Is the soil fertile or unproductive? Are there trees in it or not? Be courageous, and bring back some of the fruit of the land." (It was the season for the first ripe grapes.) Is the soil fertile or unproductive?The Hebrew word for "fertile" is "שְׁמֵנָה" (shemenah), which can also mean "fat" or "rich." This word conveys abundance and prosperity, suggesting a land that can sustain life and provide for its inhabitants. In contrast, "unproductive" is derived from "רָזָה" (razah), meaning "lean" or "poor." The question posed here is not merely about agriculture but about the potential for God's promise to be fulfilled in a land flowing with milk and honey. The fertility of the soil is symbolic of God's provision and blessing, a theme that resonates throughout the Scriptures as a sign of His covenant faithfulness. Are there trees in it or not?
Trees in the ancient Near East were not only a source of food and shelter but also a symbol of life and stability. The presence of trees would indicate a well-watered and fertile land, capable of sustaining a community. Biblically, trees often represent life, growth, and prosperity, as seen in Psalm 1:3, where the righteous are likened to a tree planted by streams of water. The inquiry about trees is a practical assessment of the land's resources and a spiritual metaphor for the potential flourishing of God's people in the Promised Land. Be courageous
The Hebrew word "חָזַק" (chazaq) means "to be strong" or "to be courageous." This command is a call to faith and trust in God's promises despite the challenges that may lie ahead. Courage, in this context, is not merely a human attribute but a divine empowerment to face the unknown with confidence in God's faithfulness. This exhortation echoes throughout Scripture, reminding believers that courage is rooted in the assurance of God's presence and power, as seen in Joshua 1:9. and bring back some of the fruit of the land
The act of bringing back fruit serves as tangible evidence of the land's potential and God's promise. The Hebrew word for "fruit" is "פְּרִי" (peri), which signifies not only physical produce but also the results of one's labor and God's blessing. This request is an invitation to witness firsthand the goodness of the land God has promised, reinforcing the hope and expectation of His people. The fruit is a foretaste of the abundance that awaits them, a reminder of God's provision and faithfulness. (It was the season for the first ripe grapes.)
The mention of the "first ripe grapes" situates the narrative in a specific time of the agricultural calendar, likely around late July to early August. This detail underscores the reality and immediacy of God's promise. The firstfruits are often associated with offerings to God, symbolizing gratitude and trust in His continued provision. In this context, the ripe grapes are a sign of the land's fertility and a prophetic glimpse of the blessings that await the Israelites in the Promised Land. This season of firstfruits is a reminder of God's timing and the fulfillment of His promises in due season. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites who instructed the spies to explore the land of Canaan. 2. The SpiesA group of twelve men, one from each tribe of Israel, sent to scout the land of Canaan. 3. CanaanThe Promised Land that God had assured to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 4. The Season of First Ripe GrapesThis indicates the time of year, likely late summer, when the first fruits were ready for harvest, symbolizing the abundance of the land. 5. The Land's FertilityA key aspect of the spies' mission was to assess the productivity and potential of the land, which was crucial for the Israelites' future settlement. Teaching Points Courage in ObedienceThe spies were instructed to be courageous. In our lives, God often calls us to step out in faith, trusting in His promises despite uncertainties. Assessing Spiritual FruitfulnessJust as the spies assessed the land's productivity, we are called to examine our lives for spiritual fruit, ensuring we are living in alignment with God's will. Trust in God's ProvisionThe land's fertility was a testament to God's provision. We should trust that God will provide for our needs as we follow His guidance. The Importance of PerspectiveThe spies' report was influenced by their perspective. We must choose to see our circumstances through the lens of faith rather than fear. Seasonal AwarenessRecognizing the "season" we are in spiritually can help us understand God's timing and purposes in our lives. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the instruction to "be courageous" in Numbers 13:20 apply to a situation you are currently facing? 2. In what ways can you assess the "fruitfulness" of your spiritual life, and how does this relate to the spies' mission? 3. How does the promise of the land in Genesis 12:7 encourage you to trust in God's promises today? 4. What are some practical steps you can take to ensure you are viewing your circumstances through faith rather than fear? 5. How can understanding the "season" you are in spiritually help you align with God's purposes for your life? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 12:7God's promise to Abraham about giving his descendants the land of Canaan, establishing the significance of the land. Deuteronomy 1:21Moses reiterates God's command to take possession of the land, encouraging the Israelites not to fear. Joshua 1:9God's command to Joshua to be strong and courageous, echoing the encouragement given to the spies. John 15:5The metaphor of fruitfulness in the Christian life, drawing a parallel to the physical fruitfulness of the land of Canaan. People Aaron, Ahiman, Amalek, Amalekites, Ammiel, Amorites, Anak, Asher, Benjamin, Caleb, Canaanites, Dan, Eshcol, Gad, Gaddi, Gaddiel, Gemalli, Geuel, Hittites, Hori, Hoshea, Igal, Israelites, Issachar, Jebusites, Jehoshua, Jephunneh, Joseph, Joshua, Machi, Manasseh, Michael, Moses, Nahbi, Naphtali, Nun, Oshea, Palti, Raphu, Rehob, Reuben, Sethur, Shammua, Shaphat, Sheshai, Simeon, Sodi, Susi, Talmai, Vophsi, Zaccur, ZebulunPlaces Canaan, Egypt, Hebron, Kadesh-barnea, Lebo-hamath, Negeb, Paran, Rehob, Sinai, Valley of Eshcol, Wilderness of Paran, Zin, ZoanTopics Barren, Best, Bring, Courage, Effort, Fat, Fertile, First-fruits, First-ripe, Fruit, Grapes, Heart, Lean, Poor, Produce, Ready, Rich, Ripe, Season, Strengthened, Therein, Trees, Whether, Wood, YourselvesDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 13:20 4970 seasons, of year Numbers 13:1-20 5552 spies Numbers 13:17-20 4926 delay, human Numbers 13:20-25 4458 grape Library Afraid of Giants
'And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain; 18. And see the land, what it is; and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many; 19. And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds; 20. And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Spies
THE UNBELIEF OF THE CHILDREN of Israel, prompted them to send spies into Canaan. God had told them that it was a good land, and he had promised to drive out their enemies, they ought therefore to have marched forward with all confidence to possess the promised heritage. Instead of this, they send twelve princes to spy out the land, and "alas, for human nature," ten of these were faithless, and only two true to the Lord. Read over the narrative, and mark the ill effect of the lying message, and the …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858 Exploring Canaan by Faith
EXPLORING CANAAN BY FAITH I can not understand faith. What is faith, anyway? I try to believe; sometimes I feel that my faith is strong, but at other times I feel that my faith is giving way. Can you help me in this matter? Faith seems such a hazy, intangible, elusive thing; now I think I have it, now it seems certain I have it not. I feel at times that my faith is so strong I could believe anything, then again I feel that every bit of faith I had is gone. Can you give me any instructions that will …
Robert Lee Berry—Adventures in the Land of Canaan Canaan
Canaan was the inheritance which the Israelites won for themselves by the sword. Their ancestors had already settled in it in patriarchal days. Abraham "the Hebrew" from Babylonia had bought in it a burying-place near Hebron; Jacob had purchased a field near Shechem, where he could water his flocks from his own spring. It was the "Promised Land" to which the serfs of the Pharaoh in Goshen looked forward when they should again become free men and find a new home for themselves. Canaan had ever been …
Archibald Sayce—Early Israel and the Surrounding Nations Hebron
From Jericho we proceed to Hebron, far off in situation, but next to it in dignity: yea, there was a time, when it went before Jerusalem itself in name and honour;--namely, while the first foundations of the kingdom of David were laid; and, at that time, Jericho was buried in rubbish, and Jerusalem was trampled upon by the profane feet of the Jebusites. Hebron was placed, as in the mountainous country of Judea, so in a place very rocky, but yet in a very fruitful coast. "There is no place, in all …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica An Unfulfilled Desire
'... Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!'--NUM. xxiii. 10. '... Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.'--NUM. xiii. 8. Ponder these two pictures. Take the first scene. A prophet, who knows God and His will, is standing on the mountain top, and as he looks down over the valley beneath him, with its acacia-trees and swift river, there spread the tents of Israel. He sees them, and knows that they are 'a people whom the Lord hath blessed.' Brought there …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Epistle xvii. To Felix, Bishop of Messana.
To Felix, Bishop of Messana. To our most reverend brother, the Bishop Felix, Gregory, servant of the servants of God [246] . Our Head, which is Christ, to this end has willed us to be His members, that through His large charity and faithfulness He might make us one body in Himself, to whom it befits us so to cling that, since without Him we can do nothing, through Him we may be enabled to be what we are called. From the citadel of the Head let nothing divide us, lest, if we refuse to be His members, …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great Annunciation of the Birth of Jesus.
(at Nazareth, b.c. 5.) ^C Luke I. 26-38. ^c 26 Now in the sixth month [this is the passage from which we learn that John was six months older than Jesus] the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth [Luke alone tells us where Mary lived before the birth of Jesus. That Nazareth was an unimportant town is shown by the fact that it is mentioned nowhere in the Old Testament, nor in the Talmud, nor in Josephus, who mentions two hundred four towns and cities of Galilee. The …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6 Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Numbers 13:20 NIVNumbers 13:20 NLTNumbers 13:20 ESVNumbers 13:20 NASBNumbers 13:20 KJV
Numbers 13:20 Commentaries
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