The first thing I want to do, is look at the names of all the twelve that were called to this mission of spying out the land, because I think that their names may reveal something about their mindset, and why it was that the majority only saw things that were too great to overcome.

Num 13:4  And these [were] their names: of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur.

Reuben = “behold a son”

1) the eldest son of Jacob by Leah

Shammua = “renowned”

1) son of Zaccur and the spy from the tribe of Reuben

Zaccur or Zacchur = “mindful”

1) father of Shammua, the Reubenite spy

Num 13:5  Of the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat the son of Hori.

Simeon or Shimeon = “heard”

1) the 2nd son of Jacob by his wife Leah and progenitor of the tribe of Simeon

Shaphat = “judged” or “he hath judged”

1) son of Hori and the prince of Simeon chosen to spy out the promised land

Hori = “cave dweller”

1) a Simeonite, father of Shaphat

Num 13:6  Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.

Judah = “praised”

1) the son of Jacob by Leah

2) the tribe descended from Judah the son of Jacob

Caleb = “dog”

1) the godly son of Jephunneh and the faithful spy who reported the Promised Land favourably and urged its capture

Jephunneh = “He will be facing”

1) a Kenezite and father of Caleb the spy from the tribe of Judah

Num 13:7  Of the tribe of Issachar, Igal the son of Joseph.

Issachar = “there is recompense”

1) the 9th son of Jacob and the 5th by Leah his first wife and the progenitor of a tribe by his name

 Igal or Igeal = “He redeems”

1) son of Joseph and a spy from the tribe of Issachar

Joseph = “Jehovah has added”

1) the eldest son of Jacob by Rachel

2) father of Igal, who represented the tribe of Issachar among the spies

Num 13:8  Of the tribe of Ephraim, Oshea the son of Nun.

Ephraim = “double ash-heap: I shall be doubly fruitful”

1) second son of Joseph, blessed by him and given preference over first son, Manasseh

Hosea or Hoshea or Oshea = “salvation”

1) family name of Joshua, the son of Nun

 Nun = “fish” or “posterity”

1) father of Joshua the successor of Moses

Joshua or Jehoshua = “Jehovah is salvation”

1) son of Nun of the tribe of Ephraim and successor to Moses as the leader of the children of Israel; led the conquest of Canaan

Num 13:9  Of the tribe of Benjamin, Palti the son of Raphu.

Benjamin = “son of the right hand”

1) Jacob’s and Rachel’s youngest son, Joseph’s full brother

Palti or Phalti = “my deliverance”

1) son of Raphu, the spy chosen from the tribe of Benjamin

Raphu = “healed”

1) father of Palti, the spy from the tribe of Benjamin

Num 13:10  Of the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi.

Zebulun = “exalted”

1) the 10th of the sons of Jacob, 6th and last of Leah; progenitor of Zebulun

Gaddiel = “God is my fortune”

1) the spy from the tribe of Zebulun sent by Moses to spy out the land of Canaan

Sodi = “acquaintance”

1) father of Gaddiel, the spy selected from the tribe of Zebulun