Numbers 13:18 (BSB)

See what the land is like and whether its people are strong or weak, few or many.

From Numbers 13. Also in the ESV.

Commentary on Numbers 13:18

• John Calvin (Reformed), Calvin's Commentaries on Numbers 13:18: 18. And see the land what it is. The counsel of Moses had this object, that the people might be made aware how rich and fertile the land was; for a barren country does not support a large population; and the healthfulness of a locality is inferred from the rigor of its inhabitants, tie, therefore, chiefly insists on the goodness of the land and its abundant production of fruits.
• Matthew Henry (Presbyterian), Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on Numbers 13:1-20: 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.
• John Gill (Reformed Baptist), Exposition of the Old and New Testaments on Numbers 13:18: The place was called the brook of Eshcol,.... That is, in later times: because of the cluster of grapes which the children of Israel cut down from thence; the word "Eschol" signifying a "cluster"; and this cluster was typical of Christ, who may be compared to this, as he is to a cluster of camphire, Sol 1:14; there being in him a "cluster" of all...
• Keil & Delitzsch (Lutheran), Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament on Numbers 13:18-20: Num 13:18-20 They were to see the land, “what it was,” i.e., what was its character, and the people that dwelt in it, whether they were strong, i.e., courageous and brave, or weak, i.e., spiritless and timid, and whether they were little or great, i.e., numerically; (Num 13:19) what the land was, whether good or bad, sc., with regard to climate and cultivation, and whether...