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In the Book of Numbers, there are two parallel stories of the spies who entered the land of the Canaanites, each representing a different tradition. The dilemma is slightly different in each case.

In one account, by the Yahwist author, Moses dispatched the spies, who travelled only as far north as Hebron (in the future kingdom of Judah). They issued their report to one person (Moses), stating that the land was 'flowing with milk and honey', but that the inhabitants were giants and and their cities fortified (Numbers 13:27-29). Only Caleb tried to encourage the Israelites to proceed with the conquest, to which the spies countered that the land was unconquerable.

In the second account, by the Priestly author, Moses appointed twelve heads of tribes to scout the land, and they toured the entire Promised Land, 'from the Wilderness of Zin to the entrance to Hamath'. The spies returned and displayed the land's fruit. They issued their report to Moses and Aaron, and to all the congregation, stating that Canaan was not only unconquerable, but a 'land that devours its inhabitants' (Numbers 13:32-33). Caleb and Joshua both tried to encourage the Israelites to proceed with the conquest.

The dilemma in the first account is that the land is very desirable, but unconquerable. In the second account, the land is is not only unconquerable but also devours its inhabitants, although it is desirable for its fruit.

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