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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 13:29 provides a critical component of the fearful spies' report, meticulously detailing the strategic geographical distribution of the formidable inhabitants of Canaan. This verse identifies various powerful ethnic groups—the Amalekites, Hittites, Jebusites, Amorites, and Canaanites—and describes their entrenched positions across the Promised Land, spanning from the southern desert to the central mountainous highlands and the fertile coastal and Jordan Valley regions. This precise assessment of the adversaries' strength and strategic placement serves as a pivotal argument in the spies' counsel against immediate conquest, directly precipitating the Israelites' profound crisis of faith and subsequent rebellion against God's explicit command.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Numbers 13:29 masterfully employs several literary devices to achieve its intended effect of conveying overwhelming opposition and justifying the spies' fearful report. Enumeration is prominently featured, as the verse lists five distinct ethnic groups (Amalekites, Hittites, Jebusites, Amorites, Canaanites) to convey the sheer number, diversity, and comprehensive nature of the adversaries. This detailed listing creates a powerful sense of an utterly occupied land. Geographical Specificity is equally crucial; by meticulously assigning each group to a particular, well-defined region ("land of the south," "mountains," "by the sea," "by the coast of Jordan"), the spies paint a vivid and seemingly inescapable picture of a land fully controlled by powerful, entrenched enemies. This precise mapping serves to underscore the perceived impossibility of conquest from a human perspective. Furthermore, the verse functions as a form of Foreshadowing, setting the grim stage for the subsequent crisis of faith and the divine judgment that would befall the generation of Israelites who succumbed to fear and refused to enter the land. The detailed description of the obstacles provides the "justification" for their rebellion, highlighting the human perspective that tragically failed to account for God's omnipotence and unwavering promises.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 13:29, though presented as a factual reconnaissance report, carries profound theological weight, serving as a stark reminder of the perennial human tendency to focus on perceived obstacles rather than on divine promises and power. The detailed description of the formidable inhabitants of Canaan underscores the immense, humanly insurmountable challenge Israel faced, yet it simultaneously highlights the magnificent scale of God's covenant faithfulness and omnipotence, for He had repeatedly promised to drive out these very nations before His people (e.g., Exodus 23:23). The spies' report, culminating in this verse's detailed enumeration of enemies, reveals a fundamental failure to trust in God's sovereign power, transforming a factual observation into a declaration of impossibility. This narrative arc powerfully illustrates the spiritual battle between reliance on human sight and unwavering divine faith, a critical theme echoed throughout the entirety of biblical history.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 13:29 serves as a potent mirror for our own lives, revealing the common human inclination to magnify challenges beyond the scope of God's boundless power. Just as the Israelites faced formidable, entrenched "giants" in the Promised Land, we too encounter seemingly insurmountable obstacles in our spiritual journeys, personal lives, or vocational callings. These "Amalekites in the south" or "Amorites in the mountains" might manifest as deep-seated fears, overwhelming anxieties, chronic struggles, relational conflicts, or external pressures that appear too strong to overcome. The critical lesson from this verse and its broader context is not merely the presence of these giants, but our response to them. Do we, like the ten unfaithful spies, allow the detailed inventory of our problems to overshadow the boundless power and unwavering promises of God, leading to paralysis, retreat, and a wilderness of doubt? Or do we, like Caleb (Numbers 13:30), choose to see our challenges through the lens of faith, remembering that the God who promised victory is infinitely greater than any obstacle? Our perspective profoundly determines our destiny: a focus on the problem leads to fear, stagnation, and defeat; a focus on God leads to faith, courage, and eventual triumph.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did the spies focus so much on the inhabitants rather than the land's bounty?
Answer: While the spies did acknowledge the land's fertility and bounty (Numbers 13:27), their primary focus quickly shifted to the inhabitants because their mission explicitly included assessing the strength of the people and their fortified cities (Numbers 13:18-19). Their report was driven by a human, rather than a faith-filled, perspective. They saw the "giants" (Numbers 13:33) and the entrenched positions of the various tribes as insurmountable military obstacles, leading them to conclude that conquest was impossible. This fear-driven assessment overshadowed their initial positive report about the land itself, directly leading to the people's rebellion and profound lack of trust in God's ability to fulfill His promise to drive out these very nations (Exodus 33:2).
Were the tribes mentioned in Numbers 13:29 truly as powerful as the spies described?
Answer: Yes, the tribes mentioned were indeed formidable and well-established powers in the region. The Amalekites were known for their aggressive raiding, the Hittites represented a significant regional presence, and the Jebusites held the strategically vital stronghold of Jerusalem. The Amorites and Canaanites represented broad, entrenched populations across key geographical areas. The spies' factual observations about their strength and strategic locations were largely accurate. The error was not in their assessment of the enemies' strength, but in their catastrophic failure to acknowledge and trust in God's infinitely greater strength and His explicit promise to fight for Israel and drive out these inhabitants (Deuteronomy 9:3). Their report, while factually correct about the obstacles, was spiritually flawed in its ultimate conclusion.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Numbers 13:29, with its detailed depiction of formidable, entrenched enemies, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the ultimate and decisive victory secured by Jesus over the spiritual "giants" that truly enslave humanity. The physical obstacles faced by Israel—the Amalekites, Hittites, Jebusites, Amorites, and Canaanites—were earthly manifestations of the spiritual warfare that humanity faces against the pervasive forces of sin, death, and the powers of darkness. Just as ancient Israel was called to conquer and inherit a physical promised land, believers are called to inherit an eternal spiritual kingdom, not by their own strength, but solely through the redemptive power of Christ. Jesus, the true and greater Joshua, did not merely scout the land; He entered the enemy's territory, confronting and decisively defeating the ultimate adversaries: sin through His atoning sacrifice on the cross (Colossians 2:13-14), death through His glorious resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:54-57), and the devil himself, who held the power of death (Hebrews 2:14-15). Where Israel faltered in faith, leading to a generation lost in wilderness wandering, Christ perfectly fulfilled God's will, perfectly trusting His Father, thereby opening the way for all who believe to enter into the true "rest" and "inheritance" of God's eternal kingdom (Hebrews 4:1-11). His decisive victory ensures that no spiritual "giant" or entrenched sin can ultimately stand against those who are in Him, for He has already triumphed over all principalities and powers, disarming them and making a public spectacle of them (Colossians 2:15), leading His redeemed people to possess the true spiritual Promised Land.