Numbers 13:33

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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!"

Berean Standard Bible

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!”

American Standard Version

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

### 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.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 13:33 concludes the spies' negative report, which began in [Numbers 13:26](/numbers/13-26 "Numbers 13:26 - The Spies' Return"). Following God's command to Moses to send twelve leaders to scout Canaan ([Numbers 13:1-2](/numbers/13-1 "Numbers 13:1-2 - Sending of the Spies")), their mission was to assess the land's fertility, its inhabitants, and their fortifications. After forty days, they returned with a mixed report: confirming the land's abundance with samples of its fruit, but also presenting a terrifying account of its formidable inhabitants. This verse is the climax of their fear-mongering, directly contrasting with the faithful and encouraging report of [Caleb and Joshua](/numbers/14-6 "Numbers 14:6 - Caleb and Joshua's Faithful Report") found in the subsequent chapter. It sets the stage for the people's rebellion and God's judgment in [Numbers 14](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - The People's Rebellion and God's Judgment").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites stood at Kadesh-Barnea, on the threshold of the Promised Land, approximately two years after their miraculous exodus from Egypt. They had witnessed God's power in the plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, and the provision of manna and water in the wilderness. Canaan was known for its diverse and often fortified city-states, inhabited by various peoples, including the Anakim, who were renowned for their great stature and strength. In the ancient Near East, exaggerated reports of enemy size and strength were common in military intelligence, often intended to demoralize. The spies' report taps into a primal human fear of the unknown and the physically superior, amplified by a 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 to fight for His people ([Deuteronomy 1:30](/deuteronomy/1-30 "Deuteronomy 1:30 - The Lord Fights for You")).

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes central to the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. The most prominent is the stark **contrast between human fear and divine promise**. The spies' focus on the physical obstacles—the 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 a generation being condemned to die in the wilderness ([Numbers 14:29-35](/numbers/14-29 "Numbers 14:29-35 - Consequences of Unbelief")). Furthermore, the verse highlights **perception and self-worth**, revealing how internal doubt and fear can 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 at their disposal. Finally, the **Anakim** serve as a tangible symbol of the seemingly insurmountable obstacles that arise when faith falters.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Giants (Hebrew, _nephilim_):** The KJV translates the Hebrew term הַנְּפִלִים (_ha-nephilim_) as "giants." This term specifically refers to the Nephilim, a mysterious group mentioned in [Genesis 6:4](/genesis/6-4 "Genesis 6:4 - The Nephilim Before the Flood") 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, thereby intensifying the perceived threat and their own fear. This term amplifies the sense of an overwhelming, perhaps even supernatural, obstacle.
* **Grasshoppers (Hebrew, _chagavim_):** The Hebrew word חֲגָבִים (_chagavim_) 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.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, [which come] of the giants:"** This clause immediately establishes the source of the spies' terror: the formidable stature of the land's inhabitants. The repetition of "giants" (referring to the Nephilim 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 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, but as utterly insignificant and defenseless creatures. This internal conviction of weakness is a direct result of their fear and lack of faith in God's power to deliver.
* **"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.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 13:33 is rich with literary devices that amplify its dramatic impact. 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 **Metaphor**, specifically the comparison of the Israelites to "grasshoppers." This vivid 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 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.

* [Deuteronomy 1:28-33](/deuteronomy/1-28 "Deuteronomy 1:28-33 - God Fights for Israel")
* [Psalm 118:6](/psalm/118-6 "Psalm 118:6 - The Lord is With Me")
* [Romans 8:31](/romans/8-31 "Romans 8:31 - God is For Us")

### 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.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "giants" are you currently facing in your life that seem insurmountable?**
* **In what areas of your life do you tend to view yourself as a "grasshopper" rather than as a child of the Almighty God?**
* **How might your current perception of your challenges be influenced more by fear and human sight than by faith in God's promises?**
* **What specific promises of God can you cling to when confronted with overwhelming obstacles, and how can you actively choose to believe them over your fears?**

### FAQ
**Who were the "giants" and the "sons of Anak" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: The KJV translates the Hebrew word _nephilim_ as "giants" in this verse, linking them to the mysterious, powerful beings mentioned in [Genesis 6:4](/genesis/6-4 "Genesis 6:4 - The Nephilim Before the Flood"). 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](/joshua/14-15 "Joshua 14:15 - Hebron and the Anakim")). 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.

**What was the immediate consequence of the spies' fearful report?**

Answer: The immediate and devastating consequence of the ten spies' fearful report was a widespread rebellion and 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](/numbers/14-1 "Numbers 14:1-4 - The People's Rebellion")). As a 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](/numbers/14-29 "Numbers 14:29-35 - Consequences of Unbelief")).

**How does this passage relate to trusting God in the face of overwhelming challenges today?**

Answer: 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.

### 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. 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](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities")) 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 ([2_Corinthians 12:9-10](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - God's Power in Weakness")). 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](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")). 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](/1_john/4-4 "1 John 4:4 - Greater is He in You")). 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.

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.

Isaiah 40:22

[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

¶ 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

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

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

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

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.