Report of the Spies
Numbers 13:26-33
Num.13.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וילכו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- אהרן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- כל: DET
- עדת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- מדבר: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- פארן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קדשה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וישיבו: VERB,hiph,impf,3,m,pl
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- כל: DET
- העדה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ויראום: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- פרי: NOUN,m,sg,cs
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Numbers 13:23 (structural): Same scouting episode: describes cutting down and carrying the large cluster of fruit that the spies later show to the assembly (sets up v.26).
- Numbers 13:27 (verbal): Immediate parallel report: the spies’ words that the land 'flows with milk and honey' and the explicit presentation of its fruit echo v.26’s description of reporting and showing the produce.
- Deuteronomy 1:25 (verbal): Moses’ retelling of the same reconnaissance—'they took of the fruit of the land'—recounts the spies’ return and the presentation of produce in the Deuteronomic summary.
- Joshua 2:1–11 (thematic): Another instance of espionage in Canaan: spies are sent, enter the land, and return with a report (Rahab’s recognition of Israel’s deeds), paralleling the theme of reconnaissance and reporting to leadership.
- Joshua 14:6–12 (allusion): Caleb’s later appeal cites his role as one of the scouts who explored the land and brought back a report; this alludes to the Numbers episode and contrasts Caleb’s faithful response with the negative reaction of other spies.
Alternative generated candidates
- They returned to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation of the people of Israel at the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and they brought back word to them and to the whole assembly, and showed them the fruit of the land.
- They went and came to Moses and to Aaron and to all the congregation of the people of Israel at the wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh; and they reported to him and to all the congregation and showed them the fruit of the land.
Num.13.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויספרו: VERB,piel,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- באנו: VERB,qal,perf,1,c,pl
- אל: NEG
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- שלחתנו: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- וגם: CONJ
- זבת: VERB,qal,ptc,f,sg
- חלב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ודבש: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- וזה: CONJ+PRON,dem,m,sg,abs
- פריה: NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss,3,f
Parallels
- Exodus 3:8 (verbal): Uses the same wording — God will bring Israel to “a land flowing with milk and honey,” matching the spies’ report about the land’s fertility.
- Exodus 3:17 (structural): Promise formula that parallels the spies’ discovery: God will bring the people into the land flowing with milk and honey (same promise/background to the report).
- Exodus 13:5 (quotation): Reiterates the phrase “a land flowing with milk and honey” as the characterization of the Promised Land, the very description the spies give.
- Deuteronomy 8:7-9 (thematic): Detailed description of the land’s bounty (wheat, barley, vines, figs, pomegranates, olive oil and honey) parallels the spies’ emphasis on the land’s fruitful produce and ‘this is its fruit.’
- Numbers 14:7-9 (thematic): Caleb’s exhortation directly responds to the spies’ report, affirming that the land is exceedingly good and urging the people to trust God and enter it — a direct thematic continuation of Num 13:27.
Alternative generated candidates
- They told him, “We went to the land to which you sent us; indeed, it flows with milk and honey, and here is its fruit.”
- They told him, "We came to the land to which you sent us; indeed it flows with milk and honey, and here is its fruit."
Num.13.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אפס: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- עז: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הישב: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg,def
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- והערים: NOUN,f,pl,def
- בצרות: PREP
- גדלת: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- מאד: ADV
- וגם: CONJ
- ילדי: NOUN,m,pl,abs,1cs
- הענק: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ראינו: VERB,qal,perf,1,c,pl
- שם: ADV
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 1:28 (quotation): Deuteronomy repeats the spies' report almost verbatim: the people are strong, cities are large and fortified, and the sons of Anak are seen there.
- Numbers 13:32-33 (verbal): Immediate continuation of the same report in which the spies describe seeing the Nephilim/Anakim and feeling like grasshoppers—an expansion of v.28's claim.
- Joshua 11:21 (thematic): Joshua's campaign destroys the Anakim from Hebron, illustrating the historical reality of Anakim in the land and the later Israelite conquest that contrasts with the spies' fear.
- Judges 1:20 (verbal): States that Hebron was inhabited by Anakim (and was not captured at first), connecting the spies' observation about Anakim with specific cities in Canaan.
- Genesis 6:4 (allusion): Mentions the Nephilim/giants—provides the larger biblical motif/background for 'giants' (Anakim) referenced in the spies' report.
Alternative generated candidates
- But—behold—the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large; and moreover we saw there the descendants of Anak.
- Yet the people who dwell in the land are strong, the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw there the descendants of Anak.
Num.13.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- עמלק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יושב: VERB,qal,ptcp,1,m,sg
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- הנגב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- והחתי: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- והיבוסי: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- והאמרי: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- יושב: VERB,qal,ptcp,1,m,sg
- בהר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- והכנעני: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- ישב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- הים: NOUN,m,sg,abs,def
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- יד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הירדן: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 7:1 (verbal): Lists the nations Israel must dispossess — 'Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites' — matching the peoples named in Num 13:29.
- Joshua 11:3 (structural): Describes the kings and peoples living 'in the hill country, in the Negev, by the sea, and by the Jordan,' paralleling Num 13:29's geographic distribution of Amalek, Hittites, Jebusites, Amorites and Canaanites.
- Genesis 15:18-21 (thematic): God's covenantal grant lists many of the same inhabitants of Canaan (including Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Jebusites), connecting the promise to the peoples encountered by the spies.
- Exodus 3:8 (verbal): God's promise to bring Israel to 'a land flowing with milk and honey' names the Canaanites, Hittites and Amorites among the inhabitants — echoing the ethnic groups listed in Num 13:29.
Alternative generated candidates
- The Amalekite dwells in the Negev; the Hittite, the Jebusite, and the Amorite dwell in the hill country; and the Canaanite dwells by the sea and along the Jordan.
- Amalek dwells in the Negev; the Hittite and the Jebusite and the Amorite dwell in the hill country; and the Canaanite dwells by the sea and beside the Jordan.
Num.13.30 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהס: VERB,qal,impf,3,_,sg
- כלב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- נעלה: VERB,nip,perf,3,m,sg
- וירשנו: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,pl
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- יכול: ADJ,m,sg
- נוכל: VERB,qal,impf,1,pl
- לה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Numbers 14:6–9 (quotation): Caleb (with Joshua) again urges the people not to fear and to go up to possess the land — same occasion and immediate verbal/thematic continuation of his confident exhortation in 13:30.
- Numbers 14:24 (allusion): God’s commendation of Caleb — ‘another spirit’ who fully followed the LORD — explains why Caleb could confidently say they were able to take the land.
- Joshua 14:6–12 (thematic): Later account of Caleb claiming his inheritance (Hebron) and insisting he can drive out the inhabitants, echoing the confidence and promise implicit in 13:30.
- Deuteronomy 1:36 (allusion): Moses’ summary that Caleb ‘followed the LORD wholeheartedly’ recalls the character and faith behind Caleb’s declaration in 13:30 that they could take the land.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.”
- But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, "Let us go up at once and possess it; we are able to overcome it."
Num.13.31 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והאנשים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עלו: PREP+3ms_suff
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- אמרו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לא: PART_NEG
- נוכל: VERB,qal,impf,1,pl
- לעלות: VERB,qal,inf
- אל: NEG
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- חזק: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- ממנו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Deut.1.28-33 (verbal): Moses' retelling of the spies' report repeats the same claim that the land's inhabitants were stronger and that the spies felt weak (and later 'like grasshoppers'), echoing Numbers 13:31's language and complaint.
- Num.13.32-33 (verbal): The immediate continuation of the spies' speech: they spread a bad report and describe themselves as 'like grasshoppers,' a direct verbal and narrative parallel to verse 13:31's assertion of inability.
- Num.14.3-4 (thematic): The people's reaction to the spies' negative report—despair, talk of returning to Egypt, and rebelling against entering the land—flows directly from the claim in 13:31 and shows its communal consequence.
- Josh.2.9-11 (thematic): Rahab's account that the inhabitants fear Israel because 'the LORD has given them the land' contrasts and parallels the theme of perceived strength of peoples; both passages treat reputation and fear as decisive in assessing military prospects.
- Judg.6.15-16 (thematic): Gideon's protest that he is the least of his family and cannot accomplish the task parallels the motif of perceived weakness in 13:31; both passages set human incapacity against divine commissioning or promise.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are.”
- Yet the men who had gone up with him said, "We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are."
Num.13.32 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויוציאו: VERB,hiphil,imperf,3,m,pl
- דבת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- תרו: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עברנו: VERB,qal,perf,1,com,pl
- בה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- לתור: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אכלת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- יושביה: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,f,sg
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ראינו: VERB,qal,perf,1,c,pl
- בתוכה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,fs
- אנשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- מדות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 1:28 (quotation): Moses' retrospective retells the spies' report almost verbatim—mentioning the peoples' great stature and the fortified cities—echoing the negative assessment of the land and its inhabitants.
- Numbers 14:36-37 (structural): Immediate narrative follow-up identifying the men who brought the 'evil report' and recounting the punishment; it treats 13:32 as the source of congregational fear and judgment.
- Psalm 106:24-27 (allusion): The psalm recounts the spies' evil report and Israel's consequent rebellion and punishment, alluding to the same incident and its theological lesson about unbelief.
- Joshua 2:9-11 (thematic): Rahab's account of Canaanite fear of Israel and reports about Israel's deeds parallels the theme of intimidating reports about the land and its peoples—though from the Canaanites' perspective rather than the Israelite spies.
Alternative generated candidates
- So they spread an evil report among the people of Israel concerning the land that they had scouted, saying, “The land through which we have gone to scout is a land that devours its inhabitants; and all the people we saw in it are of great stature.”
- They spread an evil report of the land among the people of Israel, saying, "The land through which we went to spy is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people we saw in it are men of great stature."
Num.13.33 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ושם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ראינו: VERB,qal,perf,1,c,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- הנפילים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ענק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מן: PREP
- הנפלים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ונהי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,pl
- בעינינו: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,poss1,pl
- כחגבים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וכן: ADV
- היינו: VERB,qal,perf,1,pl
- בעיניהם: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,poss3,pl
Parallels
- Genesis 6:4 (verbal): Uses the same term 'Nephilim' (men of renown/giants); connects the spies' sighting to earlier tradition of giant figures in the pre‑Flood era.
- Deuteronomy 1:28 (quotation): Moses repeats the spies' report about the Anakim and the people's fear—an explicit retelling of the same eyewitness claim that they felt 'like grasshoppers' by implication.
- Deuteronomy 2:10-11 (thematic): Describes other ancient tall peoples (Emim/Rephaim) and equates them with the Anakim, situating the Anakim among the tradition of formidable, giant-like populations.
- Joshua 11:21-22 (thematic): Reports Joshua's campaign that destroyed the Anakim in the hill country, providing the narrative resolution to the spies' fear by showing Israel ultimately driving out these 'giants.'
- Joshua 15:13-14 (thematic): Caleb's account of driving the three sons of Anak out of Hebron directly echoes the spies' identification of Anakim in Hebron and shows a successful conquest of those feared inhabitants.
Alternative generated candidates
- There we saw the Nephilim—sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim—and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed in their sight.”
- There we saw the Nephilim—sons of Anak, of the Nephilim—and we were in our own sight like grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.
They went and came to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation of the people of Israel at the wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh, and they brought back their report to them and to the whole assembly, and showed them the fruit of the land.
They told him and said, "We came to the land to which you sent us; indeed it flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit." But the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there.
Amalek is settled in the Negev; the Hittite, the Jebusite, and the Amorite dwell in the hill country; and the Canaanite lives by the sea and beside the Jordan. But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, "Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it." And the men who had gone up with him answered, "We are not able to go up against that people, for they are stronger than we are." So they spread an unfavorable report among the people of Israel about the land that they had spied out, saying, "The land through which we passed to scout is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people we saw in it are of great size."
There we saw the Nephilim—sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim—and we seemed in our own eyes as grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them.