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Commentary on Numbers 13 verses 26–33
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 13:28 encapsulates the disheartening and faithless report delivered by ten of the twelve Israelite spies dispatched by Moses to reconnoiter the Promised Land. This pivotal verse vividly portrays the spies' overwhelming focus on the formidable strength of the Canaanite inhabitants, the imposing fortifications of their cities, and the terrifying presence of the Anakim, a race of giants. Their assessment, amplified by fear and entirely devoid of any acknowledgment of God's omnipotence or His covenant promises, served to instill profound fear and widespread unbelief within the Israelite community, thereby setting the stage for their catastrophic rebellion and the subsequent divine judgment that would prevent that generation from entering Canaan.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: The narrative of Numbers 13 commences with Yahweh's explicit command to Moses to send one leader from each of Israel's twelve tribes to explore the land of Canaan, which He had promised to give them. The spies' mission was comprehensive: to assess the land's agricultural fertility, the strength and number of its inhabitants, and the nature of their settlements, including whether they were fortified. After a forty-day reconnaissance, they returned, bringing back tangible proof of the land's abundance, such as a cluster of grapes so massive it required two men to carry. However, their report quickly pivoted from positive affirmation to a dire, fear-mongering assessment. Numbers 13:28 forms the core of this negative account, directly preceding Caleb's valiant, faith-filled attempt to reassure the people in Numbers 13:30. This verse's dire pronouncements are then amplified by the ten spies in Numbers 13:31-33, setting the tragic stage for the widespread rebellion and the severe divine judgment detailed in Numbers 14.
Historical & Cultural Context: At this juncture, the Israelites stood on the threshold of Canaan, a land already inhabited by diverse tribal groups, including the Hittites, Jebusites, Amorites, and various Canaanite peoples, alongside the particularly formidable Anakim. It was common in the ancient Near East for settlements to be fortified with substantial walls, serving both defensive purposes and control over vital trade routes and agricultural lands. The spies' description of "walled cities" and "very great" fortifications in Numbers 13:28 accurately reflects the prevalent architectural and military realities of the region. The Anakim, specifically, were a people renowned for their imposing stature, often associated with the Rephaim, an ancient race of giants mentioned in other Old Testament texts (e.g., Deuteronomy 2:10-11). For the nomadic Israelites, who possessed limited experience in siege warfare and were accustomed to a different way of life, such powerful adversaries and robust defenses would have appeared overwhelmingly daunting, particularly when their perspective was divorced from a robust faith in divine intervention and miraculous provision.
Key Themes: Numbers 13:28 serves as a potent microcosm for several overarching themes central to the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch as a whole. It starkly illustrates the profound contrast between human fear and divine promise, as the ten spies fixate entirely on human strength and impregnable fortifications, rather than on God's unwavering commitment to deliver the land to His people (Genesis 12:7). The verse also powerfully underscores the destructive consequences of unbelief and rebellion, demonstrating how this negative report directly precipitates the Israelites' refusal to enter Canaan and their subsequent forty-year wandering in the wilderness (Numbers 14:26-35). Furthermore, it introduces and develops the theme of perceived obstacles versus God's omnipotence, highlighting how a human perspective, when unanchored from faith, can magnify challenges into seemingly insurmountable barriers. The "children of Anak" mentioned in the verse (Numbers 13:28) become the quintessential symbol of this ultimate physical threat, embodying the spies' greatest fears and the perceived impossibility of God's promise.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Numbers 13:28 employs several potent literary devices to effectively convey the spies' fear and the perceived magnitude of their obstacles. Hyperbole is notably evident in the spies' description, particularly when contrasted with their later, more extreme amplification of the Anakim's size (Numbers 13:33). While the Anakim were indeed large, the spies' report likely exaggerated their invincibility to justify their profound fear and underlying unbelief. The strategic use of strong, definitive adjectives such as "strong," "walled," and "very great" creates an pervasive sense of foreboding and insurmountability, painting a vivid picture of an unconquerable land. The specific mention of "the children of Anak" functions as a powerful symbol of the ultimate, terrifying obstacle, serving as a physical embodiment of the challenges that seemed to utterly dwarf the Israelites. Furthermore, this verse subtly functions as a moment of foreshadowing, hinting at the impending crisis of faith and the subsequent divine judgment that will tragically lead to the forty-year wilderness wandering for that generation.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 13:28 stands as a profound theological statement on the indispensable nature of faith in the face of God's promises, and the destructive power of unbelief. It starkly exposes the human tendency to fixate on visible obstacles and perceived human limitations, rather than on the invisible, omnipotent power and unwavering faithfulness of God. The spies' report, conspicuously devoid of any reference to Yahweh's miraculous past deliverances (such as the Exodus) or His explicit, covenantal promise to give them the land, exemplifies a profound and tragic lack of trust. This verse serves as a timeless warning against allowing fear to eclipse faith, demonstrating how a human-centric perspective, unanchored from divine truth, can lead to spiritual paralysis, rebellion against God's will, and the forfeiture of blessings. It underscores the profound theological truth that perceived strength, formidable fortifications, or even giants are utterly irrelevant when the sovereign God of the universe is on one's side, a vital lesson Israel would learn through the bitter experience of wilderness wandering.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of the spies in Numbers 13, and particularly the chilling report presented in verse 28, serves as a timeless and deeply personal spiritual mirror for believers in every generation. We frequently encounter "giants" and "walled cities" in our contemporary lives – whether they manifest as overwhelming personal challenges, seemingly insurmountable obstacles in our callings, deep-seated anxieties, or persistent spiritual temptations. Like the spies, our natural human inclination is to assess these difficulties based solely on our own limited strength, resources, and experiences, which inevitably leads to doubt, despair, and spiritual paralysis. This verse profoundly challenges us to consciously shift our gaze from the imposing size of our problems to the infinite greatness and unwavering faithfulness of our God. It serves as a powerful reminder that God's promises are not contingent upon our perceived abilities, the absence of opposition, or the ease of the path, but solely on His sovereign power and unfailing faithfulness. To allow the "Anakim" of our lives – those intimidating challenges – to dictate our faith journey is to tragically repeat the Israelites' costly mistake, thereby forfeiting the abundant blessings and purposes God intends for us. True, biblical faith does not deny the existence of challenges but rather affirms the greater, more powerful reality of God's active presence and His omnipotent power to overcome them.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What was the significance of the "children of Anak" in the spies' report?
Answer: The "children of Anak," or Anakim, were a specific group of people known for their exceptionally large stature and formidable presence in the land of Canaan. Their mention in the spies' report in Numbers 13:28 was profoundly significant because they represented the ultimate physical threat and the most terrifying aspect of the land's inhabitants. For the ten faithless spies, encountering the Anakim confirmed their worst fears and became the primary, seemingly irrefutable justification for their belief that the land was unconquerable. They even exaggerated their size, famously claiming that the Anakim made them feel like mere "grasshoppers" in comparison (Numbers 13:33). The Anakim thus symbolized the insurmountable obstacles and the perceived impossibility of God's promise being fulfilled through human strength alone, leading directly to widespread panic, rebellion, and deep-seated unbelief among the Israelite community.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 13:28, with its vivid depiction of formidable enemies and seemingly insurmountable obstacles, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament's portrayal of spiritual warfare and Christ's ultimate, decisive victory over all adversaries. The "giants" and "walled cities" that instilled terror in the hearts of the Israelites represent the spiritual strongholds of sin, death, and the devil that humanity inherently faces. Just as the Anakim appeared unconquerable to the fearful spies, so too did the pervasive power of sin and the finality of death seem to hold all humanity in an inescapable bondage. However, unlike the faithless spies who recoiled in fear, Jesus Christ, the true and faithful Israelite, confronted and triumphed over these ultimate spiritual adversaries. He did not shrink from the "giants" of spiritual evil but, through His sacrificial crucifixion and glorious resurrection, He definitively disarmed the principalities and powers, triumphing over them publicly (Colossians 2:15). The victory that the Israelites failed to grasp by faith, Christ secured definitively and perfectly on behalf of all who believe. Through Christ, believers are now empowered to overcome spiritual "walled cities" and "giants," not by their own limited strength, but by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit and the supreme authority of His name (Ephesians 6:10-18). He is the true Joshua, leading His redeemed people into a spiritual inheritance where no foe, however great or terrifying, can ultimately stand against those who place their trust and faith in Him (Romans 8:37).