ra.gal denotes covert investigation, especially sending people to examine a land or city, and once describes harmful use of the tongue.

The attested use predominantly concerns people sent to examine a land, city, or enemy situation, whether as those commissioned for the task or as persons identified as spies. A rare use places the action with the tongue in a warning about harm and reproach toward a neighbor.

1. Covert examination of a place or situation · dominant

   The Piel forms describe men sent to investigate territory or a city: in Joshua 2:1 the APB renders Joshua's commission to two men as "to spy out the land and Jericho silently," and in Numbers 21:32 Moses sends men to examine Jazer before its villages are captured. The same activity can identify the men themselves: in Genesis 42:9 they are accused of coming "to see the nakedness of the land," while 1 Samuel 26:4 reports that David sent spies to learn of Saul's arrival.

   Joshua 2:1Numbers 21:32Genesis 42:9Genesis 42:111 Samuel 26:4Joshua 7:2
2. Using the tongue against a neighbor · rare

   In Psalm 15:3, the Qal perfect is placed with "his tongue" and alongside not harming a neighbor or lifting reproach; the APB renders the clause "He does not use his tongue to spy." The verse presents this occurrence in a speech-related setting rather than a mission to examine a location.

   Psalm 15:3

In the Anselm Project Bible: Across the reconnaissance passages, the APB commonly uses "spy out," "spied out," and "spies" for the clauses containing the term. In Psalm 15:3 it renders the speech-related clause "use his tongue to spy"; These renderings show the verse-level presentation rather than a fixed English equivalent.