Why the Spies Named Amalek First to Frighten Israel

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Sh'lach 18:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

(Numbers 13:29:) "AMALEK DWELLS <in the land of the Negev>." What did they see fit to begin with Amalek? A parable: to what is the matter comparable? To a child who misbehaved and was beaten with a strap. When they wish to frighten him, they remind him of the strap. So too was Amalek an evil strap for Israel. And what did he see fit to seat himself upon the road? Because Esau, his grandfather, had so commanded him, to confront them on the road. So he uprooted himself from his place and seated himself on the road. (Numbers 14:45:) "And the Amalekite and the Canaanite who dwelt in that mountain came down." [(Numbers 13:29, continued:) "And the Hittite and the Jebusite and the Amorite dwell in the mountain,"] "and the Canaanite dwells by the sea and along the Jordan" (ibid.). These are the mighty ones who dwell on the road. Therefore the spies intended to break the heart of Israel, as it is said (Numbers 32:9): "And they turned away the heart of the children of Israel."

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