The Spies Whose Names and Deeds Were Both Ugly

"These are the names of the men" (Numbers 13:16). And what were their names? Sethur ben Michael (ibid. 13), Nahbi ben Vophsi (ibid. 14), Geuel ben Machi (ibid. 15). There are people whose names are comely but whose deeds are ugly; there are those whose names are ugly but whose deeds are comely; there are those whose names and deeds are comely; and there are those whose names and deeds are ugly. Those whose names are comely but whose deeds are ugly: these are Ishmael and Esau. Ishmael means "God hears"; Esau means "he does the will of the One who made him" — yet their deeds were ugly. Those whose names are ugly but whose deeds are comely: these are the ones who came up out of exile — the children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Temah (Ezra 2:53). Those whose names are comely and whose deeds are comely: these are the tribes. Those whose names are ugly and whose deeds are ugly: these are the spies. What is written concerning them (Numbers 13:13)? "Sethur" — for they sealed off (satru) God from the world.