King James Bible
"And ye came near unto me every one of you, and said, We will send men before us, and they shall search us out the land, and bring us word again by what way we must go up, and into what cities we shall come."
Moses recalls how the entire assembly approached him with a unified request, emphasizing their collective initiative rather than divine command. This detail highlights that the spy mission originated from the people's desire, not God's initial instruction. The people propose a reconnaissance mission to scout Canaan before entering, revealing their practical but faith-lacking approach. Their language suggests they view conquest as dependent on human strategy rather than trusting God's promise and guidance. They seek specific intelligence about routes and urban targets, demonstrating military prudence typical of ancient warfare. This request for tactical information contrasts with the faith-based conquest God intended, where He would direct their paths.