Spies

How Nave’s arranged it

• General scriptures concerningGenesis 42:9
• Sent to investigate
• CanaanNumbers 13
• JaazerNumbers 21:32
• JerichoJoshua 2:1
• Used by David1 Samuel 26:4
• Used at the court of Absalom2 Samuel 15:102 Samuel 17:1–17
• Pharisees acted asLuke 20:20
• In the congregation of GalatiaGalatians 2:4

The passages, in Bible order (9)

The same references, sorted Genesis to Revelation. The first 9 are quoted in full; the rest are one click beneath them, book by book.

1. Genesis 42:9

   Joseph remembered his dreams about them and said, “You are spies! You have come to see if our land is vulnerable.”

   ›Commentary on Genesis 42:92 voices

   “Ye are spies--This is a suspicion entertained regarding strangers in all Eastern countries down to the present day. Joseph, however, who was well aware that his brethren were not spies, has been charged with cruel dissimulation, with a deliberate violation of what he knew to be the truth, in imputing to them such a character.

   “Ye are spies - מרגלים אתם meraggelim attem, ye are footmen, trampers about, footpads, vagabonds, lying in wait for the property of others; persons who, under the pretense of wishing to buy corn, desire only to find out whether the land be so defenceless that the tribes to which ye belong (see Gen 42:11) may attack it successfully, drive out the inhabitants, and settle in it themselves; or, having plundered it, retire to their deserts. This is a frequent custom among the Arabs to the present day.

   Everything gathered on Genesis 42:9→

   Verse page →Original language →

2. Numbers 13:1

   And the LORD said to Moses,

   Verse page →Original language →

3. Numbers 21:32

   After Moses had sent spies to Jazer, Israel captured its villages and drove out the Amorites who were there.

   ›Commentary on Numbers 21:321 voice

   “Jaazer - To he identified probably with the ruins Sir or es-Sir 10 miles north of Heshbon. The occupation of it by the Israelites virtually completed their conquest of the Amorite kingdom; and prepared the way for the pastoral settlements in it which they not long after established Num 32:35.

   Everything gathered on Numbers 21:32→

   Verse page →Original language →

4. Joshua 2:1

   Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim, saying, “Go, inspect the land, especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.

   ›Commentary on Joshua 2:12 voices

   “Jericho - That is, the land about Jericho, together with the city. The land and Jericho, that is, especially Jericho. Harlot's - So the Hebrew word is used, Judg. xi, 1, and so it is rendered by two apostles, Heb. xi, 31 James ii, 25, such she either now was, or rather, had been formerly.

   “Rahab; what is the force of her name? We have been following the historical sense; let us now reflect upon the anagogic significance of the name. Rahab thus admits of two interpretations: the name may imply either a "broad space" or, better, "pride." Consider, therefore, its impact. She who formerly walked the broad, spacious road to death, she whose pride was driving her to destruction, was later converted unto humility.

   Everything gathered on Joshua 2:1→

   Verse page →Original language →

5. 1 Samuel 26:4

   David sent out spies to verify that Saul had arrived.

   Verse page →Original language →

6. 2 Samuel 15:10

   Then Absalom sent spies throughout the tribes of Israel with this message: “When you hear the sound of the horn, you are to say, ‘Absalom reigns in Hebron!’”

   ›Commentary on 2 Samuel 15:102 voices

   “Absalom sent spies - These persons were to go into every tribe; and the trumpet was to be blown as a signal for all to arise, and proclaim Absalom in every place. The trumpet was probably used as a kind of telegraph by the spies: trumpet exciting trumpet from place to place; so that, in a few minutes all Israel would hear the proclamation.

   “How should a man of such good principles as David, and a man of such corrupt principles as Ahithophel, long agree? A fitter tool Absalom could not find in all the kingdom than one that was so great a statesman, and yet was disaffected to the present ministry. While Absalom was offering his sacrifices, in performance of his pretended vow, he sent for this man.

   Everything gathered on 2 Samuel 15:10→

   Verse page →Original language →

7. 2 Samuel 17:1–17

   Furthermore, Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David.

   ›Commentary on 2 Samuel 17:1–172 voices

   “But his dexterity was chiefly displayed in that part of his counsel which recommended a general levy throughout the country; and that Absalom should take command of it in person--thereby flattering at once the pride and ambition of the usurper. The bait was caught by the vainglorious and wicked prince.

   “This night - The night of the day on which David fled, and Absalom entered into Jerusalem. Ahithophel’s idea was to fall upon David by surprise, and in the first confusion of the surprised army to seize and kill David only.

   Everything gathered on 2 Samuel 17:1–17→

   Verse page →Original language →

8. Luke 20:20

   So they watched Him closely and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. They were hoping to catch Him in His words in order to hand Him over to the rule and authority of the governor.

   ›Commentary on Luke 20:202 voices

   Let us mark, for one thing, in this passage — the cloak of goodness under which some of our Lord's enemies approached Him. We read that "they sent spies, who pretended to be honest. They hoped to catch Him in something he said so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor." We read further that they attempted to trick Him by flattering words, "Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality — but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth."

   “They watched him - Παρατηρησαντες, Insidiously watching. See on Luk 14:1 (note). Spies - Εγκαθετους, from εν, in, and καθιημι, I let down, to set in ambush. One who crouches in some secret place to spy, listen, catch, or hurt. Hesychius explains the word by ενεδρευοντες, those who lie in wait, or in ambush, to surprise and slay. Josephus uses the word to signify a person bribed for a particular purpose. See War, b. ii. c. ii. s. 5, and b. vi. c. v. s.

   Everything gathered on Luke 20:20→

   Verse page →Original language →

9. Galatians 2:4

   This issue arose because some false brothers had come in under false pretenses to spy on our freedom in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us.

   ›Commentary on Galatians 2:42 voices

   “If they had found that we circumcised Titus through fear of the apostles, they would have made that a ground for insisting on imposing the legal yoke on the Gentiles. bring us into bondage--The Greek future implies the certainty and continuance of the bondage as the result.

   “So great had been his desire to be approved and supported by those whom you wish on all occasions to be understood as in alliance with Judaism! When indeed he says, that "neither was Titus circumcised," he for the first time shows us that circumcision was the only question connected with the maintenance of the law, which had been as yet agitated by those whom he therefore calls "false brethren unawares brought in." These persons went no further than to insist on a continuance of the law, retaining unquestionably a sincere belief in the Creator.

   Everything gathered on Galatians 2:4→

   Verse page →Original language →