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Numbers 14:36 - Spies' slander brings divine wrath

Numbers 14:36 - במדבר 14:36

Hebrew Text

וְהָאֲנָשִׁים אֲשֶׁר־שָׁלַח מֹשֶׁה לָתוּר אֶת־הָאָרֶץ וַיָּשֻׁבוּ וילונו [וַיַּלִּינוּ] עָלָיו אֶת־כָּל־הָעֵדָה לְהוֹצִיא דִבָּה עַל־הָאָרֶץ׃

English Translation

And the men, whom Moshe sent to spy out the land, who returned, and made all the congregation murmur against him, by bringing up a slander upon the land;

Transliteration

Veha'anashim asher-shalach Moshe latur et-ha'aretz vayashuvu vayalinu [vayalinu] alav et-kol-ha'edah lehotzi dibah al-ha'aretz.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהָ֣אֲנָשִׁ֔ים אֲשֶׁר־שָׁלַ֥ח מֹשֶׁ֖ה לָת֣וּר אֶת־הָאָ֑רֶץ וַיָּשֻׁ֗בוּ <span class="mam-kq"><span class="mam-kq-k">(וילונו)</span> <span class="mam-kq-q">[וַיַּלִּ֤ינוּ]</span></span> עָלָיו֙ אֶת־כׇּל־הָ֣עֵדָ֔ה לְהוֹצִ֥יא דִבָּ֖ה עַל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃
וְהָ֣אֲנָשִׁ֔ים אֲשֶׁר־שָׁלַ֥ח מֹשֶׁ֖ה לָת֣וּר אֶת־הָאָ֑רֶץ וַיָּשֻׁ֗בוּ (וילונו) [וַיַּלִּ֤ינוּ] עָלָיו֙ אֶת־כׇּל־הָ֣עֵדָ֔ה לְהוֹצִ֥יא דִבָּ֖ה עַל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Sin of the Spies

The verse describes the grave sin of the meraglim (spies) who, upon returning from their mission to scout the Land of Israel, slandered the land and caused the entire congregation to murmur against Moshe. Rashi (Bamidbar 13:26) explains that their sin was not merely in reporting the challenges of conquering the land but in actively spreading a false and demoralizing report (dibah), undermining the people's faith in Hashem's promise.

The Nature of Their Slander

The term dibah (דִּבָּה) implies a malicious and exaggerated report. Ramban (Bamidbar 13:32) elaborates that the spies distorted the truth by emphasizing the land's dangers while minimizing its blessings, contrary to what Moshe had instructed them to observe (Bamidbar 13:18-20). The Midrash (Tanchuma, Shelach 7) compares their slander to the venom of a snake, as it poisoned the hearts of Bnei Yisrael against Eretz Yisrael.

Consequences of Their Actions

  • Loss of Faith: The spies' report caused the people to weep unnecessarily on Tisha B'Av (Taanit 29a), leading to the decree that this generation would not enter the land.
  • Collective Punishment: The entire nation was punished because the spies incited rebellion not just against Moshe but against Hashem Himself (Sifrei, Shelach 115).
  • Historical Tragedy: The sin of the spies became a prototype of baseless hatred (sinat chinam), which the Talmud (Yoma 9b) identifies as the root cause of the destruction of the Second Temple.

Lessons for Future Generations

The Maharal (Gur Aryeh, Bamidbar 13:26) teaches that the spies' failure stemmed from their lack of bitachon (trust in Hashem). Instead of focusing on the land's spiritual greatness, they fixated on physical obstacles. This serves as a timeless lesson: when Jews doubt their divine mission, they risk repeating the tragic mistake of the spies.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 35a
The verse is discussed in the context of the spies' negative report about the land of Israel and its consequences.
📖 Sanhedrin 104b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the sin of the spies and its impact on the Israelites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does it mean that the spies 'brought up a slander upon the land'?
A: The spies spoke negatively about the Land of Israel, exaggerating its dangers and discouraging the people from entering. According to Rashi, their slander (דִבָּה) was an evil report that made the land appear undesirable, despite its true goodness (Numbers 13:32). This was a grave sin because it showed a lack of faith in Hashem's promise.
Q: Why did Moshe send spies to the Land of Israel?
A: Moshe sent the spies at the request of the people (Deuteronomy 1:22). While Hashem had already promised them the land, the people wanted to assess its conditions. Ramban explains that the mission itself was not wrong, but the spies' negative attitude and lack of faith in Hashem's promise led to disaster.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the sin of the spies?
A: The sin of the spies teaches the importance of trusting in Hashem and speaking positively about the Land of Israel. The Talmud (Sotah 34b) highlights how their negative report caused the people to weep unnecessarily, leading to the decree of wandering in the desert for 40 years. Today, we learn to avoid lashon hara (evil speech) and to have faith in divine promises.
Q: How did the spies' report affect the Israelites?
A: Their report caused the entire nation to panic and rebel against Moshe and Hashem (Numbers 14:1-4). The Midrash (Tanchuma, Shelach 7) explains that their fear was so great that they even considered returning to Egypt. This lack of faith resulted in severe consequences, including the punishment of dying in the wilderness.
Q: Why is the Land of Israel so important in this story?
A: The Land of Israel is central to the covenant between Hashem and the Jewish people. The spies' failure to appreciate its holiness and their slander against it showed ingratitude and disbelief. Rashi (on Numbers 13:2) notes that the land was chosen by Hashem, and rejecting it was akin to rejecting His divine plan for the nation.