Numbers 13:23

And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff; and [they brought] of the pomegranates, and of the figs.

And they came {H935} unto the brook {H5158} of Eshcol {H812}, and cut down {H3772} from thence a branch {H2156} with one {H259} cluster {H811} of grapes {H6025}, and they bare {H5375} it between two {H8147} upon a staff {H4132}; and they brought of the pomegranates {H7416}, and of the figs {H8384}.

They came to the Eshkol Valley; and there they cut off a branch bearing one cluster of grapes, which they carried on a pole between two of them; they also took pomegranates and figs.

When they came to the Valley of Eshcol, they cut down a branch with a single cluster of grapes, which they carried on a pole between two men. They also took some pomegranates and figs.

And they came unto the valley of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it upon a staff between two; they brought also of the pomegranates, and of the figs.

Numbers 13:23 describes a pivotal moment in Israel's journey to the Promised Land, showcasing the incredible fertility of the land God promised. This verse details the tangible evidence brought back by the spies Moses sent into Canaan, specifically the enormous cluster of grapes from the brook of Eshcol, along with pomegranates and figs.

Context

This verse is part of the narrative found in Numbers chapter 13, where Moses, at God's command, dispatches twelve leaders, one from each tribe, to scout the land of Canaan. Their mission, detailed in Numbers 13:1-2, was to assess the land's inhabitants, its agricultural potential, and its fortified cities. After forty days, the spies returned to the camp at Kadesh-barnea, bringing with them a report and compelling physical proof of the land's richness.

Key Themes

  • The Abundance of the Promised Land: The central theme here is the extraordinary fruitfulness of Canaan. The sheer size of the grape cluster, so large it required two men to carry it on a staff, along with the presence of pomegranates and figs, served as undeniable proof that the land was indeed "a land flowing with milk and honey," as described in Exodus 3:8. This visual evidence confirmed God's promise of a bountiful inheritance for His people.
  • God's Faithfulness: The lush produce was a testament to God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. He had promised a good land, and this sample proved His word was true, even before the Israelites entered it.
  • Tangible Evidence and Testimony: The fruit served as concrete, undeniable evidence for the entire congregation. It was meant to inspire faith and confidence in God's ability to deliver on His promises, despite the challenges that would later be reported by the ten fearful spies.

Linguistic Insights

The name Eshcol (Hebrew: אֶשְׁכֹּל, 'eshkol) itself means "cluster" or "bunch," particularly of grapes. This is a remarkable linguistic detail, as the very place where they found the immense grape cluster bore a name directly related to what they discovered. This divine synchronicity underscores the significance of the find and God's hand in leading them to such a representative spot.

Practical Application

Numbers 13:23 reminds us that God's promises are not empty; they are backed by His character and power. Just as the grapes, pomegranates, and figs were a foretaste of Canaan's abundance, so too does God often give us glimpses or "firstfruits" of His blessings to encourage our faith in greater things to come. This verse challenges us to consider what "good reports" we are bringing back in our own spiritual journeys. Are we focusing on the evidence of God's goodness and provision, or are we allowing fear and doubt to overshadow the blessings, as tragically happened later with the majority of the spies in Numbers 13:31-33?

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Numbers 13:24

    The place was called the brook Eshcol, because of the cluster of grapes which the children of Israel cut down from thence.

  • Numbers 32:9

    For when they went up unto the valley of Eshcol, and saw the land, they discouraged the heart of the children of Israel, that they should not go into the land which the LORD had given them.

  • Deuteronomy 1:24

    And they turned and went up into the mountain, and came unto the valley of Eshcol, and searched it out.

  • Deuteronomy 1:25

    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.

  • Judges 16:4

    ¶ And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name [was] Delilah.
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