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.

And there we saw {H7200} the giants {H5303}, the sons {H1121} of Anak {H6061}, which come of the giants {H5303}: and we were in our own sight {H5869} as grasshoppers {H2284}, and so we were in their sight {H5869}.

We saw the N'filim, the descendants of 'Anak, who was from the N'filim; to ourselves we looked like grasshoppers by comparison, and we looked that way to them too!"

We even saw the Nephilim there—the descendants of Anak that come from the Nephilim! We seemed like grasshoppers in our own sight, and we must have seemed the same to them!”

And there we saw the Nephilim, the sons of Anak, who come of the Nephilim: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.

Commentary

Numbers 13:33 is a pivotal verse capturing the fearful and faithless report of ten of the twelve spies sent by Moses to scout the land of Canaan. This commentary provides insight into the historical context, key themes, and practical applications of this significant passage.

Context

Following the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, they arrived at the border of the Promised Land. Moses, at God's command, sent twelve leaders, one from each tribe, to explore the land (see Numbers 13:1-2). Their mission was to assess the land's fertility, its inhabitants, and their fortifications. After forty days, they returned with a mixed report. While they confirmed the land's abundance, bringing back samples of its fruit, ten of the spies presented a terrifying account of its inhabitants, particularly focusing on their formidable stature and strength. This verse encapsulates their overwhelming fear and despair, directly contradicting the faithful report of Caleb and Joshua.

Key Themes

  • Fear vs. Faith: The primary theme is the stark contrast between human fear and divine promise. The spies allowed the physical appearance of the inhabitants to overshadow God's explicit promise to give them the land and fight for them (Deuteronomy 1:30). Their focus was entirely on their own perceived weakness rather than God's omnipotence.
  • Perception and Self-Worth: The phrase "we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight" reveals a crippling self-perception. Their internal fear projected outward, leading them to believe the Anakim would view them with similar disdain and ease of conquest. This highlights how internal doubt can distort reality and diminish one's sense of capability.
  • The Giants (Anakim): The "sons of Anak" were a formidable, tall people group inhabiting parts of Canaan, known for their great stature and strength. Their presence was a significant deterrent for the fearful Israelites, becoming a symbol of the insurmountable obstacles in their minds.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses "giants" to translate the Hebrew word often associated with the Anakim, emphasizing their immense size. While not explicitly Nephilim (which appears in Genesis 6:4), the term conveys a similar sense of extraordinary physical presence. The comparison to "grasshoppers" (Hebrew: chagav) is a powerful metaphor for insignificance and vulnerability. It dramatically illustrates the spies' feeling of utter powerlessness when confronted with what they perceived as overwhelming opposition, contrasting sharply with God's view of His people.

Practical Application

Numbers 13:33 serves as a timeless warning against allowing fear and human perspective to dictate our response to God's promises. Like the spies, we often face "giants" in our lives—challenges, obstacles, or circumstances that seem overwhelming. This verse encourages us to:

  • Trust God's Power Over Perceived Obstacles: Our perspective of our own limitations or the size of our challenges should never outweigh our faith in God's ability to fulfill His purposes.
  • Guard Against Fear and Unbelief: The spies' report led to forty years of wandering in the wilderness, a direct consequence of their unbelief (see Numbers 14:29-35). Faith, not fear, is the foundation for moving forward in God's will.
  • Embrace a God-Centered View: Rather than viewing ourselves as "grasshoppers" in the face of challenges, we are called to remember that with God, all things are possible. Our identity and strength come from Him, not from our physical or perceived abilities.

This verse reminds us that the true battle is often fought in the mind, between trusting God's promises and succumbing to fear-driven perceptions.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 1:28 (9 votes)

    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.

  • Isaiah 40:22 (7 votes)

    [It is] he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof [are] as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:

  • Genesis 6:4 (6 votes)

    ¶ There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare [children] to them, the same [became] mighty men which [were] of old, men of renown.

  • Deuteronomy 3:11 (4 votes)

    For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold, his bedstead [was] a bedstead of iron; [is] it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? nine cubits [was] the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.

  • Deuteronomy 9:2 (4 votes)

    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!

  • 1 Samuel 17:42 (4 votes)

    And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was [but] a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.

  • 1 Chronicles 11:23 (3 votes)

    And he slew an Egyptian, a man of [great] stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian's hand [was] a spear like a weaver's beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.