Deuteronomy 1:25

KJV

And they took of the fruit of the land in their hands, and brought [it] down unto us, and brought us word again, and said, [It is] a good land which the LORD our God doth give us.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they took {H3947} of the fruit {H6529} of the land {H776} in their hands {H3027}, and brought it down {H3381} unto us, and brought {H7725} us word {H1697} again {H7725}, and said {H559}, It is a good {H2896} land {H776} which the LORD {H3068} our God {H430} doth give {H5414} us.

Complete Jewish Bible

They took some of the produce of the land and brought it down to us; they also brought back word to us -'The land ADONAI our God is giving to us is good.'

Berean Standard Bible

They took some of the fruit of the land in their hands, carried it down to us, and brought us word: “It is a good land that the LORD our God is giving us.”

American Standard Version

And they took of the fruit of the land in their hands, and brought it down unto us, and brought us word again, and said, It is a good land which Jehovah our God giveth unto us.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 1:25 captures a pivotal moment in Israel's wilderness journey, as Moses recounts the initial, overwhelmingly positive report from the spies sent into Canaan. This verse highlights the tangible evidence of the land's extraordinary bounty—its "goodness"—and explicitly attributes this promised inheritance to the benevolent provision of "the LORD our God." It serves as a poignant reminder of God's unwavering faithfulness and the undeniable quality of His gifts, setting the stage for the tragic narrative of Israel's subsequent unbelief and rebellion despite such clear evidence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 1:25 is embedded within Moses' historical prologue (Deuteronomy 1-3), which serves as a foundational recap of Israel's journey from Mount Horeb (Sinai) to the plains of Moab. Moses, standing on the threshold of the Promised Land, addresses the new generation of Israelites, those born in the wilderness, who are about to enter Canaan. This verse specifically recounts the incident at Kadesh-barnea, where twelve spies were sent to scout the land, as originally detailed in [Numbers 13](/numbers/13 "Numbers 13 - The Spies Sent to Canaan"). Moses deliberately highlights the spies' initial, unanimous positive assessment of the land's fertility and God's promise, contrasting it with the fear-driven majority report that led to Israel's rebellion and the subsequent forty years of wilderness wandering. This retelling emphasizes God's faithfulness despite human failure, serving as both a warning and an encouragement to the generation poised to inherit the land.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the plains of Moab, approximately forty years after the Exodus from Egypt. The Israelites are camped just east of the Jordan River, preparing to cross into Canaan. The practice of sending spies or scouts before a military campaign or settlement was common in the ancient Near East. The land of Canaan itself was renowned for its agricultural richness, often described as a "land flowing with milk and honey" ([Exodus 3:8](/exodus/3-8 "Exodus 3:8 - God's Promise of a Land Flowing with Milk and Honey")). The spies' act of bringing back actual fruit—specifically a cluster of grapes so large it required two men to carry, along with pomegranates and figs, as mentioned in [Numbers 13:23](/numbers/13-23 "Numbers 13:23 - The Fruit from Eshcol")—was not merely anecdotal. It was tangible, undeniable proof of the land's fertility and its capacity to sustain a large population, starkly contrasting with the barren wilderness they had traversed for decades.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Deuteronomy and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Promise and Provision**, reaffirming God's unwavering commitment to His covenant with Abraham ([Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise to Abraham")) and His ability to provide abundantly for His people. The "good land" is a direct fulfillment of this promise. Secondly, it highlights the **Abundance of the Promised Land**, showcasing its inherent fertility and desirability as a divine gift, not merely a conquered territory. The physical evidence of the fruit serves as a powerful testament to this abundance. Finally, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **Human Response to Divine Revelation**. While the report is positive, it sets up the tragic contrast with Israel's subsequent unbelief, demonstrating that even undeniable evidence of God's goodness can be rejected due to fear and lack of faith, a crucial lesson for the new generation about to enter the land.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"good" (Hebrew, _ṭôḇ_):** This word signifies far more than mere pleasantness or aesthetic appeal. In biblical Hebrew, _ṭôḇ_ denotes suitability, benefit, moral excellence, and fitness for purpose. It is the same word used repeatedly in the creation account in [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account") to describe God's work as "good," signifying that it perfectly fulfills its divine intention and reflects the character of its Creator. Here, it affirms the land's inherent quality as perfectly suited for Israel's inheritance and as a direct reflection of the Giver's benevolent character.
* **"fruit" (Hebrew, _pərî_):** This term emphasizes the tangible, physical evidence of the land's bounty. The spies did not merely report on the land's potential; they brought back concrete proof of its fertility. As detailed in [Numbers 13:23](/numbers/13-23 "Numbers 13:23 - The Spies Return with Fruit"), this included a massive cluster of grapes, along with pomegranates and figs. The sheer size and quality of this "fruit" were designed to inspire faith and demonstrate God's abundant provision, making the subsequent unbelief all the more inexcusable.
* **"give" (Hebrew, _nātan_):** The verb "give" highlights God's sovereign act of bestowal. The land is not something Israel earns or conquers through their own might alone, but rather a gift freely given by "the LORD our God." This emphasizes divine initiative and grace, underscoring that the inheritance is rooted in God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, not in Israel's merit.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they took of the fruit of the land in their hands":** This clause describes the spies' direct, physical interaction with the land's produce. Their act of gathering the fruit was not just for consumption but for presentation, serving as undeniable, sensory evidence of the land's richness. It signifies a firsthand encounter with the promised abundance.
* **"and brought [it] down unto us":** This indicates the spies' return to the Israelite camp at Kadesh-barnea, where they presented the tangible evidence of the fruit to Moses, Aaron, and the entire congregation. The phrase "brought it down" suggests a descent from the elevated terrain of Canaan to the wilderness encampment. This public display was intended to confirm their report and inspire confidence.
* **"and brought us word again, and said":** This signifies the verbal report that accompanied the physical evidence. It was a formal declaration, a direct communication of their findings to the leaders and the people. The "word again" implies a completion of their mission, delivering the intelligence gathered during their reconnaissance.
* **"[It is] a good land which the LORD our God doth give us.":** This is the core of the spies' initial, unanimous assessment. It is a declaration of the land's inherent quality ("good") and, crucially, attributes its origin and possession to divine action ("which the LORD our God doth give us"). This statement acknowledges God's faithfulness as the source of their inheritance, framing the land not as a prize to be won, but as a gift to be received.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 1:25 employs several literary devices to enhance its impact. **Symbolism** is prominent, with the "fruit of the land" serving as a powerful symbol of God's promise, the land's abundance, and His faithfulness. This tangible evidence was meant to represent the spiritual reality of God's provision. The verse also utilizes **Contrast**, implicitly setting the fertile "good land" against the barren wilderness the Israelites had endured, and explicitly setting the initial positive report against the subsequent, fear-mongering report of the ten spies. This contrast highlights the stark choice between faith and unbelief. Furthermore, Moses' recounting here is an example of **Recapitulation** (or summary), where he retells a past event to impress its lessons upon the new generation, emphasizing key details for pedagogical purposes. The initial, enthusiastic declaration of the land's goodness also carries a subtle **Irony**, as this positive assessment, which should have spurred faith, ultimately precedes a catastrophic failure of faith.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 1:25 stands as a testament to God's character as a benevolent Giver, whose promises are not only reliable but also exceed human expectation in their goodness and abundance. The spies' report, confirmed by the physical evidence of the fruit, was an undeniable affirmation of God's faithfulness to His covenant. Yet, this verse also serves as a poignant prelude to Israel's tragic failure of faith, illustrating that even when God's goodness and provision are explicitly demonstrated, human fear and unbelief can lead to devastating consequences. It underscores the critical importance of responding to God's promises with trust, rather than allowing daunting challenges to overshadow the certainty of His word and the quality of His gifts. The "good land" was a tangible expression of God's desire to bless His people, a desire that remains constant even when human hearts falter.

* [Numbers 13:27](/numbers/13-27 "Numbers 13:27 - The Spies' Affirmation of the Land's Richness")
* [James 1:17](/james/1-17 "James 1:17 - The Source of Every Good Gift")
* [Hebrews 3:19](/hebrews/3-19 "Hebrews 3:19 - The Consequence of Unbelief Regarding God's Rest")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 1:25 offers profound lessons for believers today. Just as the Israelites were presented with undeniable evidence of God's promised goodness, we too are constantly surrounded by tangible proofs of His faithfulness and provision in our lives. This verse challenges us to cultivate a spirit of gratitude and keen spiritual discernment, enabling us to recognize and appreciate the "good land" that God has given us, whether it be material blessings, spiritual gifts, or the promises of His Word. It calls us to confront our own tendencies towards fear and unbelief, especially when faced with challenges that seem like "giants" in the land. By remembering God's past faithfulness and the inherent goodness of His character, we are encouraged to step forward in faith, trusting that His gifts are truly "good" and that His promises are trustworthy. Our response to God's demonstrated goodness should be one of confident obedience, rather than hesitation or doubt, allowing us to fully enter into the abundant life He has prepared for us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life have you seen tangible "fruit" of God's goodness and provision?**
* **What "giants" or fears might be preventing you from fully embracing the "good land" of God's promises in your life today?**
* **How can you cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude for God's gifts, even when circumstances seem challenging?**

### FAQ
**Why did Moses recount this positive report when the overall outcome was negative?**

Answer: Moses recounted this initial positive report for several crucial reasons. Firstly, it served to underscore God's undeniable faithfulness and the inherent goodness of the land He promised. By highlighting that the spies *themselves* confirmed the land was "good," Moses emphasized that the subsequent failure to enter was entirely due to Israel's unbelief and rebellion, not any deficiency on God's part or in His gift. Secondly, it acted as a stark warning to the new generation. They needed to understand the tragic consequences of their parents' lack of faith, even when presented with clear evidence of God's bounty. This historical reminder was meant to encourage them to respond with faith and obedience, avoiding the same mistakes as their predecessors and finally entering the "good land" that God had always intended for them.

**What was the significance of bringing back actual fruit?**

Answer: The act of bringing back actual fruit from the land was profoundly significant. It provided tangible, sensory, and undeniable proof of Canaan's extraordinary fertility and abundance. In a culture where oral reports could be questioned, physical evidence spoke volumes. The sheer size of the cluster of grapes, along with the pomegranates and figs ([Numbers 13:23](/numbers/13-23 "Numbers 13:23 - The Spies Return with Fruit")), served as a powerful visual aid, confirming that the land was indeed a "land flowing with milk and honey" ([Exodus 3:8](/exodus/3-8 "Exodus 3:8 - God's Promise of a Land Flowing with Milk and Honey")). This physical evidence was meant to inspire faith and confidence in God's promise, making the subsequent unbelief of the majority of the Israelites all the more inexcusable and tragic. It demonstrated that God's provision was not merely theoretical but a tangible reality.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 1:25, with its depiction of a "good land which the LORD our God doth give us," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ and the spiritual inheritance He provides. While the physical land of Canaan was a tangible gift, it foreshadowed the far greater spiritual blessings and the true "rest" that God offers His people through the New Covenant. Just as the fruit was tangible evidence of the land's goodness, Jesus Christ Himself is the ultimate and perfect "good gift" from God, the very embodiment of divine goodness and provision ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World")). He is the true "land" of spiritual abundance, where believers find rest from their labors ([Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Jesus' Invitation to Rest")), forgiveness of sins, and eternal life ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Jesus Offers Abundant Life")). The failure of the Israelites to enter the physical land due to unbelief serves as a solemn warning against neglecting the spiritual rest and inheritance offered in Christ ([Hebrews 4:1-11](/hebrews/4 "Hebrews 4 - The Promise of Rest")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ has conquered the true "giants" of sin and death, opening the way for all who believe to enter into a spiritual "good land" that is eternal and incorruptible, a heavenly country that is far superior to any earthly inheritance ([Hebrews 11:16](/hebrews/11-16 "Hebrews 11:16 - A Better Country")). The Holy Spirit, given to believers, is the "firstfruits" of this glorious inheritance, guaranteeing the fullness of what is yet to come in Christ ([Ephesians 1:13-14](/ephesians/1-13 "Ephesians 1:13 - The Seal of the Holy Spirit")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.