They went, and surveyed the whole land, entering at the southern border and proceeding to the northern extremity. They returned after an absence of forty days. The people of Israel were cherishing high hopes and were waiting in eager expectancy. The news of the spies' return was carried from tribe to tribe and was hailed with rejoicing. The people rushed out to meet the messengers, who had safely escaped the dangers of their perilous undertaking. The spies brought specimens of the fruit, showing the fertility of the soil. It was in the time of ripe grapes, and they brought a cluster of grapes so large that it was carried between two men. They also brought of the figs and pomegranates which grew there in abundance.

Mændene drog af sted og undersøgte hele landet. De overskred landets sydgrænse og drog helt op til det nordligste punkt. Fyrre dage efter kom de tilbage til lejren. Israels folk nærede store forventninger og ventede spændt. Meddelelsen om spejdernes tilbagekomst blev givet videre fra stamme til stamme og blev hilst med stor glæde. Folket strømmede ud for at møde spejderne, der var kommet velbeholdent tilbage fra den farefulde ekspedition. Spejderne havde frugter med sig tilbage. Disse var et vidnesbyrd om jordens frugtbarhed. Vindruerne var modne på den tid, og mændene havde en drueklase med, der var så stor, at der måtte to mænd til at bære den. De havde også figner og granatæbler med. Disse frugter fandtes i overflod i landet.