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Public-domain commentary
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.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
One surviving comment on this verse from the historical church.
Spoke ill: These men, who by their misrepresentations of the land of promise, discouraged the Israelites from attempting the conquest of it, were a figure of worldlings, who, by decrying or misrepresenting true devotion, discourage Christians from seeking in earnest and acquiring so great a good, and thereby securing to themselves a happy eternity.
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Summary
Numbers 13:33 encapsulates the fearful and faithless report delivered by ten of the twelve spies dispatched by Moses to survey the land of Canaan. This pivotal verse reveals their crippling self-perception, seeing themselves as insignificant "grasshoppers" in comparison to the formidable inhabitants, particularly the "sons of Anak," whom they perceived as giants. This report, rooted in unbelief rather than reliance on God's promises, directly led to the Israelites' forty years of wilderness wandering, highlighting the devastating consequences of fear overpowering faith and distorting reality.
Context
Literary Context
Numbers 13:33 serves as the climactic and most damning statement within the negative report of the ten spies, which began upon their return to Kadesh-Barnea. Following God's explicit command to Moses to send twelve leaders to scout Canaan (Numbers 13:1-2), their forty-day mission was to assess the land's fertility, its inhabitants, and their fortifications. While they confirmed the land's abundance with tangible proof (a cluster of grapes, pomegranates, and figs), their report quickly devolved into a terrifying account of its formidable inhabitants and fortified cities. This verse, with its vivid imagery of giants and grasshoppers, directly contrasts with the faithful and encouraging report of Caleb and Joshua found in the subsequent chapter. It sets the immediate stage for the people's widespread rebellion and God's subsequent judgment in Numbers 14, marking a tragic turning point in Israel's wilderness journey.
Historical & Cultural Context
The Israelites stood at Kadesh-Barnea, on the very threshold of the Promised Land, approximately two years after their miraculous exodus from Egyptian bondage. They had been direct witnesses to God's overwhelming power in the plagues, the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, and His consistent provision of manna and water in the wilderness. Canaan itself was a land of diverse and often fortified city-states, inhabited by various peoples, including the Anakim, who were known in ancient Near Eastern traditions for their great stature and strength. In military intelligence of the era, exaggerated reports of enemy size and strength were not uncommon, often intended to demoralize opposing forces. The spies' report taps into a primal human fear of the unknown and the physically superior, amplified by a profound lack of trust in their divine Protector. Their perception was shaped by human sight and cultural anxieties rather than by the covenant promises of a God who had repeatedly demonstrated His ability and willingness to fight for His people (Deuteronomy 1:30).
Key Themes
This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes central to the book of Numbers and the broader Pentateuch. The most prominent is the stark contrast between human fear and divine promise. The spies' focus on the physical obstacles—the formidable "giants"—eclipsed God's explicit and repeated promise to grant them the land and fight on their behalf. This leads directly to the theme of unbelief and its devastating consequences, as their lack of faith resulted in an entire generation being condemned to die in the wilderness (Numbers 14:29-35). Furthermore, the verse highlights perception and self-worth, revealing how internal doubt and fear can profoundly distort reality, leading to a diminished sense of capability and identity. The phrase "we were in our own sight as grasshoppers" is a profound psychological insight into how a lack of faith can render one utterly powerless, even when God's omnipotence is readily available. Finally, the Anakim serve as a tangible symbol of the seemingly insurmountable obstacles that arise when faith falters, representing the challenges that test God's people.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
The Hebrew term הַנְּפִלִים (ha-nᵉphîylîm), translated as "giants," refers to the Nephilim, a mysterious group mentioned in Genesis 6:4 as powerful, ancient beings. Their appearance in Numbers 13:33, associated with the Anakim, suggests that the spies were not merely describing tall people, but evoking a sense of primeval, almost mythical, formidable beings. This term amplifies the perceived threat, making the obstacle seem overwhelmingly, perhaps even supernaturally, insurmountable.
The Hebrew word חֲגָבִים (châgâbîm) refers to locusts or grasshoppers. This term is a powerful and vivid metaphor for utter insignificance, vulnerability, and powerlessness. When the spies declare, "we were in our own sight as grasshoppers," they are expressing a profound sense of inferiority and dread, believing themselves to be easily crushed and consumed by the inhabitants of Canaan. The comparison highlights their complete lack of self-confidence and their failure to remember God's mighty hand.
The Hebrew word עַיִן (ʻayin), translated as "sight," refers to the eye, both literally and figuratively, encompassing perception, appearance, and even one's own estimation. The repetition of "in our own sight" and "in their sight" underscores the subjective nature of their assessment. It reveals that their fear originated internally ("in our own sight") and was then projected externally ("in their sight"), highlighting how their distorted perception, rather than objective reality or God's promise, dictated their conclusion.
Verse Breakdown
"And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, [which come] of the giants:"
This initial clause immediately establishes the primary source of the spies' terror: the formidable stature of the land's inhabitants. The repetition of "giants" (referring to the nᵉphîylîm and the Anakim, a specific powerful clan) emphasizes their colossal size and strength, creating an overwhelming sense of threat. The spies' focus is entirely on what they saw with their physical eyes, rather than what God had promised with His divine word. This visual encounter overrides their faith and becomes the foundation of their negative report.
"and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers,"
This is the heart of the spies' confession of unbelief and their distorted self-perception. Their internal assessment of themselves is one of profound inadequacy and vulnerability. They saw themselves not as God's chosen, redeemed people, empowered by the Almighty, but as utterly insignificant and defenseless creatures. This internal conviction of weakness is a direct result of their fear and their profound lack of faith in God's power to deliver on His promises.
"and so we were in their sight."
This final clause reveals the spies' projection of their own fear and self-doubt onto their adversaries. They assume that the Anakim would perceive them with the same disdain and ease of conquest that they felt for themselves. This statement is a powerful illustration of how internal fear can dictate external perception, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy of defeat. It underscores their failure to grasp that the true battle was not one of physical might, but of spiritual trust in the God who had already proven Himself greater than any foe.
Literary Devices
Numbers 13:33 is rich with literary devices that amplify its dramatic impact and communicate the spies' profound state of unbelief. The most prominent is Hyperbole, as the spies exaggerate the Anakim's size and their own insignificance to create a sense of insurmountable odds and justify their fear-driven counsel. This is powerfully conveyed through a vivid Metaphor, specifically the comparison of the Israelites to "grasshoppers." This imagery immediately evokes a sense of fragility, smallness, and vulnerability against a superior foe, contrasting sharply with the divine promise of victory. The verse also employs stark Contrast between the perceived strength of the Anakim and the perceived weakness of the Israelites, highlighting the chasm between human perspective and divine reality. Furthermore, there's a subtle Irony in the spies' statement "and so we were in their sight," as their own fear-induced perception, not necessarily the Anakim's actual view, became their self-imposed reality. This verse masterfully uses these devices to convey the psychological and spiritual state of unbelief.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Numbers 13:33 stands as a stark theological lesson on the destructive power of unbelief and the vital necessity of faith in God's promises. The spies' report reveals a profound failure to appropriate God's covenant faithfulness and omnipotence. Despite witnessing God's miraculous deliverance from Egypt and His continuous provision in the wilderness, they allowed the visible obstacles to overshadow the invisible, yet infinitely greater, power of God. This passage underscores that true strength and victory do not come from human might or perception, but from unwavering trust in the Lord, who fights for His people. Their "grasshopper" mentality was a direct affront to God's character and His commitment to His covenant.
Reflection and Application
Numbers 13:33 serves as a timeless cautionary tale for believers across generations. Just as the Israelites faced "giants" in the land, we too encounter formidable challenges in our lives—be it overwhelming circumstances, daunting tasks, spiritual battles, or deeply ingrained fears. This verse compels us to examine our own hearts: Do we, like the ten spies, allow our perception of obstacles or our own perceived inadequacy to dictate our response to God's call and promises? The "grasshopper" mentality is a spiritual malady that shrinks God to the size of our problems and inflates our problems to the size of giants. True faith, however, calls us to see our "giants" through the lens of God's infinite power and faithfulness. It reminds us that our identity and capacity are not rooted in our own strength or the world's assessment of us, but in the God who empowers the weak and makes the impossible possible. To overcome, we must cultivate a God-centered view, remembering that with Him, we are more than conquerors, capable of possessing every promise He has given. Our victory is not dependent on the size of our faith, but on the object of our faith—the Almighty God.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Who were the "giants" and the "sons of Anak" mentioned in this verse?
The KJV translates the Hebrew word nᵉphîylîm as "giants" in this verse, linking them to the mysterious, powerful beings mentioned in Genesis 6:4. The "sons of Anak" (Anakim) were a specific clan or people group known for their extraordinary stature and strength, inhabiting parts of Canaan, particularly Hebron and its surrounding areas (Joshua 14:15). While the Anakim were a real, formidable people, the spies' use of "Nephilim" likely served to exaggerate their size and evoke a sense of primeval, almost mythical dread, intensifying the perceived threat and their own fear. They were a tangible representation of the obstacles the Israelites were to overcome, intended to instill terror and discourage entry into the Promised Land.
What was the immediate consequence of the spies' fearful report?
The immediate and devastating consequence of the ten spies' fearful report was a widespread rebellion and profound lack of faith among the Israelite congregation. The people wept all night, grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and even proposed choosing a new leader to return to Egypt (Numbers 14:1-4). As a direct result of their persistent unbelief and refusal to trust God to deliver the land, that entire generation (those 20 years old and older, except for Caleb and Joshua) was condemned to die in the wilderness, wandering for forty years—a year for each day the spies explored the land (Numbers 14:29-35). This judgment served as a severe lesson on the cost of disobedience and unbelief.
How does this passage relate to trusting God in the face of overwhelming challenges today?
Numbers 13:33 serves as a timeless reminder that our perception of challenges often determines our response to God's promises. Just as the Israelites faced physical "giants," believers today encounter spiritual, emotional, financial, or relational "giants" that can seem insurmountable. This passage teaches us that true faith looks beyond the visible obstacle to the invisible power and faithfulness of God. Instead of seeing ourselves as "grasshoppers" in the face of overwhelming odds, we are called to remember that our identity and strength are found in God, who is greater than any challenge. It encourages us to trust God's ability to fulfill His purposes, even when circumstances seem impossible, and to guard against the fear and unbelief that can lead to spiritual stagnation and missed blessings. Our perspective, whether human-centered or God-centered, profoundly impacts our capacity to walk in faith and experience God's deliverance.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Numbers 13:33, with its vivid portrayal of fear and unbelief in the face of "giants," finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament. The spies' failure to enter the Promised Land due to their "grasshopper" mentality foreshadows humanity's inherent inability to overcome the true "giants" of sin, death, and the devil by its own strength. We are indeed "grasshoppers" when confronted with the overwhelming power of spiritual darkness and our own fallen nature. Jesus Christ, however, is the ultimate "giant-slayer." Unlike the fearful spies, Jesus perfectly trusted His Father, even when facing the ultimate "giant" of the cross. His victory over sin and death through His crucifixion and resurrection (Colossians 2:15) means that believers are no longer "grasshoppers" in their own sight or in the sight of their spiritual enemies. Through Christ, we are given a new identity and power. We are no longer defined by our weakness but by His strength, for His "strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). The "Promised Land" for the New Testament believer is not merely a physical territory but the spiritual inheritance and abundant life found in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). By faith in Him, we are empowered to overcome every spiritual giant, knowing that "greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4). He is the true and faithful Israelite who did not waver, and in Him, we receive the courage and faith to possess every spiritual blessing and live victoriously.