King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
We saw the N'filim, the descendants of 'Anak, who was from the N'filim; to ourselves we looked like grasshoppers by comparison, and we looked that way to them too!"
Berean Standard Bible:
We even saw the Nephilim there—the descendants of Anak that come from the Nephilim! We seemed like grasshoppers in our own sight, and we must have seemed the same to them!”
American Standard Version:
And there we saw the Nephilim, the sons of Anak, who come of the Nephilim: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And there we saw{H7200} the giants{H5303}, the sons{H1121} of Anak{H6061}, which come of the giants{H5303}: and we were in our own sight{H5869} as grasshoppers{H2284}, and so we were in their sight{H5869}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Deuteronomy 1:28
- Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people [is] greater and taller than we; the cities [are] great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there.
Isaiah 40:22
- [It is] he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof [are] as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:
Genesis 6:4
- ¶ There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare [children] to them, the same [became] mighty men which [were] of old, men of renown.
Deuteronomy 3:11
- For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold, his bedstead [was] a bedstead of iron; [is] it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? nine cubits [was] the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.
Deuteronomy 9:2
- A people great and tall, the children of the Anakims, whom thou knowest, and [of whom] thou hast heard [say], Who can stand before the children of Anak!
1 Samuel 17:42
- And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was [but] a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.
1 Chronicles 11:23
- And he slew an Egyptian, a man of [great] stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian's hand [was] a spear like a weaver's beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Numbers 13:33
1. **Themes:**
- **Fear and Faith:** The verse highlights the intense fear and lack of faith the Israelite spies experienced when they encountered the giants, the sons of Anak, in the Promised Land. Their fear was so overwhelming that they saw themselves as insignificant as grasshoppers in comparison.
- **Perception vs. Reality:** The spies' perception of themselves as small and powerless was mirrored by how they believed the giants saw them. This reflects the broader theme of how one's self-perception can influence one's reality and the importance of a faithful perspective.
- **God's Promises vs. Human Fear:** This event is a direct contrast to God's promises to the Israelites that He would give them the land and that they would succeed. The spies' report, steeped in fear, undermines God's assurances, presenting a conflict between divine promise and human doubt.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **The Exodus and Conquest:** Numbers 13:33 is set during the time of the Exodus, after the Israelites had escaped slavery in Egypt and were on the verge of entering the Promised Land. Moses sent twelve spies, one from each tribe, to scout the land of Canaan.
- **The Sons of Anak:** The Anakim were a race of giants believed to be descendants of Anak, and they were known to inhabit the land of Canaan. They were considered formidable opponents due to their size and strength.
- **The Spies' Mission:** The mission of the spies was to assess the land and its inhabitants, but the majority of the spies returned with a report that focused on the challenges they would face, particularly the presence of the giants, which discouraged the Israelites and led to a loss of faith and a refusal to enter the land.
- **Consequences of Fear:** The Israelites' lack of faith in God's power to help them conquer the land resulted in God's decree that they would wander in the wilderness for 40 years until the unbelieving generation had passed away, except for Joshua and Caleb, the two spies who trusted in God's promises.
In summary, Numbers 13:33 encapsulates the Israelites' struggle with fear and unbelief as they faced the daunting task of conquering a land inhabited by giants, which stands in stark contrast to the faith and courage that God required of them to inherit the Promised Land.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H7200
There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָאָה
Transliteration: râʼâh
Pronunciation: raw-aw'
Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. - Strong's Number: H5303
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נְפִיל
Transliteration: nᵉphîyl
Pronunciation: nef-eel'
Description: or נְפִל; from נָפַל; properly, a feller, i.e. a bully or tyrant; giant. - Strong's Number: H1121
There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּן
Transliteration: bên
Pronunciation: bane
Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. - Strong's Number: H6061
There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָנָק
Transliteration: ʻÂnâq
Pronunciation: aw-nawk'
Description: the same as עָנָק; Anak, a Canaanite; Anak. - Strong's Number: H5869
There are 830 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַיִן
Transliteration: ʻayin
Pronunciation: ah'-yin
Description: probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape); affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). - Strong's Number: H2284
There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָגָב
Transliteration: châgâb
Pronunciation: khaw-gawb'
Description: of uncertain derivation; a locust; locust.