According to the Book of Numbers, how many spies explored Canaan?

The story behind the answer

According to the Book of Numbers, twelve spies explored Canaan.

Moses sent one representative from each of the twelve tribes of Israel to investigate the land. They travelled through Canaan for forty days and returned carrying evidence of its agricultural abundance, including a large cluster of grapes.

Ten spies gave a fearful report, emphasizing the strength of the inhabitants. Joshua and Caleb, however, urged the Israelites to trust God and enter the land. The people accepted the majority report and rebelled against Moses.

As a consequence, the biblical narrative says that the adult generation would wander in the wilderness rather than enter Canaan. Joshua and Caleb were the two spies from that generation who were later allowed to enter.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Sept. 2026

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