And Moses by the commandment of the LORD sent them from the wilderness of Paran: all those men were heads of the children of Israel.

NUMBERS 13:3KJV
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Numbers 13:3 (KJV)

What does Numbers 13:3 mean?

Numbers 13:3 says that Moses, following God's direct instruction, sent men from the wilderness of Paran to scout the land. All the men chosen for this task were recognized leaders among the Israelites.

In this verse, Moses is acting on a command from the LORD to select representatives from each tribe while the Israelites are camped in the wilderness of Paran. The verse highlights that these were not just ordinary men, but the "heads" or chief leaders of the people, showing the importance and seriousness of the mission to explore the land ahead.

Why Numbers 13:3 matters

  • Numbers 13:3 clarifies that the decision to send the scouts was not Moses' own idea but was done "by the commandment of the LORD," emphasizing God's involvement in the process.
  • The verse stresses that those sent were leaders, not just any members of the community, which underscores the significance and trust placed in this mission.
  • This detail sets the stage for the events that follow, showing that the report of the scouts would carry great weight among the people because it came from their recognized leaders.

Where else these words appear

“Paran” Hebrew H6290 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 21:21 And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran: and his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt.
  • Numbers 13:26 And 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.
  • 1 Samuel 25:1 And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran.

“were” Hebrew H1992 · used in 44 verses

  • Genesis 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
  • Numbers 14:38 But Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of the men that went to search the land, lived still.
  • Psalms 38:10 My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.