Lives of Scripture

Ammiel son of Gemalli represented the tribe of Dan among the twelve men Moses sent from Kadesh-barnea to scout the land of Canaan before Israel's planned entry (Numbers 13:1-16). For forty days the spies explored the land, returning with an enormous cluster of grapes along with pomegranates and figs, tangible proof of its fruitfulness (13:23-25). Yet when they reported back, ten of the twelve -- almost certainly including Ammiel, since only Caleb and Joshua are recorded standing apart from the group -- focused on what frightened them: fortified cities and people of great size, whom they called Nephilim, saying, "we became like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight" (13:31-33). Their report spread through the camp and incited the whole community to weep, rebel against Moses and Aaron, and talk of choosing a new leader to take them back to Egypt rather than trust God for the land He had promised (14:1-4). The LORD's judgment fell on that entire unbelieving generation: none but Caleb and Joshua would live to enter Canaan, and Israel would wander the wilderness for forty years, a year for each day the spies had scouted the land (14:26-35). The ten spies who had spread the fearful report, presumably including Ammiel, died immediately by a plague before the LORD (14:36-37) -- Scripture's own verdict on unbelief that refuses a promise already spoken.