Numbers 13:22
New International Version
They went up through the Negev and came to Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, lived. (Hebron had been built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)

New Living Translation
Going north, they passed through the Negev and arrived at Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai—all descendants of Anak—lived. (The ancient town of Hebron was founded seven years before the Egyptian city of Zoan.)

English Standard Version
They went up into the Negeb and came to Hebron. Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, were there. (Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)

Berean Standard Bible
They went up through the Negev and came to Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, dwelled. It had been built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.

King James Bible
And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)

New King James Version
And they went up through the South and came to Hebron; Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, were there. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)

New American Standard Bible
When they had gone up into the Negev, they came to Hebron where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the descendants of Anak were. (Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)

NASB 1995
When they had gone up into the Negev, they came to Hebron where Ahiman, Sheshai and Talmai, the descendants of Anak were. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)

NASB 1977
When they had gone up into the Negev, they came to Hebron where Ahiman, Sheshai and Talmai, the descendants of Anak were. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)

Legacy Standard Bible
And they had gone up into the Negev and came to Hebron where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the descendants of Anak were. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)

Amplified Bible
When they had gone up into the Negev (the South country), they came to Hebron; and Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai the descendants of Anak were there. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)

Christian Standard Bible
They went up through the Negev and came to Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, were living. Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They went up through the Negev and came to Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, were living. Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.

American Standard Version
And they went up by the South, and came unto Hebron; and Ahaiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were there. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)

Contemporary English Version
As they went through the Southern Desert, they came to the town of Hebron, which was seven years older than the Egyptian town of Zoan. In Hebron, they saw the three Anakim clans of Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai.

English Revised Version
And they went up by the South, and came unto Hebron; and Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were there. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They went through the Negev and came to Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai lived. They are descendants of Anak. (Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)

Good News Translation
They went first into the southern part of the land and came to Hebron, where the clans of Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the descendants of a race of giants called the Anakim, lived. (Hebron was founded seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)

International Standard Version
They went through the Negev and reached Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the descendants of Anak lived. (Hebron had been constructed seven years before Zoan in Egypt had been built).

Majority Standard Bible
They went up through the Negev and came to Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, dwelled. It had been built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.

NET Bible
When they went up through the Negev, they came to Hebron where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, descendants of Anak, were living. (Now Hebron had been built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)

New Heart English Bible
They went up by the Negev, and came to Hebron; and Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, were there. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)

Webster's Bible Translation
And they ascended by the south, and came to Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)

World English Bible
They went up by the South, and came to Hebron; and Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were there. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and they go up by the south, and come to Hebron, and there [are] Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, children of Anak (and Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt),

Young's Literal Translation
and they go up by the south, and come in unto Hebron, and there are Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, children of Anak (and Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt),

Smith's Literal Translation
And they will go up by the south and will come to Hebron; and these Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, children of Anak: and Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they went up at the south side, and came to Hebron, where were Achiman and Sisai and Tholmai the sons of Enac. For Hebron was built seven years before Tanis the city of Egypt.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they ascended by the south side. And they arrived at Hebron, where there were Ahiman and Shishai and Talmai, the sons of Anak. For Hebron was founded seven years before Tanis, the city of Egypt.

New American Bible
Going up by way of the Negeb, they reached Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai and Talmai, descendants of the Anakim, were. (Now Hebron had been built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)

New Revised Standard Version
They went up into the Negeb, and came to Hebron; and Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the Anakites, were there. (Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And they went up into the south, and came as far as Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Tolmai, the sons of giants were. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they came up to the south and they came unto Khebron and Akhiman; and Shishay and Tulmay, sons of the giants, were there, and Khebron was built seven years before Tsaan that is in Egypt.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And they went up into the South, and came unto Hebron; and Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were there.--Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.--

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they went up by the wilderness, and departed as far as Chebron; and there was Achiman, and Sessi, and Thelami, the progeny of Enach. Now Chebron was built seven years before Tanin of Egypt.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Spies Explore Canaan
21So they went up and spied out the land from the Wilderness of Zin as far as Rehob, toward Lebo-hamath. 22They went up through the Negev and came to Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, dwelled. It had been built seven years before Zoan in Egypt. 23When they came to the Valley of Eshcol, they cut down a branch with a single cluster of grapes, which they carried on a pole between two men. They also took some pomegranates and figs.…

Cross References
Joshua 14:15
(Hebron used to be called Kiriath-arba, after Arba, the greatest man among the Anakim.) Then the land had rest from war.

Genesis 23:2
She died in Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went out to mourn and to weep for her.

Genesis 13:18
So Abram moved his tent and went to live near the Oaks of Mamre at Hebron, where he built an altar to the LORD.

Genesis 23:19
After this, Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave of the field at Machpelah near Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan.

Genesis 35:27
Jacob returned to his father Isaac at Mamre, near Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had stayed.

Joshua 15:13-14
According to the LORD’s command to him, Joshua gave Caleb son of Jephunneh a portion among the sons of Judah—Kiriath-arba, that is, Hebron. (Arba was the forefather of Anak.) / And Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak—the descendants of Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak.

Judges 1:10
Judah also marched against the Canaanites who were living in Hebron (formerly known as Kiriath-arba), and they struck down Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai.

2 Samuel 2:11
And the length of time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

2 Samuel 5:3-5
So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, where King David made with them a covenant before the LORD. And they anointed him king over Israel. / David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. / In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.

1 Chronicles 11:4-5
Then David and all the Israelites marched to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus), where the Jebusites inhabited the land. / The people of Jebus said to David, “You will never get in here.” Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David).

1 Chronicles 29:27
The length of David’s reign over Israel was forty years—seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 11:25
As for the villages with their fields, some of the people of Judah lived in Kiriath-arba, Dibon, Jekabzeel, and their villages;

Ezekiel 16:3
and tell her that this is what the Lord GOD says to Jerusalem: Your origin and your birth were in the land of the Canaanites. Your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hittite.

Matthew 2:1
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem,

Matthew 2:6
‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of My people Israel.’”


Treasury of Scripture

And they ascended by the south, and came to Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)

Ahiman

Joshua 11:21,22
And at that time came Joshua, and cut off the Anakims from the mountains, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the mountains of Judah, and from all the mountains of Israel: Joshua destroyed them utterly with their cities…

Joshua 15:13,14
And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, even the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron…

Judges 1:10
And Judah went against the Canaanites that dwelt in Hebron: (now the name of Hebron before was Kirjatharba:) and they slew Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai.

the children

Numbers 13:33
And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.

Hebron

Genesis 13:18
Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD.

Genesis 23:2
And Sarah died in Kirjatharba; the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.

Joshua 14:13-15
And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance…

Zoan

Psalm 78:12,43
Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan…

Isaiah 19:11
Surely the princes of Zoan are fools, the counsel of the wise counsellers of Pharaoh is become brutish: how say ye unto Pharaoh, I am the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings?

Isaiah 30:4
For his princes were at Zoan, and his ambassadors came to Hanes.

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Ahiman Ahi'man Anak Ascended Building Built Children Descendants Egypt Hebron Seven Sheshai She'shai South Talmai Zoan Zo'an
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Ahiman Ahi'man Anak Ascended Building Built Children Descendants Egypt Hebron Seven Sheshai She'shai South Talmai Zoan Zo'an
Numbers 13
1. The names of the men who were sent to search the land
17. Their instructions
21. Their acts
26. Their relation














They went up through the Negev
The phrase "They went up through the Negev" refers to the journey of the Israelite spies as they explored the land of Canaan. The Negev, a semi-arid region in southern Israel, is significant in biblical history as a place of transition and testing. The Hebrew root for Negev (נֶגֶב) implies dryness or parched land, symbolizing the challenges and hardships the Israelites faced. This journey through the Negev can be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual journey of faith, where believers must traverse through difficult and barren times, trusting in God's promises.

and came to Hebron
The phrase "and came to Hebron" highlights the arrival of the spies at a city of great historical and spiritual significance. Hebron, one of the oldest cities in the world, is deeply rooted in biblical history. It is where Abraham settled and where the patriarchs are buried. The Hebrew name Hebron (חֶבְרוֹן) is derived from a root meaning "association" or "friendship," reflecting the covenantal relationship between God and His people. This visit to Hebron underscores the continuity of God's promises from the patriarchs to the present generation, reminding believers of the faithfulness of God throughout history.

where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, were living
The mention of "Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, were living" introduces the formidable inhabitants of the land. The Anakim were known as giants, and their presence in Hebron was intimidating to the spies. The Hebrew root for Anak (עֲנָק) suggests a necklace or chain, symbolizing strength and stature. This encounter with the Anakim serves as a test of faith for the Israelites, challenging them to trust in God's power over seemingly insurmountable obstacles. For believers today, it is a reminder that no challenge is too great when God is on our side.

(Hebron had been built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)
The parenthetical note "(Hebron had been built seven years before Zoan in Egypt)" provides a historical context that emphasizes the antiquity and significance of Hebron. Zoan, known as Tanis in Greek, was an ancient city in Egypt. The comparison highlights Hebron's ancient roots, reinforcing its importance in the biblical narrative. The number seven often symbolizes completeness or perfection in the Bible, suggesting that Hebron's establishment was part of God's perfect plan. This historical detail encourages believers to see God's hand in the unfolding of history, trusting that He is sovereign over time and events.

(22) And they ascended by the south, and came.--The latter verb is in the singular number in the Hebrew text: he came. It is quite possible that the twelve spies may not always have been together, and that one only may have gone to Hebron.

Animan, Sheshai, and Talmai.--Some suppose these to be the names of tribes, not of individuals. It is quite possible, however, that the same individuals may have been still alive when the city of Hebron was assigned to Caleb, about fifty years later, and when he drove out these three sons of Anak (Joshua 15:14).

The children of Anak.--Better, the children of the Anakim. (Comp. Deuteronomy 1:28; Deuteronomy 9:2.) When Anak, as an individual, is mentioned, as in Numbers 13:33, the article is omitted.

Before Zoan in Egypt.--Zoan, or Tanis, on the eastern bank of the Tanitic arm of the Nile, appears to have been the residence of Pharaoh in the days of Moses (Psalm 78:12). Hebron was in existence in the days of Abraham (Genesis 13:18; Genesis 23:2, &c.). . . .

Verse 22. - And came unto Hebron. This and the following details of their journey are appended to the general statement of verse 21 in that inartificial style of narrative still common in the East. On the name Hebron, and the perplexities which it causes, see on Genesis 13:18; 23:2. Where Amman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were. יְלִידֵי הָעֲנָק "Anak's progeny." Septuagint, γενεαὶ Ἐνάχ (as in verse 28 and Joshua 15:14 b.), means simply "descendants of Anak." The Beni-Anak (Beni-Anakim in Deuteronomy 1:28; Anakim in Deuteronomy 2:10, etc.) were a tribe whose remote and perhaps legendary ancestor was Anak son of Arba (see on Joshua 14:15). These three chiefs of the Beni-Anak are said to have been expelled from Hebron fifty years later by Caleb (Joshua 15:14; Judges 1:20). The gigantic size which the Anakim shared with the Emim and Rephaim, other remnants of the aboriginal inhabitants, may have been accompanied by remarkable longevity; or they may have been quite young at the time of this visit; or, finally, they may not have been individuals at all, but families or clans. Now Hebron was built seven years before Zean in Egypt. Hebron was in existence at the time of Abraham. Zoan was Tanis, near the mouth of the eastern branch of the Nile (see on Psalm 78:12, 43). If it be true that the Pharaoh of the exodus had his royal residence at Zoan, Moses may have had access to the archives of the city, or he may have learnt the date of its foundation from the priests who gave him his Egyptian education. That there was any real connection between the two places is extremely problematical, nor is it possible to give any reason for the abrupt insertion here of a fragment of history so minute and in itself so unimportant. There is, however, no one but Moses to whom the statement can with any sort of likelihood be traced; a later writer could have had no authority for making the statement, and no possible reason for inventing it.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
They went up
וַיַּעֲל֣וּ (way·ya·‘ă·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

through the Negev
בַנֶּגֶב֮ (ḇan·ne·ḡeḇ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5045: South country, the Negeb, south

and came
וַיָּבֹ֣א (way·yā·ḇō)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

Hebron,
חֶבְרוֹן֒ (ḥeḇ·rō·wn)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 2275: Hebron -- 'association, league', a city in southern Judah

where
וְשָׁ֤ם (wə·šām)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

Ahiman,
אֲחִימַן֙ (’ă·ḥî·man)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 289: Ahiman -- a Levite, also a son of Anak

Sheshai,
שֵׁשַׁ֣י (šê·šay)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8344: Sheshai -- a son of Anak

and Talmai,
וְתַלְמַ֔י (wə·ṯal·may)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper
Strong's 8526: Talmai -- 'plowman', a father-in-law of David, also a descendant of Anak

the descendants
יְלִידֵ֖י (yə·lî·ḏê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3211: Born

of Anak,
הָעֲנָ֑ק (hā·‘ă·nāq)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6061: Anak -- 'neck', a Canaanite

dwelled.
וְחֶבְר֗וֹן (wə·ḥeḇ·rō·wn)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 2275: Hebron -- 'association, league', a city in southern Judah

It had been built
נִבְנְתָ֔ה (niḇ·nə·ṯāh)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1129: To build

seven
שֶׁ֤בַע (še·ḇa‘)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 7651: Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number

years
שָׁנִים֙ (šā·nîm)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 8141: A year

before
לִפְנֵ֖י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

Zoan
צֹ֥עַן (ṣō·‘an)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6814: Zoan -- a place in Egypt

in Egypt.
מִצְרָֽיִם׃ (miṣ·rā·yim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa


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OT Law: Numbers 13:22 They went up by the South (Nu Num.)
Numbers 13:21
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