Numbers 14:7

KJV

And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, [is] an exceeding good land.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they spake {H559} unto all the company {H5712} of the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, saying {H559}, The land {H776}, which we passed {H5674} through to search {H8446} it, is an exceeding {H3966}{H3966} good {H2896} land {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and said to the whole community of Isra'el, "The land we passed through in order to spy it out is an outstandingly good land!

Berean Standard Bible

and said to the whole congregation of Israel, “The land we passed through and explored is an exceedingly good land.

American Standard Version

and they spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceeding good land.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 14:7 captures the courageous and counter-cultural declaration of Caleb and Joshua, two of the twelve spies sent by Moses to reconnoiter the land of Canaan. In stark opposition to the fear-mongering and doubt-filled report of the other ten spies, Caleb and Joshua boldly proclaimed to the entire assembly of Israel that the land they had explored was "an exceeding good land," emphasizing its divine promise, abundant provision, and the certainty of God's faithfulness to deliver it into their hands. This pivotal statement served as a desperate plea for faith amidst widespread rebellion and a testament to their unwavering trust in the Lord's power over human obstacles.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 14:7 is situated at a critical juncture in the book of Numbers, immediately following the spies' return and their contrasting reports. In [Numbers 13](/numbers/13 "Numbers 13 - The Spies Sent to Canaan"), Moses dispatched twelve leaders, one from each tribe, to scout the land of Canaan. While all agreed on the land's fertility, evidenced by the massive cluster of grapes brought back (cf. [Numbers 13:23-24](/numbers/13-23 "Numbers 13:23-24 - The Cluster of Grapes")), ten spies focused on the formidable inhabitants—the Anakim, described as giants—and their fortified cities, instilling terror and despair among the Israelites (cf. [Numbers 13:28-33](/numbers/13-28 "Numbers 13:28-33 - The Fearful Report")). Caleb, in [Numbers 13:30](/numbers/13-30 "Numbers 13:30 - Caleb's Call to Go Up"), first attempted to quiet the people and urge them to advance. Numbers 14:7-9 records Caleb and Joshua's joint, impassioned appeal to the assembly, directly refuting the negative report and calling the people to trust God, not to rebel, and to possess the land. This direct confrontation sets the stage for the people's catastrophic decision to rebel against the Lord, leading to the divine judgment of forty years of wilderness wandering.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites stood on the threshold of the Promised Land, having been miraculously delivered from Egyptian bondage and having received the Law at Mount Sinai. Their journey to Kadesh Barnea, on the southern border of Canaan, had been marked by divine provision and protection, yet also by repeated grumbling and lack of faith. The sending of the spies was a common ancient Near Eastern military and political practice to assess an enemy's strength and a land's resources before invasion. However, for Israel, this was not merely a military reconnaissance but a test of their faith in Yahweh's covenant promises. The land of Canaan was strategically important, a fertile crescent connecting major empires, and its inhabitants, including various Canaanite tribes, were established and often formidable. The cultural understanding of land as a divine inheritance and a source of identity, security, and blessing was paramount, making the spies' report, and particularly Caleb and Joshua's counter-report, incredibly significant for the national psyche and future.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes within the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **Faith vs. Unbelief**. Caleb and Joshua exemplify unwavering faith in God's power and promises, contrasting sharply with the crippling unbelief and fear that gripped the majority of the Israelites. Their declaration that the land is "exceeding good" is a testament to God's **Goodness and Provision**, affirming His character as a faithful covenant-keeper who gives good gifts, echoing the promise of a land "flowing with milk and honey" ([Exodus 3:8](/exodus/3-8 "Exodus 3:8 - The Promise of a Land Flowing with Milk and Honey")). It also underscores the theme of **Obedience and Rebellion**. The choice before Israel was clear: obey God's command to enter and possess the land, or rebel against His will. Caleb and Joshua's plea was for obedience, warning against the consequences of rebellion (cf. [Numbers 14:9](/numbers/14-9 "Numbers 14:9 - Do Not Rebel Against the Lord")). Finally, the verse highlights the **Cost of Disobedience** and the **Importance of Leadership**, as the people's subsequent choice to reject God's plan led to severe divine judgment and the loss of an entire generation's opportunity to enter the Promised Land (cf. [Numbers 14:28-35](/numbers/14-28 "Numbers 14:28-35 - God's Judgment on the Rebellious Generation")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Good (Hebrew, _ṭōv_):** This Hebrew adjective signifies not merely pleasantness but also moral, ethical, and aesthetic excellence, fitness, and suitability. When applied to land, it denotes fertility, abundance, and desirability. Its usage here by Caleb and Joshua is a direct affirmation of God's character and His promised provision, implying that the land is precisely as God described it—a place of blessing and sustenance.
* **Exceeding (Hebrew, _mĕ'ōd_):** This adverb serves as an intensifier, meaning "very," "greatly," or "exceedingly." When paired with _ṭōv_ (_ṭōv mĕ'ōd_), it creates a superlative expression, "very good" or "exceedingly good." This precise phrase echoes God's assessment of His completed creation in [Genesis 1:31](/genesis/1-31 "Genesis 1:31 - God Declares Creation 'Very Good'"), where He declares all that He had made to be "very good." This linguistic parallel is highly significant, suggesting that the Promised Land was not just good, but perfectly good, divinely ordained, and supremely fit for Israel, reflecting God's perfect design and intention for His people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel":** This clause emphasizes the public and direct nature of Caleb and Joshua's address. They did not whisper their report or share it only with Moses; they courageously confronted the entire panicked and rebellious assembly. This act underscores their conviction and their willingness to stand against the overwhelming majority, highlighting their leadership and prophetic courage in a moment of national crisis.
* **"saying, The land, which we passed through to search it,":** This phrase establishes the basis of their report: direct, eyewitness testimony. They, like the other ten spies, had personally traversed and observed the land. This shared experience makes their differing conclusion all the more striking. It confirms that their report was not based on ignorance but on the same facts, interpreted through a lens of faith rather than fear.
* **"[is] an exceeding good land.":** This is the core declaration, a powerful affirmation of God's promise and the land's inherent desirability. The phrase "exceeding good" (Hebrew: _ṭōv mĕ'ōd_) serves as a direct counter-narrative to the ten spies' report of insurmountable obstacles and devouring land. It shifts the focus from the inhabitants' strength to the land's inherent quality and, by extension, to the faithfulness and power of the God who promised it. It is a statement of theological truth as much as a geographical description, declaring God's provision to be perfect and abundant.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Numbers 14:7 is **Contrast**. The verse stands in stark opposition to the preceding and surrounding narrative of the ten spies' fearful report and the people's subsequent wailing and rebellion. Caleb and Joshua's declaration of an "exceeding good land" directly contrasts with the other spies' description of a land that "eateth up the inhabitants thereof" and is filled with "men of great stature" ([Numbers 13:32](/numbers/13-32 "Numbers 13:32 - The Land That Eats Up Its Inhabitants")). This contrast highlights the fundamental difference between a perspective of faith and one of fear. Another device is **Repetition**, as the concept of the "good land" is reiterated throughout the Pentateuch, emphasizing its significance as a divine gift. The use of the superlative "exceeding good" also functions as **Hyperbole** in the sense of expressing extreme positive affirmation, aiming to inspire and persuade the disheartened people by painting a vivid picture of divine blessing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 14:7 is a profound theological statement, asserting God's unwavering faithfulness and the inherent goodness of His promises despite daunting circumstances. It underscores that God's gifts are not merely adequate but supremely excellent, reflecting His character as a benevolent and omnipotent provider. The declaration of an "exceeding good land" serves as a powerful reminder that God's perspective often transcends human limitations and fears, calling His people to trust in His word above all visible obstacles. This verse also highlights the critical importance of spiritual discernment and courage, demonstrating that true faith sees God's power in the face of apparent impossibility, refusing to be swayed by the majority's unbelief. It is a foundational text for understanding the consequences of unbelief and the blessings of faithful obedience in the biblical narrative.

* [Deuteronomy 8:7-9](/deuteronomy/8-7 "Deuteronomy 8:7-9 - Description of the Good Land")
* [Psalm 34:8](/psalms/34-8 "Psalm 34:8 - Taste and See That the Lord Is Good")
* [Hebrews 11:1](/hebrews/11-1 "Hebrews 11:1 - The Definition of Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world often dominated by negative reports, fear-mongering, and the amplification of challenges, Numbers 14:7 calls believers to cultivate a counter-cultural perspective rooted in divine truth. Like Caleb and Joshua, we are challenged to see beyond the immediate giants and fortified cities of our lives—whether they be personal struggles, societal pressures, or global crises—and instead fix our gaze on the exceeding goodness and faithfulness of God. This verse encourages us to be voices of faith and hope in discouraging environments, to speak truth when doubt is rampant, and to trust that God's promises are always "exceeding good" and attainable through His power. It reminds us that our perception shapes our reality and our response; a faith-filled perspective empowers us to move forward, while a fear-filled one paralyzes us. We are called to embody the spirit of Caleb and Joshua, who saw God's ability to overcome any obstacle, rather than dwelling on the size of the obstacle itself.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "giants" or "fortified cities" in your life or circumstances are currently overshadowing God's promises?**
* **How can you cultivate a "Caleb and Joshua" perspective of faith and hope, even when the majority around you are consumed by fear?**
* **In what ways might you be called to speak words of truth and encouragement, affirming God's goodness, in a discouraging environment?**

### FAQ

**What made Caleb and Joshua's report different from the other ten spies?**

Answer: The fundamental difference lay in their perspective and underlying faith. While all twelve spies saw the same formidable challenges—strong inhabitants and fortified cities—Caleb and Joshua interpreted these challenges through the lens of God's covenant promises and omnipotence. The other ten spies focused solely on human limitations and the perceived strength of the enemy, leading to fear and unbelief. Caleb and Joshua, by contrast, focused on the faithfulness and power of Yahweh, believing that if God had promised the land, He would surely enable Israel to conquer it, regardless of the inhabitants' size or defenses. Their declaration that it was "an exceeding good land" was an affirmation of God's character and His ability to deliver on His word, whereas the others saw only insurmountable obstacles.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 14:7, with its bold declaration of an "exceeding good land," finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the embodiment of God's good promises and the means by which humanity enters into an even greater, spiritual inheritance. The earthly Promised Land, though good, was but a type and shadow of the heavenly realities and the spiritual blessings available in Christ. Just as Caleb and Joshua called Israel to enter a physical land of rest and abundance, Jesus calls His followers to enter into a spiritual rest and an eternal inheritance that transcends any earthly possession (cf. [Hebrews 4:9-11](/hebrews/4-9 "Hebrews 4:9-11 - The Rest That Remains for the People of God")). Through His perfect obedience and atoning sacrifice, Jesus has overcome the true "giants" of sin and death, making it possible for us to inherit "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places" ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Every Spiritual Blessing in Christ")). He is the true and faithful leader, unlike the unfaithful spies, who leads His people not merely to a land flowing with milk and honey, but to the very presence of God and an eternal kingdom that is "exceeding good" beyond all human comprehension (cf. [1 Peter 1:3-4](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3-4 - An Inheritance That Is Imperishable")). Our faith in Christ, like Caleb and Joshua's faith, is the key to possessing this promised reality, enabling us to see God's goodness and power at work even amidst the challenges of this world.

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

Numbers 13:27

And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this [is] the fruit of it.

Deuteronomy 1:25

And they took of the fruit of the land in their hands, and brought [it] down unto us, and brought us word again, and said, [It is] a good land which the LORD our God doth give us.

Deuteronomy 6:10

And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not,

Deuteronomy 6:11

And houses full of all good [things], which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full;

Deuteronomy 8:7

For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills;

Deuteronomy 8:9

A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any [thing] in it; a land whose stones [are] iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass.