<P> The Twelve Spies (Hebrew: שנים עשר המרגלים), as recorded in the Book of Numbers, were a group of Israelite chieftains, one from each of the Twelve Tribes, who were dispatched by Moses to scout out the Land of Canaan for 40 days as a future home for the Israelite people, during the time when the Israelites were in the wilderness following their Exodus from Ancient Egypt . The account is found in Numbers 13: 1 - 33 . </P> <P> God had promised Abraham that there would be a Promised Land for the nations to come out of his son, Isaac . The land of Canaan which the spies were to explore was the same Promised Land . Moses asked for an assessment of the geographical features of the land, the strength and numbers of the population, the agricultural potential and actual performance of the land, civic organization (whether their cities were like camps or strongholds), and forestry conditions . He also asked them to be positive in their outlook and to return with samples of local produce . </P>

Where is the story of joshua and caleb in the bible