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Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Numbers 13:26–33. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
It is a wonder how the people of Israel had patience to stay forty days for the return of their spies, when they were just ready to enter Canaan, under all the assurances of success they could have from the divine power, and a constant series of miracles that had hitherto attended them; but they distrusted God's power and promise, and were willing to be held in suspense by their own counsels, rather than be brought to a certainty by God's covenant. How much do we stand in our own light by our unbelief! Well, at length the messengers return, but they agree not in their report.
I.The major part discourage the people from going forward to Canaan; and justly are the Israelites left to this temptation, for putting so much confidence in the judgment of men, when they had the word of God to trust to. It is a righteous thing with God to give those up to strong delusions who will not receive his truth in the love of it.
1.Observe their report.
(1.)They could not deny but that the land of Canaan was a very fruitful land; the bunch of grapes they brought with them was an ocular demonstration of it, Num 13:27. God had promised them a land flowing with milk and honey, and the evil spies themselves own that it is such a land. Thus even out of the mouth of adversaries will God be glorified and the truth of his promise attested. And yet afterwards they contradict themselves, when they say (Num 13:32), It is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; as if, though it had milk, and honey, and grapes, yet it wanted other necessary provision; some think that there was a great plague in the country at the time they surveyed it, which they ought to have imputed to the wisdom of the divine Providence, which thus lessened the numbers of their enemies, to facilitate their conquests; but they invidiously imputed it to the unwholesomeness of the air, and thence took occasion to disparage the country. For this unreasonable fear of a plague in Canaan, they were justly cut off immediately by a plague in the wilderness, Num 14:37. But,
(2.)They represented the conquest of it as altogether impracticable, and that it was to no purpose to attempt it. The people are strong (Num 13:28), men of a great stature (Num 13:32), stronger than we, Num 13:31. The cities are represented as impregnable fortresses: they are walled and very great, Num 13:28. But nothing served their ill purpose more than a description of the giants, on whom they lay a great stress: We saw the children of Anak there (Num 13:28), and again, we saw the giants, those men of a prodigious size, the sons of Anak, who come of the giants, Num 13:33. They spoke as if they were ready to tremble at the mention of them, as they had done at the sight of them. "O these tremendous giants! when we were near them, we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, not only little and weak, but trembling and daunted." Compare Job 39:20, Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? "Nay, and so we were in their sight; they looked upon us with as much scorn and disdain as we did upon them with fear and trembling." So that upon the whole matter they gave it in as their judgment, We are not able to go up against them (Num 13:31), and therefore must think of taking some other course.
2.Now, even if they had been to judge only by human probabilities, they could not have been excused from the imputation of cowardice. Were not the hosts of Israel very numerous? 600,000 effective men, well marshalled and modelled, closely embodied, and entirely united in interest and affection, constituted as formidable an army as perhaps was ever brought into the field; many a less has done more than perhaps the conquering of Canaan was, witness Alexander's army. Moses, their commander-in-chief, was wise and brave; and if the people had put on resolution, and behaved themselves valiantly, what could have stood before them? It is true the Canaanites were strong, but they were dispersed (Num 13:29): Some dwell in the south and others in the mountains; so that by reason of their distance they could not soon get together, and by reason of their divided interests they could not long keep together, to oppose Israel. The country being plentiful would subsist an army, and, though the cities were walled, if they could beat them in the field the strong-holds would fall of course into their hands. And, lastly, as for the giants, their overgrown stature would but make them the better mark, and the bulkiest men have not always the best mettle.
3.But, though they deserved to be posted for cowards, this was not the worst, the scripture brands them for unbelievers. It was not any human probabilities they were required to depend upon, but,
(1.)They had the manifest and sensible tokens of God's presence with them, and the engagement of his power for them. The Canaanites were stronger than Israel; suppose they were, but were they stronger than the God of Israel? We are not able to deal with them, but is not God Almighty able? Have we not him in the midst of us? Does not he go before us? And is any thing too hard for him? Were we as grasshoppers before the giants, and are not they less than grasshoppers before God? Their cities are walled against us, but can they be walled against heaven? Besides this,
(2.)They had had very great experience of the length and strength of God's arm, lifted up and made bare on their behalf. Were not the Egyptians as much stronger than they as the Canaanites were? And yet, without a sword drawn by Israel or a stroke struck, the chariots and horsemen of Egypt were quite routed and ruined; the Amalekites took them at great disadvantages, and yet they were discomfited. Miracles were at this time their daily bread; were there nothing else, an army so well victualled as theirs was, so constantly, so plentifully, and all on free cost, would have a might advantage against any other force. Nay,
(3.)They had particular promises made them of victory and success in their wars against the Canaanites. God had given Abraham all possible assurances that he would put his seed into possession of that land, Gen 15:18; Gen 17:8. He had expressly promised them by Moses that he would drive out the Canaanites from before them (Exo 33:2), and that he would do it by little and little, Exo 23:30. And, after all this, for them to say, We are not able to go up against them, was in effect to say, "God himself is not able to make his words good." It was in effect to give him the lie, and to tell him he had undertaken more than he could perform. We have a short account of their sin, with which they infected the whole congregation, Psa 106:24. They despised the land, they believed not his word. Though, upon search, they had found it as good as he had said, a land flowing with milk and honey, yet they would not believe it as sure as he had said, but despaired of having it, though eternal truth itself had engaged it to them. And now this is the representation of the evil spies.
II.Caleb encouraged them to go forward, though he was seconded by Joshua only (Num 13:30):
Caleb stilled the people, whom he saw already put into a ferment even before Moses himself, whose shining face could not daunt them, when they began to grow unruly. Caleb signifies all heart, and he answered his name, was hearty himself, and would have made the people so if they would have hearkened to him. If Joshua had begun to stem the tide, he would have been suspected of partiality to Moses, whose minister he was; and therefore he prudently left it to Caleb's management at first, who was of the tribe of Judah, the leading tribe, and therefore the fittest to be heard. Caleb had seen and observed the strength of the inhabitants as much as his fellows, and upon the whole matter,
1.He speaks very confidently of success: We are well able to overcome them, as strong as they are.
2.He animates the people to go on, and, his lot lying in the van, he speaks as one resolved to lead them on with bravery: "Let us go up at once, one bold step, one bold stroke more, will do our business; it is all our own if we have but courage to make it so: Let us go up and possess it." He does not say, "Let us go up and conquer it;" he looks upon that to be as good as done already; but, "Let us go up and possess it; there is nothing to be done but to enter, and take the possession which God our great Lord is ready to give us." Note, The righteous are bold as a lion. Difficulties that lie in the way of salvation dwindle and vanish before a lively active faith in the power and promise of God. All things are possible, if they be but promised, to him that believes.
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Summary
Numbers 13:27 presents the initial, unanimous report of the twelve Israelite spies sent by Moses into Canaan, confirming the land's extraordinary fertility and abundance. They declare that it truly "floweth with milk and honey" and offer tangible proof of its richness through its produce. This pivotal verse sets a foundational stage, affirming God's faithfulness and the goodness of His promised land, even as it immediately precedes the contrasting, fear-driven report that would challenge the Israelites' faith.
Context
Literary Context
Numbers 13:27 is strategically positioned at a critical juncture in Israel's wilderness journey, marking their arrival at Kadesh-Barnea, on the very threshold of the Promised Land. The preceding verses (Numbers 13:1-25) meticulously detail the divine command to Moses to dispatch a leader from each of the twelve tribes to scout Canaan. Their mission was comprehensive: to assess the land's agricultural quality, the strength and number of its inhabitants, the nature of their fortified cities, and the overall fertility of the soil. Having spent forty days on this vital reconnaissance, verse 27 initiates their highly anticipated report to Moses and the entire congregation. This initial, positive affirmation of the land's bounty serves as a crucial setup, immediately preceding the introduction of the fearful, faithless report from the ten spies in Numbers 13:28-29, which sharply contrasts with the undeniable goodness presented here. It is the "good news" that validates God's promise before the "bad news" of the formidable challenges ahead.
Historical & Cultural Context
The Israelites, having experienced miraculous deliverance from Egyptian bondage and sustained by God's provision in the wilderness for over a year, stood at the precipice of their promised inheritance. Canaan was not an uninhabited wilderness but a region populated by various peoples, including the formidable Anakim, Amorites, Hittites, and Jebusites, as noted in Numbers 13:29. For a nomadic people accustomed to the austere conditions of the desert, the prospect of an agriculturally rich land was profoundly significant, representing the tangible fulfillment of centuries-old promises made to their patriarchs, such as Abraham in Genesis 12:7. The act of sending spies was a common and pragmatic military and strategic practice in the ancient Near East, designed to gather vital intelligence before a major campaign or settlement. The report, therefore, carried immense weight for the morale, strategic decisions, and collective faith of the entire nation, directly shaping their immediate future and serving as a profound test of their trust in God's power to deliver on His divine promises.
Key Themes
This verse powerfully underscores several foundational theological and narrative themes within the book of Numbers and the broader Pentateuch. First, it highlights God's Unwavering Faithfulness and Covenant Keeping. The phrase "it floweth with milk and honey" directly echoes God's own description of the land He promised to Israel (e.g., Exodus 3:8 and Leviticus 20:24). The spies' report, even from those who would later sow doubt, confirms the literal truth of God's word regarding the land's incredible bounty. Second, it emphasizes Divine Provision and Abundance. The physical evidence of the land's fruitfulness, particularly the immense cluster of grapes from Eshcol (explicitly mentioned in Numbers 13:23), served as undeniable proof of Canaan's agricultural richness—a stark and welcome contrast to the barren wilderness they had traversed. This abundance was not merely natural but a direct blessing and gift from God. Third, and most crucially, it introduces the central tension of Faith vs. Fear. While Numbers 13:27 presents the positive, hopeful aspect of the report, it immediately precedes the fearful assessment of the majority of spies, setting the stage for the dramatic conflict between trusting God's promise and succumbing to human fear, a tension that defines much of the subsequent narrative and the Israelites' forty-year wilderness wandering.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
From the primitive root H2100, meaning "to flow freely (as water), i.e. (specifically) to have a (sexual) flux; figuratively, to waste away; also to overflow." In this context, it conveys a sense of natural, effortless, and continuous abundance. It suggests that milk and honey are not merely present in the land, but are so plentiful that they seem to gush or overflow, indicating a land of inherent and overflowing richness that requires minimal human effort to yield its bounty, a stark contrast to the toil often associated with agriculture in less fertile regions.
Meaning "milk (as the richness of kine); [phrase] cheese, milk, sucking." This refers to dairy products, primarily from goats and sheep, which were staple elements of the ancient Israelite diet. Its inclusion signifies the presence of healthy livestock and lush pastures, indicating a land capable of sustaining large herds and providing rich animal products. It speaks to the pastoral wealth and nourishing quality of the land.
Meaning "from an unused root meaning to be gummy; honey (from its stickiness); by analogy, syrup; honey(-comb)." While it can refer to bee honey, in the context of the ancient Near East, "honey" often referred to date syrup, a common sweetener and source of energy. Its mention alongside milk paints a picture of a land that provides both essential sustenance (milk) and delightful luxuries (honey), symbolizing complete prosperity, sweetness, and blessing. The combination of "milk and honey" is an idiomatic expression for ultimate fertility and desirability.
Verse Breakdown
"And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us,"
This opening phrase establishes the directness and immediacy of the spies' report to Moses, the one who commissioned them. It confirms that they have successfully fulfilled their mission, having indeed entered and surveyed the specific land to which they were dispatched. This sets a factual and authoritative foundation for their subsequent observations, indicating that their report is based on direct, firsthand experience and observation.
"and surely it floweth with milk and honey;"
This is the core affirmation of the land's extraordinary fertility and divine blessing. The emphatic adverb "surely" (אֶפֶס, 'epes, meaning "indeed" or "only") underscores the undeniable truth and certainty of this observation. The idiomatic phrase "floweth with milk and honey" is a powerful, well-known descriptor of unparalleled abundance, signifying a land so rich and productive that it naturally yields an overflowing supply of sustenance and sweetness. It directly echoes God's own promises to Israel, confirming the veracity of His word.
"and this [is] the fruit of it."
This concluding clause provides tangible, irrefutable proof of their claim. The spies presented physical samples of the land's produce (likely the enormous cluster of grapes, pomegranates, and figs mentioned in Numbers 13:23, which required two men to carry). This visual evidence served as undeniable testimony to the land's incredible agricultural richness, transforming their initial assessment from a mere verbal report into a concrete and verifiable reality for the entire congregation.
Literary Devices
Numbers 13:27 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is Idiom, specifically the phrase "floweth with milk and honey." This well-established idiom, frequently repeated throughout the Pentateuch, is a powerful and concise way to communicate extraordinary fertility, prosperity, and divine blessing. It evokes a sensory experience of abundance, ease, and delight. There is also significant Symbolism at play: "milk" symbolizes sustenance, life, and the richness of pastoral wealth, while "honey" symbolizes sweetness, delight, and the bounty of agricultural produce. Together, they form a comprehensive picture of a land of complete provision and blessing. The presentation of the "fruit" acts as a form of Concrete Evidence or Visual Proof, transforming an abstract divine promise into a tangible reality for the Israelites, thereby strengthening the initial positive impression and validating the spies' report. Furthermore, this verse serves as a subtle form of Foreshadowing, as the undeniable goodness of the land, confirmed here, will soon be overshadowed by the fear-driven report of the formidable inhabitants, setting up the dramatic tension and conflict that defines the subsequent narrative and the Israelites' journey of faith.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Numbers 13:27 stands as a powerful testament to the unwavering faithfulness of God and the tangible reality of His covenant promises. Despite the Israelites' frequent murmurings and wavering faith in the wilderness, God's promise of a land of unparalleled abundance remained true. The spies' report, even from those who would later succumb to fear and doubt, confirmed that God's description of Canaan was not an exaggeration but an accurate portrayal of His generous provision. This initial positive assessment underscores the principle that God always fulfills His word, even when human faith falters. It reminds us that divine blessings are not merely spiritual but often manifest in concrete, material ways, designed to sustain and delight His people. The challenge, then as now, is to receive these blessings with unwavering faith, rather than allowing fear of obstacles to overshadow the goodness of God's gifts and hinder our progress into His intended blessings.
Reflection and Application
Numbers 13:27 offers a profound and enduring lesson for believers today: God's promises are always true, and His provision is always abundant. Just as the spies could not deny the physical evidence of Canaan's astonishing fertility, we too are called to recognize and affirm the goodness of God in our lives, even when daunting challenges loom large on the horizon. This verse encourages us to cultivate a vision of faith that steadfastly focuses on God's proven faithfulness rather than being overwhelmed by perceived obstacles or the magnitude of the challenges ahead. It reminds us that the "good news" of God's blessings and promises often precedes the "bad news" of the "giants" we must inevitably face. Our appropriate response to God's demonstrated goodness should be one of profound trust and courageous obedience, allowing His unfailing promises to anchor our hope and guide our actions. When we encounter "giants" in our own lives—be they financial struggles, health crises, relational conflicts, spiritual battles, or professional setbacks—we must intentionally remember the "fruit" that God has already provided, the undeniable evidence of His past faithfulness, and allow that to fuel our conviction that He will continue to lead us into the fullness of His promised blessings and purposes.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of the phrase "floweth with milk and honey"?
The phrase "floweth with milk and honey" (Hebrew: zûwb châlâb u'dᵉbash) is a powerful and iconic idiomatic expression used throughout the Old Testament to describe a land of extraordinary fertility, prosperity, and divine blessing. "Milk" signifies the abundance of livestock and dairy products, indicating lush pastures and a thriving pastoral economy capable of sustaining life. "Honey," often referring to date syrup or wild honey, represents the sweetness, richness, and delight of agricultural produce. Together, they paint a vivid picture of a land so naturally abundant that sustenance and delight are effortlessly provided, symbolizing the ultimate fulfillment of God's covenant promises of provision and blessing to His people. It stands in stark contrast to the barren wilderness the Israelites had traversed and highlights God's supernatural provision. For instance, God Himself uses this exact phrase when calling Moses to deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage to this promised land in Exodus 3:8, emphasizing its divine origin and unparalleled desirability.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
While Numbers 13:27 describes a literal land of earthly abundance and promise, it also serves as a profound type pointing to a deeper, spiritual reality found in Jesus Christ. The "land flowing with milk and honey" is a powerful foreshadowing of the spiritual blessings and abundant life offered through Christ. Just as Canaan was God's promised inheritance for Israel, so too is the kingdom of God, with all its immeasurable spiritual riches, the eternal inheritance for believers in Christ, as beautifully articulated in Ephesians 1:3-14. Jesus Himself declares, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10), revealing Himself as the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise of overflowing provision. He is the true "fruit" of God's redemptive plan, the ultimate provision that satisfies every spiritual hunger and thirst. The physical produce brought back by the spies, serving as tangible proof of Canaan's bounty, foreshadows the spiritual nourishment and delight found supremely in Christ, who is the "bread of life" (John 6:35) and the inexhaustible source of "living water" (John 4:10). The initial good report of the land, though tragically followed by fear and unbelief, finds its ultimate and unwavering fulfillment in the perfect goodness and faithfulness of God revealed in Jesus, who has decisively overcome the world and its "giants" (John 16:33), leading His people into an eternal inheritance far surpassing any earthly land or temporary blessing (1 Peter 1:3-5).