Numbers 13:28

KJV

Nevertheless the people [be] strong that dwell in the land, and the cities [are] walled, [and] very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there.

KJV (with Strong's)

Nevertheless {H657} the people {H5971} be strong {H5794} that dwell {H3427} in the land {H776}, and the cities {H5892} are walled {H1219}, and very {H3966} great {H1419}: and moreover we saw {H7200} the children {H3211} of Anak {H6061} there.

Complete Jewish Bible

However the people living in the land are fierce, and the cities are fortified and very large. Moreover, we saw the 'Anakim there.

Berean Standard Bible

Nevertheless, the people living in the land are strong, and the cities are large and fortified. We even saw the descendants of Anak there.

American Standard Version

Howbeit the people that dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 13:28 captures the disheartening and faithless report of ten of the twelve spies sent by Moses to scout the Promised Land. This pivotal verse highlights the spies' 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 exaggerated assessment of the obstacles, devoid of any mention of God's power or promises, served to instill profound fear and unbelief within the Israelite community, ultimately leading to disastrous consequences for the generation poised to enter Canaan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 13 opens with Yahweh's command to Moses to send one leader from each tribe to explore the land of Canaan, which He was giving to the Israelites. The spies' mission was to assess the land's fertility, its inhabitants' strength, and the nature of their cities. After forty days, they returned, confirming the land's abundance with a cluster of grapes so large it required two men to carry. However, their report quickly turned negative, with ten of the twelve spies emphasizing the insurmountable challenges. Numbers 13:28 is the core of this negative report, directly preceding Caleb's attempt to reassure the people in [Numbers 13:30](/numbers/13-30 "Numbers 13:30 - Caleb's Call to Faith") and the subsequent amplification of fear by the ten spies in [Numbers 13:31-33](/numbers/13-31 "Numbers 13:31-33 - The Spies' Exaggerated Fear"). This verse sets the stage for the rebellion and divine judgment described in [Numbers 14](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - The Rebellion and God's Judgment").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites were on the cusp of entering Canaan, a land already populated by various tribal groups, including the Hittites, Jebusites, Amorites, and Canaanites, as well as the formidable Anakim. These groups often inhabited fortified cities, common in the ancient Near East for defense and control of trade routes. The mention of "walled cities" and "very great" fortifications in [Numbers 13:28](/numbers/13-28 "Numbers 13:28 - The Spies' Negative Report") reflects the reality of the region's defensive structures. The Anakim, specifically, were known for their imposing stature and were likely descendants of the Rephaim, an ancient race of giants mentioned elsewhere in the Old Testament (e.g., [Deuteronomy 2:10-11](/deuteronomy/2-10 "Deuteronomy 2:10-11 - The Emim and Anakim")). For a nomadic people like the Israelites, who lacked siege warfare experience and were accustomed to a different lifestyle, such adversaries and defenses would have appeared overwhelmingly daunting, especially without a strong faith in divine intervention.

* **Key Themes:** Numbers 13:28 is a microcosm of several overarching themes in the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. It starkly highlights the **contrast between human fear and divine promise**, as the spies focus entirely on human strength and fortifications rather than God's explicit commitment to give them the land (e.g., [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise to Abram")). The verse also underscores the destructive power of **unbelief and rebellion**, as this negative report directly leads to the Israelites' refusal to enter Canaan and their subsequent forty-year wandering in the wilderness ([Numbers 14:26-35](/numbers/14-26 "Numbers 14:26-35 - The Wilderness Wandering Sentence")). Furthermore, it introduces the theme of **perceived obstacles versus God's omnipotence**, demonstrating how human perspective, when divorced from faith, can magnify challenges into insurmountable barriers, exemplified by the "children of Anak" who symbolize the ultimate physical threat.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Strong (Hebrew, _ḥāzāq'_):** This word signifies not merely physical strength but also firmness, might, and severity. In the context of the people, it conveys their formidable nature, their resilience, and their perceived invincibility from the spies' human perspective. It implies a power that would be difficult, if not impossible, for the Israelites to overcome on their own.
* **Walled (Hebrew, _bāṣūr'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to cut off," "to enclose," or "to fortify," this term describes cities that are inaccessible and impregnable. It emphasizes the defensive strength and security of the Canaanite cities, suggesting that they were designed to withstand attack and were well-protected against invaders. The spies saw these walls as insurmountable barriers to conquest.
* **Anak (Hebrew, _‘ănaq'_):** This refers to the Anakim, a race of giants or exceptionally tall people. The name itself might be related to a root meaning "neck" or "necklace," possibly alluding to their tall stature or prominent appearance. Their presence represented the epitome of the physical threat, embodying the spies' greatest fears and serving as a tangible symbol of the land's terrifying inhabitants.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Nevertheless the people [be] strong that dwell in the land":** This phrase immediately introduces the central concern of the ten spies: the formidable nature of the land's inhabitants. The conjunction "Nevertheless" (or "However") signals a stark contrast to the positive report of the land's fertility, shifting the focus entirely to the perceived human obstacles. The emphasis is on the strength and power of the existing population, which the spies deemed too great for Israel to overcome.
* **"and the cities [are] walled, [and] very great":** Following the strength of the people, the spies highlight the defensive capabilities of their settlements. "Walled" cities imply impenetrable fortifications, designed to resist attack. The addition "and very great" further magnifies the scale of the challenge, suggesting not just strong defenses but also large, well-established urban centers that would be difficult to besiege or conquer.
* **"and moreover we saw the children of Anak there.":** This final clause serves as the climax of the spies' negative report, presenting the most terrifying and seemingly insurmountable obstacle. The "children of Anak" were renowned for their gigantic stature, representing the ultimate physical threat. Their mere presence was enough to instill profound fear, solidifying the spies' conviction that the conquest was impossible and that Israel would be utterly defeated.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey the spies' fear and the magnitude of their perceived obstacles. **Hyperbole** is evident in the spies' description, particularly in their later amplification of the Anakim's size (cf. [Numbers 13:33](/numbers/13-33 "Numbers 13:33 - We were like grasshoppers")). While the Anakim were indeed large, the spies' report likely exaggerated their invincibility to justify their fear and unbelief. The use of strong, definitive adjectives like "strong," "walled," and "very great" creates a sense of **foreboding** and **insurmountability**, painting a picture of an unconquerable land. The specific mention of "the children of Anak" serves as a powerful **symbol** of the ultimate, terrifying obstacle, a physical embodiment of the challenges that seemed to dwarf the Israelites. This verse also functions as a moment of **foreshadowing**, hinting at the impending crisis of faith and the subsequent divine judgment that will lead to the forty-year wilderness wandering.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 13:28 is a profound theological statement on the nature of faith and unbelief in the face of God's promises. It reveals the human tendency to focus on visible obstacles and human limitations rather than the invisible power and faithfulness of an omnipotent God. The spies' report, devoid of any reference to Yahweh's past deliverances or His explicit promise to give them the land, exemplifies a profound lack of trust. This verse serves as a stark warning against allowing fear to eclipse faith, demonstrating how a human-centric perspective can lead to spiritual paralysis and rebellion against divine will. It underscores the truth that perceived strength and fortifications are irrelevant when God is on one's side, a lesson Israel would learn through bitter experience.

* [Deuteronomy 1:28](/deuteronomy/1-28 "Deuteronomy 1:28 - Moses Recounts the Spies' Report")
* [Psalm 27:1](/psalm/27-1 "Psalm 27:1 - The Lord is My Light and Salvation")
* [Hebrews 3:19](/hebrews/3-19 "Hebrews 3:19 - They Could Not Enter Because of Unbelief")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of the spies in Numbers 13, and particularly the chilling report in verse 28, serves as a timeless spiritual mirror for believers today. We often face "giants" and "walled cities" in our lives – whether they are overwhelming challenges, seemingly insurmountable obstacles, deep-seated fears, or persistent temptations. Like the spies, our natural inclination is to assess these difficulties based on our own limited strength and resources, leading to doubt, despair, and paralysis. This verse challenges us to shift our gaze from the size of our problems to the greatness of our God. It reminds us that God's promises are not contingent on our perceived abilities or the absence of opposition, but on His sovereign power and faithfulness. To allow the "Anakim" of our lives to dictate our faith journey is to repeat the Israelites' tragic mistake, forfeiting the blessings God intends for us. True faith does not deny the existence of challenges but affirms the greater reality of God's presence and power to overcome them.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "giants" or "walled cities" are you facing in your life right now that seem insurmountable?**
* **How does your focus on the obstacles compare to your focus on God's power and promises?**
* **What specific promises of God can you cling to when fear threatens to overwhelm your faith?**
* **In what areas of your life might unbelief be preventing you from moving forward into God's intended blessings?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of the "children of Anak" in the spies' report?**

Answer: The "children of Anak" (Anakim) were a race of people known for their exceptionally large stature and formidable presence. Their mention in the spies' report in [Numbers 13:28](/numbers/13-28 "Numbers 13:28 - The Spies' Negative Report") was highly significant because they represented the ultimate physical threat and the most terrifying aspect of the land's inhabitants. For the spies, seeing the Anakim confirmed their worst fears and became the primary justification for their belief that the land was unconquerable. They even exaggerated, claiming the Anakim made them feel like "grasshoppers" ([Numbers 13:33](/numbers/13-33 "Numbers 13:33 - We were like grasshoppers")). The Anakim thus symbolized the insurmountable obstacles and the perceived impossibility of God's promise being fulfilled through human strength alone, leading to widespread panic and unbelief among the Israelites.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 13:28, with its emphasis on formidable enemies and insurmountable obstacles, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament's portrayal of spiritual warfare and Christ's ultimate victory. The "giants" and "walled cities" that terrified the Israelites represent the spiritual strongholds of sin, death, and the devil that humanity faces. Just as the Anakim seemed unconquerable, so too did the power of sin and death appear to hold humanity captive. However, unlike the faithless spies, Jesus Christ, the true and faithful Israelite, confronted and triumphed over these ultimate adversaries. He did not shrink from the "giants" of spiritual evil but, through His crucifixion and resurrection, disarmed the principalities and powers, triumphing over them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). The victory that the Israelites failed to grasp by faith, Christ secured definitively. Through Christ, believers are now empowered to overcome spiritual "walled cities" not by their own strength, but by the power of the Holy Spirit and the authority of His name ([Ephesians 6:10-18](/ephesians/6-10 "Ephesians 6:10-18 - The Armor of God")). He is the true Joshua, leading His people into a spiritual inheritance where no foe, however great, can ultimately stand against those who trust in Him ([Romans 8:37](/romans/8-37 "Romans 8:37 - More Than Conquerors")).

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.

Cross-References

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.

Deuteronomy 9:1

¶ Hear, O Israel: Thou [art] to pass over Jordan this day, to go in to possess nations greater and mightier than thyself, cities great and fenced up to heaven,

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!

Joshua 11:22

There was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of Israel: only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, there remained.

Numbers 13:33

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.

Joshua 15:14

And Caleb drove thence the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak.

Deuteronomy 2:21

A people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims; but the LORD destroyed them before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead: