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Significant of the wickedness of these men are their names, all of which point to their
godless action. The representative of the tribe of Reuben was called Shammua, the son of
Zaccur, because he did not obey God, which was counted against him just as if he had
pursued sorcery. Shaphat, the son of Hori, was Simeon's representative. His name
signifies, "He did not conquer his evil inclination, and hence went out empty-handed,
without having received a possession in the land of Israel." The tribe of Issachar
was represented by Igal, the son of Joseph. He bore this name because he soiled the
reputation of the Holy Land, and therefore died before his time. Benjamin's representative
was Palti, the son of Raphu, so called because "he spat out the good qualities that
had previously been his, and therefore wasted away." The name of Gaddiel, the son of
Sodi, Zebulun's representative, signifies, "He spoke infamous things against God in
executing the secret plan of the spies." Manasseh's representative, Gaddi, the son of
Susi, was so called because he blasphemed God and aroused His wrath; for it was he who
said of the land, "it eateth up its inhabitants." But the worst one among them
was Ammiel, the son of Gemalli, the representative of Dan, for it was he who said,
"The land is so strong that not even God could go up against it," hence his
name, which means, "He cast a shadow upon God's strength," and he was punished
according to his wicked words, for he did not enter the promised land. Asher's
representative was Sethur, the son of Michael, who had resolved to act against God and
instead of saying, "Who is like unto God?" he said, "Who is God?"
Naphtali's representative was named Nahbi, the son of Vophsi, for he suppressed the truth,
and faith found no room in his mouth, for he brought forth lies against God. The last of
these spies, Gad's representative, bore the name Geuel, the son of Machi, for he was
humbled because he urged untruths against God.
As the ten sinners were name in accordance with their actions, so too did the names of the
two pious spies among them correspond to their pious actions. Judah's representative was
name Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, because "he spoke what he felt in his heart and
turned aside from the advice of the rest of the spies." The pious representative of
Ephraim was Hoshea, the son of Nun, a fitting name for him, for he was full of
understanding and was not caught like a fish by the spies. Moses who perceived, even when
he sent out the spies, the evil intentions they harbored, changed Hoshea's name to Joshua,
saying: "May God stand by thee, that thou mayest not follow the counsel of the
spies." 505
This change of name that was brought about by the prefixing of the letter Yod at last
silenced the lamentations of this letter. For ever since God had changed Sarai's name to
Sarah, the letter Yod used to fit about the celestial Throne and lament: "Is it
perchance because I am the smallest among the letters that Thou has taken me away from the
name of the pious Sarah?" God quieted this letter, saying: "Formerly thou wert
in a woman's name, and, moreover, at the end. I will not affix thee to a man's name, and,
moreover, at the beginning." This promise was redeemed when Hoshea's name was changed
to Joshua. 506
When the spies set out on their way, they received instructions from Moses how to conduct
themselves, and what in particular, they were to note. He ordered them not to walk on the
highways, but to go along private pathways, for although the Shekinah would follow them,
they were still to incur no needless danger. If they entered a city, however, they were
not to slink like thieves in alleyways, but to show themselves in public and answer those
who asked what they wanted by saying: "We came only to buy some pomegranates and
grapes." They were emphatically to deny that they had any intention of destroying the
idols or of felling the sacred trees. Moses furthermore said: "Look about carefully
what manner of land it is, for some lands produce strong people and some weak, some lands
produce many people and some few. If you find the inhabitants dwelling in open places,
then know that they are mighty warriors, and depending upon their strength have no fear of
hostile attack. If, however, they live in a fortified place, they are weaklings, and in
their fear of strangers seek shelter within their walls. Examine also the nature of the
soil. If it be hard, know then that it it fat; but if it be soft, it is lean." 507
Finally he bade them inquire whether Job was still alive, for if he was dead, then they
assuredly needed not to fear the Canaanites, as there was not a single pious man among
them whose merits might be able to shield them. 508 And truly when the spies reached
Palestine, Job died, and they found the inhabitants of the land at his grave, partaking of
the funeral feast. 509
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