But the men who had gone up with him replied, "We cannot go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are!" But the men who had gone up with him repliedThis phrase introduces the response of the other spies who accompanied Caleb and Joshua. The Hebrew word for "men" here is "אֲנָשִׁים" (anashim), which often denotes not just males, but individuals of significance or representatives. These men were leaders from each tribe, chosen for their status and influence. Their reply is pivotal, as it reflects a collective mindset that contrasts with Caleb's faith-filled perspective. Historically, this moment is crucial as it sets the stage for Israel's reaction to the Promised Land and reveals the tension between faith and fear. We cannot go up against the people
The phrase "We cannot go up" is a direct expression of doubt and fear. The Hebrew root "יָכֹל" (yakol) means "to be able" or "to have power." Their declaration of inability is not just a physical assessment but a spiritual one, indicating a lack of trust in God's promise. This reflects a broader theme in Scripture where human limitations are contrasted with divine possibilities. The spies' focus on their own strength rather than God's power is a cautionary tale about the dangers of relying on human perspective over divine assurance. for they are stronger than we are!
The assertion "they are stronger" uses the Hebrew word "חָזַק" (chazaq), meaning "strong" or "mighty." This word is often used in the Old Testament to describe God's strength or the might of armies. Here, it underscores the spies' perception of the Canaanites as formidable adversaries. Historically, the Canaanites were indeed known for their fortified cities and warrior culture, but the spies' fear magnifies these attributes beyond reality. This phrase encapsulates the core of their unbelief: a focus on the visible and tangible rather than the invisible and spiritual. It serves as a reminder of the importance of faith in God's promises, even when circumstances seem daunting. Persons / Places / Events 1. The SpiesTwelve men, one from each tribe of Israel, were sent by Moses to scout the land of Canaan. They were tasked with assessing the land and its inhabitants. 2. CalebOne of the twelve spies, Caleb was from the tribe of Judah. He was one of the two spies who believed that Israel could conquer the land with God's help. 3. The People of CanaanThe inhabitants of the land that God promised to the Israelites. They were perceived as strong and formidable by the majority of the spies. 4. The IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who were on the brink of entering the Promised Land after their exodus from Egypt. 5. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, who sent the spies into Canaan to bring back a report on the land and its people. Teaching Points Faith vs. FearThe report of the ten spies highlights the struggle between faith in God's promises and fear of earthly challenges. Believers are called to trust in God's power rather than be overwhelmed by obstacles. The Power of InfluenceThe negative report of the ten spies influenced the entire community, leading to widespread fear and rebellion. This teaches the importance of surrounding ourselves with faith-filled individuals and being mindful of the influence we have on others. God's Promises Require ActionWhile God promised the land to the Israelites, they were required to take action in faith. Similarly, believers must act on God's promises, trusting in His strength rather than their own. Consequences of UnbeliefThe Israelites' lack of faith led to a prolonged journey in the wilderness. This serves as a warning about the spiritual consequences of unbelief and disobedience. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the fear expressed by the ten spies in Numbers 13:31 compare to the faith shown by Caleb and Joshua? What can we learn from their differing perspectives? 2. In what ways can fear of earthly challenges hinder our spiritual journey today? How can we overcome these fears with faith? 3. Reflect on a time when you faced a daunting situation. How did your faith or lack thereof influence the outcome? 4. How can we ensure that we are a positive influence on others in our faith community, especially when facing challenges? 5. What are some promises of God that you need to act upon in faith, despite the obstacles you see? How can you take practical steps to move forward in trust? Connections to Other Scriptures Joshua 14:6-9This passage recounts Caleb's faithfulness and his reward for trusting in God's promise, contrasting with the fear expressed in Numbers 13:31. Deuteronomy 1:28Reflects on the Israelites' fear and lack of faith, echoing the sentiments of the ten spies who doubted God's promise. Hebrews 3:16-19Discusses the unbelief of the Israelites in the wilderness, which prevented them from entering God's rest, paralleling the lack of faith shown by the ten spies. 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 Able, Aren't, Attack, Strong, StrongerDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 13:31 8410 decision-making, examples Numbers 13:26-33 5714 men Numbers 13:27-32 4926 delay, human Numbers 13:27-33 4207 land, divine gift Numbers 13:30-33 5819 cowardice Numbers 13:31-32 5424 nationalism
8723 doubt, results of Numbers 13:31-33 5916 pessimism
5956 strength, human
8726 doubters 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 13:31 NIVNumbers 13:31 NLTNumbers 13:31 ESVNumbers 13:31 NASBNumbers 13:31 KJV
Numbers 13:31 Commentaries
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