Numbers 13:31

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they [are] stronger than we.

Complete Jewish Bible:

But the men who had gone with him said, "We can't attack those people, because they are stronger than we are";

Berean Standard Bible:

But the men who had gone up with him replied, “We cannot go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are!”

American Standard Version:

But the men that went up with him said, We are not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

But the men^{H582} that went up^{H5927} with him said^{H559}, We be not able^{H3201} to go up^{H5927} against the people^{H5971}; for they are stronger^{H2389} than we.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Numbers 13:31

Numbers 13:31 is part of the narrative where Moses sends twelve spies, one from each tribe, to scout the Promised Land of Canaan. The verse captures the negative report from ten of the spies upon their return. They express doubt and fear, emphasizing that the inhabitants of the land are too powerful for the Israelites to overcome.

**Themes:**
1. **Faith vs. Fear:** The spies' report reflects a lack of faith in God's promise and power, contrasting with the theme of trust in God that runs throughout the Bible.
2. **Perception and Reality:** The spies' perception of the situation is influenced by their fear, which skews their view of reality and the capabilities they have with God's assistance.
3. **Obedience and Disobedience:** This moment is a pivotal point where the Israelites must choose between obeying God's command to possess the land or disobeying due to fear, which has consequences for their future.
4. **Leadership and Influence:** The report of the majority sways the people's attitude, illustrating the impact of leadership and communal influence on decision-making.

**Historical Context:**
The Israelites are on the brink of entering the land God promised to their ancestors. This event occurs during the Exodus, after the Israelites have escaped slavery in Egypt and received the Law at Mount Sinai. The journey to Canaan is part of God's plan to establish His people in a land flowing with milk and honey. However, the people's response to the spies' report leads to a loss of faith and results in God's decree that they will wander in the wilderness for 40 years until the generation that lacked faith has passed away. This verse is a turning point in the narrative, highlighting the consequences of disbelief and disobedience.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H582
   There are 648 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱנוֹשׁ
   Transliteration: ʼĕnôwsh
   Pronunciation: en-oshe'
   Description: from אָנַשׁ; properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified אָדָם); hence,; a man in general (singly or collectively); another, [idiom] (blood-) thirsty, certain, chap(-man); divers, fellow, [idiom] in the flower of their age, husband, (certain, mortal) man, people, person, servant, some ([idiom] of them), [phrase] stranger, those, [phrase] their trade. It is often unexpressed in the English versions, especially when used in apposition with another word. Compare אִישׁ.
   
2. Strong's Number: H5927
   There are 817 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָלָה
   Transliteration: ʻâlâh
   Pronunciation: aw-law'
   Description: a primitive root; to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative; arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work.
   
3. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3201
   There are 182 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָכֹל
   Transliteration: yâkôl
   Pronunciation: yaw-kole'
   Description: or (fuller) יָכוֹל; a primitive root; to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might); be able, any at all (ways), attain, can (away with, (-not)), could, endure, might, overcome, have power, prevail, still, suffer.
   
5. Strong's Number: H5971
   There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַם
   Transliteration: ʻam
   Pronunciation: am
   Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people.
   
6. Strong's Number: H2389
   There are 54 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָזָק
   Transliteration: châzâq
   Pronunciation: khaw-zawk'
   Description: from חָזַק; strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent); harder, hottest, [phrase] impudent, loud, mighty, sore, stiff(-hearted), strong(-er).