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]