Deuteronomy 1 23

Deuteronomy 1:23 kjv

And the saying pleased me well: and I took twelve men of you, one of a tribe:

Deuteronomy 1:23 nkjv

"The plan pleased me well; so I took twelve of your men, one man from each tribe.

Deuteronomy 1:23 niv

The idea seemed good to me; so I selected twelve of you, one man from each tribe.

Deuteronomy 1:23 esv

The thing seemed good to me, and I took twelve men from you, one man from each tribe.

Deuteronomy 1:23 nlt

"This seemed like a good idea to me, so I chose twelve scouts, one from each of your tribes.

Deuteronomy 1 verses

Deuteronomy 1 23 Meaning

Deuteronomy 1:23 recounts Moses' approval of the Israelites' suggestion to send spies into the land of Canaan, which God had promised them. Moses found this idea reasonable and consequently selected twelve representatives, one from each of the Israelite tribes, to undertake this reconnaissance mission. This verse marks a pivotal decision point that ultimately revealed the people's deep-seated unbelief, leading to profound consequences.

Deuteronomy 1 23 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 1 opens Moses' valedictory address to the new generation of Israelites assembled on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land. This entire book is a re-telling of God's law and a review of Israel's history from the Exodus to the present. Moses' purpose in recounting these past events is to instruct and warn the new generation based on the failures of their parents, specifically focusing on the pivotal rebellion at Kadesh-Barnea.

Verse 23 fits into this historical summary by detailing the crucial moment where the people, expressing fear about the giants in the land, suggested sending spies to reconnoiter Canaan. Moses, thinking it a good idea, assented to their request and proceeded to select representatives from each tribe. This decision, seemingly wise in human terms, set the stage for the disastrous reports of the ten spies and the subsequent lack of faith from the majority, which ultimately resulted in the entire generation (save Joshua and Caleb) being barred from entering the Promised Land and instead condemned to wander in the wilderness for forty years. It underscores that what might appear as prudent human initiative can be a manifestation of underlying spiritual unbelief when not rooted in full trust in God's promises and power.

Deuteronomy 1 23 Word analysis

• And the saying pleased me well:

  • Hebrew: וַיִּיטַב֙ בְּעֵינַ֣י (vayyitab b'êynāy). Literally "and it was good in my eyes."
  • Meaning: This phrase denotes Moses' subjective approval or the fact that the suggestion seemed proper and favorable to him. It reflects human reasoning and leadership, accepting what appeared to be a prudent course of action. However, when juxtaposed with the parallel account in Numbers 13 where God Himself instructs the sending of spies, it highlights the complex interplay of divine sovereignty and human agency. From God's perspective, He permitted it as a test; from Moses' perspective, it seemed a reasonable tactical step, perhaps not fully discerning the underlying lack of faith in the people's request (Deut 1:22).
  • Significance: While seemingly positive, Moses' agreement ultimately set a process in motion that exposed the Israelites' deepest failure of trust, leading to divine judgment.

• and I took:

  • Hebrew: וָאֶקַּ֥ח (va'eqqah). From the verb לָקַח (lâqaḥ), "to take," "to receive," "to select."
  • Meaning: This signifies Moses' active leadership role in implementing the decision. It was not merely an approval but a decisive action taken to fulfill the agreed-upon plan. Moses personally chose and commissioned the individuals for this important mission.
  • Significance: It shows Moses' direct involvement and responsibility in the selection process, which in turn reflects on the authority of the mission carried out by the spies.

• twelve men:

  • Hebrew: שְׁנֵ֥ים עָשָׂר֙ אֲנָשִׁ֖ים (shnêm 'āśār 'anâshîm). "Two-ten men."
  • Meaning: The number twelve is symbolically significant in Israelite and biblical tradition, consistently representing completeness and the entirety of the tribes of Israel (e.g., twelve sons of Jacob, twelve stones on the high priest's breastplate, twelve apostles in the New Testament).
  • Significance: Selecting twelve men ensured comprehensive representation across the entire nation, signifying that the report they would bring back concerned the whole of Israel, and that the entire nation would collectively share in the responsibility for the decision made based on that report. Each tribe was equally invested.

• one of a tribe:

  • Hebrew: אִ֤ישׁ אֶחָ֣ד לַשָּׁבֶ֔ט (îsh 'eḥād lashshâveṭ). "A man, one, for the tribe."
  • Meaning: This emphasizes equitable representation. Each tribal lineage was to have a delegate, ensuring that every part of the Israelite community felt their interests and perspective were included in this vital scouting mission. These delegates were often prominent figures, described in Num 13:2 as "heads" or "leaders."
  • Significance: It ensured broad consensus and communal accountability for the eventual decision that would be made upon the spies' return. The shared nature of the decision and its disastrous consequences were thus experienced by all segments of Israel.

Deuteronomy 1 23 Bonus section

• Tension in Narrative Initiation: Deuteronomy 1 suggests the people proposed sending spies, and Moses approved. Numbers 13, however, states that the LORD commanded Moses to send spies. This is not a contradiction but rather complementary perspectives. Moses' speech in Deuteronomy emphasizes the human initiative and responsibility that underlay the decision (which was likely born out of fear and hesitancy, despite God's previous promises). God, in Numbers, then takes this human desire and integrates it into His plan, commanding the mission, perhaps as a test or an accommodation to the people's doubts, to reveal their hearts.
• Significance of Leaders as Spies: As mentioned in Num 13:2, the spies were chosen from among the "heads of the children of Israel." This elevates their stature and the weight of their eventual report. The failure of ten of these respected leaders to uphold faith significantly contributed to the nation's widespread rebellion.

Deuteronomy 1 23 Commentary

Deuteronomy 1:23 stands as a concise yet deeply significant statement, revealing Moses' human agreement to the people's proposal to send spies into Canaan. While seemingly a practical, even commendable, leadership decision, this agreement was ultimately built upon the people's underlying lack of trust in God's explicit promise to give them the land. Moses' "pleased me well" reflected a reasonable human assessment, not necessarily a divine imperative at that point. He acted responsibly in choosing representatives "one of a tribe," ensuring nationwide inclusion in this crucial venture.

However, the subsequent events—the negative report from ten of the twelve spies and the people's overwhelming panic and rebellion—highlight the perilous outcome of decisions, even those made with seemingly good intentions, if they spring from a spirit of fear or doubt rather than unwavering faith in God's provision and command. This verse, in Moses' retrospective account, sets the stage for demonstrating that true wisdom involves not just prudent human planning, but ultimate reliance on the Lord. It teaches that even good leadership can be vulnerable when confronting deeply entrenched communal unbelief, making clear the importance of steadfast faith.