19 What kind of land do they live in? Is it good or bad? What kind of towns do they live in? Are they unwalled or fortified?
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;
19 and whether the land that they dwell in is good or bad, and whether the cities that they dwell in are camps or strongholds,
19 Observe the land: Is it pleasant or harsh? Describe the towns where they live: Are they open camps or fortified with walls?
19 whether the land they dwell in is good or bad; whether the cities they inhabit are like camps or strongholds;
19 See what kind of land they live in. Is it good or bad? Do their towns have walls, or are they unprotected like open camps?
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 13:19
Commentary on Numbers 13:1-20
(Read Numbers 13:1-20)
A memorable and melancholy history is related in this and the following chapter, of the turning back of Israel from the borders of Canaan, and the sentencing them to wander and perish in the wilderness, for their unbelief and murmuring. It appears, Deuteronomy 1:22, that the motion to search out the land came from the people. They had a better opinion of their own policy than of God's wisdom. Thus we ruin ourselves by believing the reports and representations of sense rather than Divine revelation. We walk by sight not by faith. Moses gave the spies this charge, Be of good courage. It was not only a great undertaking they were put upon, which required good management and resolution; but a great trust was reposed in them, which required that they should be faithful. Courage in such circumstances can only spring from strong faith, which Caleb and Joshua alone possessed.