸς Σουδί.
KJVOf the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi.
JPSOf the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi.
11
Thomsonof the tribe of Joseph—of the Manassites, Gaddi, son of Susi;
BrentonOf the tribe of Joseph of the sons of Manasse, Gaddi the son of Susi.
GreekΤῆς φυλῆς Ἰωσὴφ τῶν υἱῶν Μανασσῆ, Γαδδὶ υἱὸς Σουσί.
KJVOf the tribe of Joseph, namely, of the tribe of Manasseh, Gaddi the son of Susi.
JPSOf the tribe of Joseph, namely, of the tribe of Manasseh, Gaddi the son of Susi.
12
Thomsonof the tribe of Dan, Amiel, son of Gamali;
BrentonOf the tribe of Dan, Amiel the son of Gamali.
GreekΤῆς φυλῆς Δὰν, Ἀμιὴλ υἱὸς Γαμαλί.
KJVOf the tribe of Dan, Ammiel the son of Gemalli.
JPSOf the tribe of Dan, Ammiel the son of Gemalli.
13
Thomsonof the tribe of Aser, Sathur, son of Michael;
BrentonOf the tribe of Aser, Sathur the son of Michael.
GreekΤῆς φυλῆς Ἀσὴρ, Σαθοὺρ υἱὸς Μιχαήλ.
KJVOf the tribe of Asher, Sethur the son of Michael.
JPSOf the tribe of Asher, Sethur the son of Michael.
14
Thomsonof the tribe of Nephthaleim, Nabi, son of Sabi;
BrentonOf the tribe of Nephthali, Nabi the son of Sabi.
GreekΤῆς φυλῆς Νεφθαλὶ, Ναβὶ υἱὸς Σαβί.
KJVOf the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi.
JPSOf the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi.
15
Thomsonof the tribe of Gad, Gudiel, son of Makchi.
BrentonOf the tribe of Gad, Gudiel the son of Macchi.
GreekΤῆς φυλῆς Γὰδ, Γουδιὴλ υἱὸς Μακχί.
KJVOf the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi.
JPSOf the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi.
16
ThomsonThese were the names of the men whom Moses sent to examine the land: (now Moses had surnamed Ause, son of Nave, Joshua.)
BrentonThese are the names of the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land; and Moses called Ause the son of Naue, Joshua.
GreekΤαῦτα τὰ ὀνόματα τῶν ἀνδρῶν, οὓς ἀπέστειλε Μωυσῆς κατασκέψασθαι τὴν γῆν· καὶ ἐπωνόμασε Μωυσῆς τὸν Αὐσὴ υἱὸν Ναυὴ, Ἰησοῦν.
KJVThese are the names of the men which Moses sent to spy out the land. And Moses called Oshea the son of Nun Jehoshua.
JPSThese are the names of the men that Moses sent to spy out the land. And Moses called Hoshea the son of Nun Joshua.
17
ThomsonAnd upon sending them to view the land of Chanaan, Moses said to them, Having gone up through this wilderness, you shall go up to the mountain,
BrentonAnd Moses sent them to spy out the land of Chanaan, and said to them, Go up by this wilderness; and ye shall go up to the mountain,
GreekΚαὶ ἀπέστειλεν αὐτοὺς Μωυσῆς κατασκέψασθαι τὴν γῆν Χαναὰν, καὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτοὺς, ἀνάβητε ταύτῃ τῇ ἐρήμῳ, καὶ ἀναβήσεσθε εἰς τὸ ὄρος,
KJVAnd 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:
JPSAnd Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them: ‘Get you up here into the South, and go up into the mountains;
18
Thomsonand view the land, of what sort it is; and the people who are settled in it, whether they be strong or weak; whether few or many;
Brentonand ye shall see the land, what it is, and the people that dwells on it, whether it is strong or weak, or whether they are few or many.
Greekκαὶ ὄψεσθε τὴν γῆν τίς ἐστι, καὶ τὸν λαὸν τὸν ἐγκαθήμενον ἐπʼ αὐτῆς, εἰ ἰσχυρός ἐστιν ἢ ἀσθενὴς, ἢ ὀλίγοι εἰσὶν ἢ πολλοί.
KJVAnd see the land, what it is; and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many;
JPSand see the land, what it is; and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they are strong or weak, whether they are few or many;
19
Thomsonand what sort of a country it is in which they are settled, whether it is good or bad; and what sort of cities they inhabit, whether they dwell in cities with walls, or without walls,
BrentonAnd what the land is on which they dwell, whether it is good or bad; and what the cities are wherein these dwell, whether they dwell in walled cities or unwalled.
GreekΚαὶ τίς ἡ γῆ εἰς ἣν οὗτοι ἐγκάθηνται ἐπʼ αὐτῆς, ἢ καλή ἐστιν ἢ πονηρά· καὶ τίνες αἱ πόλεις ἃς οὗτοι κατοικοῦσιν ἐν αὐταῖς, εἰ ἐν τειχήρεσιν ἢ ἐν ἀτειχίστοις.
KJVAnd 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;
JPSand 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;
20
Thomsonand what the quality of the soil is, whether rich or poor; and whether there are trees there, or not. And having made a strict examination, you will bring with you some of the fruits of the land: (for their days, it being then the spring season, would reach to the time of the first ripe grapes.)
BrentonAnd what the land is, whether rich or poor; whether there are trees in it or no: and ye shall persevere and take of the fruits of the land: and the days were the days of spring, the forerunners of the grape.
GreekΚαὶ τίς ἡ γῆ, ἢ πίων ἢ παρειμένη· εἰ ἔστιν ἐν αὐτῇ δένδρα, ἢ οὔ· καὶ προσκαρτερήσαντες λήψεσθε ἀπὸ τῶν καρπῶν τῆς γῆς. καὶ αἱ ἡμέραι, ἡμέραι ἔαρος, πρόδρομοι σταφυλῆς.
KJV—
JPS—
21
ThomsonSo they went up, and viewed the country from the wilderness of Sin, as far as Roob on the way to Aimath.
BrentonAnd they went up and surveyed the land from the wilderness of Sin to Rhoob, as men go in to Æmath.
GreekΚαὶ ἀναβάντες κατεσκέψαντο τὴν γῆν ἀπὸ τῆς ἐρήμου Σὶν ἕως Ῥοὸβ, εἰσπορευομένων Αἰμάθ.
KJVSo they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath.
JPSSo they went up, and spied out the land from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, at the entrance to Hamath.
22
ThomsonThen they went up, on a course parallel with the front of the desert; then turned down to Chebron, where were the Achimans and the Sessians, and the Thelamins, descendants of Enach. Now Chebron was built seven years before Tanis in Egypt.
BrentonAnd they went up by the wilderness, and departed as far as Chebron; and there was Achiman, and Sessi, and Thelami, the progeny of Enach. Now Chebron was built seven years before Tanin of Egypt.
GreekΚαὶ ἀνέβησαν κατὰ τὴν ἔρημον, καὶ ἀπῆλθον ἕως Χεβρὼν, καὶ ἐκεῖ Ἀχιμὰν, καὶ Σεσσὶ, καὶ Θελαμὶ, γενεαὶ Ἐνάχ· καὶ Χεβρὼν ἐπτὰ ἔτεσιν ᾠκοδομήθη πρὸ τοῦ Τανὶν Αἰγύπτου.
KJVAnd 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.)
JPSAnd they went up into the South, and came unto Hebron; and Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were there.—Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.—
23
ThomsonAnd having come to the valley of grapes, and viewed it, they cut there a branch with a cluster of grapes on it, and carried it on poles, with some pomegranates and figs:
BrentonAnd they came to the valley of the cluster and surveyed it; and they cut down thence a bough and one cluster of grapes upon it, and bore it on staves, and they took of the pomegranates and the figs.
GreekΚαὶ ἤλθοσαν ἕως φάραγγος βότρυος, καὶ κατεσκέψαντο αὐτήν· καὶ ἔκοψαν ἐκεῖθεν κλῆμα καὶ βότρυν σταφυλῆς ἕνα ἐπʼ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ᾖραν αὐτὸν ἐπʼ ἀναφορεύσι, καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν ῥοῶν, καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν συκῶν.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd they came unto the valley of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bore it upon a pole between two; they took also of the pomegranates, and of the figs.—
24
Thomsonand they called the name of that place, Valley of Grapes; because of the bunch of grapes which the children of Israel cut there.
BrentonAnd they called that place, The valley of the cluster, because of the cluster which the children of Israel cut down from thence.
GreekΚαὶ τὸν τόπον ἐκεῖνον ἐπωνόμασαν Φάραγξ βότρυος, διὰ τὸν βότρυν, ὃν ἔκοψαν ἐκεῖθεν οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραήλ.
KJVThe place was called the brook Eshcol, because of the cluster of grapes which the children of Israel cut down from thence.
JPSThat place was called the valley of Eshcol, because of the cluster which the children of Israel cut down from thence.—
25
ThomsonAnd having viewed the land, they set out thence on their return, after forty days,
BrentonAnd they returned from thence, having surveyed the land, after forty days.
GreekΚαὶ ἀπέστρεψαν ἐκεῖθεν κατασκεψάμενοι τὴν γῆν μετὰ τεσσαράκοντα ἡμέρας.
KJVAnd they returned from searching of the land after forty days.
JPSAnd they returned from spying out the land at the end of forty days.
26
Thomsonand journeying on came to Moses and Aaron, and to all the congregation of the Israelites in the wilderness of Pharan Kades, and made report to them and to all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land.
BrentonAnd they proceeded and came to Moses and Aaron and all the congregation of the children of Israel, to the wilderness of Pharan Cades; and they brought word to them and to all the congregation, and they shewed the fruit of the land:
GreekΚαὶ πορευθέντες ἦλθον πρὸς Μωυσῆν καὶ Ἀαρὼν καὶ πρὸς πᾶσαν συναγωγὴν υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ, εἰς τὴν ἔρημον Φαρὰν Κάδης· καὶ ἀπεκρίθησαν αὐτοῖς ῥῆμα καὶ πάσῃ συναγωγῇ, καὶ ἔδειξαν τὸν καρπὸν τῆς γῆς,
KJVAnd they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land.
JPSAnd they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land.
27
ThomsonAnd they gave him a minute detail and said, We went to the country to which thou didst send us, a land flowing with milk and honey, and this is the fruit of it.
Brentonand they reported to him, and said, We came into the land into which thou sentest us, a land flowing with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it.
Greekκαὶ διηγήσαντο αὐτῷ, καὶ εἶπαν, ἤλθαμεν εἰς τὴν γῆν εἰς ἣν ἀπέστειλας ἡμᾶς, γῆν ῥέουσαν γάλα καὶ μέλι· καὶ οὗτος ὁ καρπὸς αὐτῆς.
KJVAnd they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it.
JPSAnd they told him, and said: ‘We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it.
28
ThomsonBut nevertheless because the nation which inhabiteth it is bold and the cities strong, defended with walls, and very large, and we have seen there the race of Enach; and
BrentonOnly the nation that dwells upon it is bold, and they have very great and strong walled towns, and we saw there the children of Enach.
GreekἈλλʼ ἢ ὅτι θρασὺ τὸ ἔθνος τὸ κατοικοῦν ἐπʼ αὐτῆς, καὶ πόλεις ὀχυραὶ τετειχισμέναι μεγάλαι σφόδρα· καὶ τὴν γενεὰν Ἐνὰχ ἑωράκαμεν ἐκεῖ.
KJVNevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there.
JPSHowbeit the people that dwell in the land are fierce, and the cities are fortified, and very great; and moreover we saw the children of Anak there.
29
Thomsonthe Amalekites dwell in the land to the south, and the Chettites, and the Evites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, inhabit the hilly country; and the Chananites dwell on the sea shore, and along the river Jordan.
BrentonAnd Amalec dwells in the land toward the south: and the Chettite and the Evite, and the Jebusite, and the Amorite dwells in the hill country: and the Chananite dwells by the sea, and by the river Jordan.
GreekΚαὶ Ἀμαλὴκ κατοικεῖ ἐν τῇ γῇ τῇ πρὸς Νότον· καὶ ὁ Χετταῖος, καὶ ὁ Εὐαῖος, καὶ ὁ Ἰεβουσαῖος, καὶ ὁ Ἀμοῤῥαῖος κατοικεῖ ἐν τῇ ὀρεινῇ· καὶ ὁ Χαναναῖος κατοικεῖ παρὰ θάλασσαν, καὶ παρὰ τὸν Ἰορδάνην ποταμόν.
KJVThe Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan.
JPSAmalek dwelleth in the land of the South; and the Hittite, and the Jebusite, and the Amorite, dwell in the mountains; and the Canaanite dwelleth by the sea, and along by the side of the Jordan.
30
ThomsonHere Chaleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, We have only to go up, and we shall possess it, for we are stronger than they.
BrentonAnd Chaleb stayed the people from speaking before Moses, and said to him, Nay, but we will go up by all means, and will inherit it, for we shall surely prevail against them.
GreekΚαὶ κατεσιώπησε Χάλεβ τὸν λαὸν πρὸς Μωυσῆν, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ, οὐχὶ, ἀλλὰ ἀναβάντες ἀναβησόμεθα, καὶ κατακληρονομήσομεν αὐτὴν, ὅτι δυνατοὶ δυνησόμεθα πρὸς αὐτούς.
KJVAnd Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.
JPS—
31
ThomsonBut the men who went up with him said: We will not go up; for we are not able to go up against that nation; for it is much more powerful than we are.
BrentonBut the men that went up together with him said, We will not go up, for we shall not by any means be able to go up against the nation, for it is much stronger than we.
GreekΚαὶ οἱ ἄνθρωποι οἱ συναναβάντες μετʼ αὐτοῦ, εἶπαν, οὐκ ἀναβαίνομεν, ὅτι οὐ μὴ δυνώμεθα ἀναβῆναι πρὸς τὸ ἔθνος, ὅτι ἰσχυρότερον ἡμῶν ἐστι μᾶλλον.
KJVBut the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.
JPSBut the men that went up with him said: ‘We are not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.’
32
ThomsonAnd they gave an astonishing account of the land which they had viewed, to the children of Israel, saying, The land through which we passed to view it, is a land which devoureth them who dwell therein; and all the people which we saw are men of immense stature.
BrentonAnd they brought a horror of that land which they surveyed upon the children of Israel, saying, The land which we passed by to survey it, is a land that eats up its inhabitants; and all the people whom we saw in it are men of extraordinary stature.
GreekΚαὶ ἐξήνεγκαν ἔκστασιν τῆς γῆς ἣν κατεσκέψαντο αὐτὴν πρὸς τοὺς υἱοὺς Ἰσραὴλ, λέγοντες, τὴν γῆς ἣν παρήλθομεν αὐτὴν κατασκέψασθαι, γῆ κατέσθουσα τοὺς κατοικοῦντας ἐπʼ αὐτῆς ἐστι· καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ὃν ἑωράκαμεν ἐν αὐτῇ, ἄνδρες ὑπερμήκεις.
KJVAnd they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature.
JPSAnd they spread an evil report of the land which they had spied out unto the children of Israel, saying: ‘The land, through which we have passed to spy it out, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of great stature.
33
ThomsonThere indeed we saw the giants, and we were before them like grasshoppers—indeed we were nothing else before them.
BrentonAnd there we saw the giants; and we were before them as locusts, yea even so were we before them.
GreekΚαὶ ἐκεῖ ἑωράκαμεν τοὺς γίγαντας, καὶ ἦμεν ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν ὡσεὶ ἀκρίδες· ἀλλὰ καὶ οὕτως ἦμεν ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν.
KJVAnd there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.
JPSAnd there we saw the Nephilim, the sons of Anak, who come of the Nephilim; and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.’