We have here a short account of the survey which the spies made of the
promised land. 1. They went quite through it, from Zin in the south, to
Rehob, near Hamath, in the north, v. 21. See ch. xxxiv. 3, 8. It is
probable that they did not go altogether in a body, lest they should be
suspected and taken up, which there would be the more danger of if the
Canaanites knew (and one would think they could not but know) how near
the Israelites were to them; but they divided themselves into several
companies, and so passed unsuspected, as way-faring men. 2. They took
particular notice of Hebron (v. 22), probably because near there was
the field of Machpelah, where the patriarchs were buried (Gen. xxiii.
2), whose dead bodies did, as it were, keep possession of that land for
their posterity. To this sepulchre they made a particular visit, and
found the adjoining city in the possession of the sons of Anak, who are
here named. In that place where they expected the greatest
encouragements they met with the greatest discouragements. Where the
bodies of their ancestors kept possession for them the giants kept
possession against them. They ascended by the south, and came to
Hebron, that is, "Caleb," say the Jews, "in particular," for to his
being there we find express reference, Josh. xiv. 9, 12, 13. But that
others of the spies were there too appears by their description of the
Anakim, v. 33. 3. They brought a bunch of grapes with them, and some
other of the fruits of the land, as a proof of the extraordinary
goodness of the country. Probably they furnished themselves with these
fruits when they were leaving the country and returning. The cluster of
grapes was so large and so heavy that they hung it upon a bar, and
carried it between two of them, v. 23, 24. The place whence they took
it was, from this circumstance, called the valley of the cluster, that
famous cluster which was to Israel both the earnest and the specimen of
all the fruits of Canaan. Such are the present comforts which we have
in communion with God, foretastes of the fulness of joy we expect in
the heavenly Canaan. We may see by them what heaven is.