Bible Dictionary

Spy

A person sent secretly to observe, investigate, or gather information about a place, people, or situation.

Quick Reference

Total Entries

368

Entry Position

320 of 368

Letter

S

Meaning

A person sent secretly to observe, investigate, or gather information about a place, people, or situation.

Key Scriptures

  • Numbers 13:1-33
  • Numbers 14:6-9
  • Deuteronomy 1:22-24
  • Joshua 2:1-24
  • Joshua 6:22-23
  • Judges 18:2-10
  • 1 Samuel 26:4
  • 2 Samuel 10:3
  • 1 Kings 10:15
  • 2 Kings 5:2
  • 2 Kings 6:9
  • 2 Kings 9:17-18

Also Called

spies

Original Language

Hebrew

תּוּר

tur

to spy out; explore; search

Greek

κατάσκοπος

kataskopos

spy; observer

Meaning

A spy is a person sent secretly to observe, investigate, or gather information about a place, people, or situation.


Biblical Usage

In Scripture, a spy is a person sent to secretly observe or investigate a land, city, army, or people and report what was discovered.

The Bible records spies being sent to examine the land of Canaan, as well as other instances involving military or political intelligence.


Key References

  • Numbers 13:1-33
  • Numbers 14:6-9
  • Deuteronomy 1:22-24
  • Joshua 2:1-24
  • Joshua 6:22-23
  • Judges 18:2-10
  • 1 Samuel 26:4
  • 2 Samuel 10:3
  • 2 Kings 5:2
  • 2 Kings 6:9
  • 2 Kings 9:17-18

  • Search
  • Investigate
  • Scout
  • Messenger
  • Report
  • Canaan
  • Army

Study More

Continue your Bible study by exploring related Scriptures, dictionary terms, and connected topics.

Scriptures

  • Numbers 13:1-33
  • Numbers 14:6-9
  • Deuteronomy 1:22-24
  • Joshua 2:1-24
  • Joshua 6:22-23
  • Judges 18:2-10
  • 1 Samuel 26:4
  • 2 Samuel 10:3
  • 1 Kings 10:15
  • 2 Kings 5:2
  • 2 Kings 6:9
  • 2 Kings 9:17-18

Related Terms

Study Topics