במדבר, פרק י״ג, פסוק י״ח

The scouting mission initiated by Moses is far more than a routine gathering of military intelligence. It demands a profound investigation into the relationship between the natural environment, the climate, and human society. The primary approach among commentators is that this expedition serves as tactical preparation. By assessing the terrain, the Israelites can forge appropriate weapons, map out access routes, and strategize for the upcoming conquest [רשב״ם, ביאור יש״ר]. Conversely, another perspective suggests the mission is entirely educational and historical rather than military. Its purpose is to show future generations how a physically formidable Canaanite nation was eradicated for violating the moral laws of God, thereby proving that inheriting the land relies on Divine providence rather than natural might [רש״ר הירש, שפתי כהן].

Moses directs the scouts to evaluate the land on two distinct levels. The first is topographical, determining whether the terrain is mountainous, flat, forested, or clear [רשב״ם, רלב״ג, רש״ר הירש]. The second level focuses on climate and health. The consensus is that Moses wants to know if the air is pure or stagnant and if the water is clean, as the natural environment directly impacts its inhabitants. Certain lands breed strong, populous societies, while others yield weak and sparse populations [ספורנו, אור החיים, אבן עזרא, גור אריה, משכיל לדוד, אם למקרא].

To uncover the hidden qualities of the land, Moses instructs the scouts to look at the people living there. The strength and population size of the inhabitants serve as living testimony to the quality of the region's climate and sustenance [ספורנו, אור החיים, מלבי״ם]. However, an alternative view proposes an inverse relationship. If the people are weak yet the land yields abundant produce, it proves the soil is naturally fertile and easy to cultivate. If the people are exceptionally strong, the rich harvest might merely be the result of their strenuous physical labor rather than the land's inherent agricultural quality [שפתי כהן].

When assessing whether the nation is strong or weak, most commentators interpret this as a measure of physical resilience and bodily proportions [ביאור יש״ר]. Others view it as a psychological assessment, questioning whether the nation is courageous and confident or terrified and disheartened [העמק דבר, הכתב והקבלה]. It is also seen as a moral examination testing the integrity of their justice system [שפתי כהן].

To gauge this strength, Moses provides a clear indicator based on how the people live. Inhabitants residing in open, unwalled towns show self-confidence, relying on their own might. In contrast, those hiding within fortified cities reveal underlying weakness and fear [רש״י, ספורנו]. This creates a later complication, as the scouts eventually report fortified cities but still describe a fierce enemy, causing the Israelites to panic rather than rejoice at a sign of weakness. To resolve this, it is explained that the scouts encountered actual giants whose inherent physical dominance simply overrode the general rule of unwalled cities [כלי יקר]. Alternatively, the Canaanite fortresses were not built out of fear at all, but rather for aesthetics, glory, or the protection of wealth, meaning their walls were never an indication of vulnerability [שפתי חכמים, גור אריה].

Finally, Moses questions the demographic density, asking whether the people are few or many. Throughout his instructions, Moses consistently presents the positive scenario before the negative, such as strong before weak, or good before bad. His decision to place "few" before "many" is explained by the fact that from a military standpoint, encountering a smaller enemy force is highly advantageous for the Israelites, making "few" the positive outcome. Another explanation is that this question does not merely count the population but evaluates the rarity of their warriors, asking whether such immense physical power is a scarce phenomenon or widespread [אור החיים].