And the men, which Moses sent to search the land, who returned, and made all the congregation to murmur against him, by bringing up a slander upon the land,
The men ... died by the plague before the Lord. Ten of the spies were struck dead on the spot, either by the pestilence or some other judgment-the great and appalling mortality occasioned by which clearly betokened the hand of the Lord (cf. Psalms 90:1-17, which was composed on the occurrence of those sad events.) The fatal decree that doomed the whole existing generation of Israelites that had come out of Egypt to perish was a severe but a necessary measure; and though it was, in the first instance, a punishment for their unbelief and rebellion, it proved ultimately a great national blessing. They had exhibited frequent and unmistakeable proofs that they were not possessed of a spirit for occupying the promised land as the servants of the true God, confiding in His vigilant providence, and devoted to His service. It was necessary that another generation should arise, inured to hardihood, uncorrupted by the influence of Egyptian manners and religion, and impressed by the marvelous displays of the divine presence and power, with a realizing sense of the Being of God, and of His exclusive claims to their homage. These ends were all attained by the race that were reared under the educational discipline of the wilderness.