Numbers 13 18

Numbers 13:18 kjv

And see the land, what it is, and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many;

Numbers 13:18 nkjv

and see what the land is like: whether the people who dwell in it are strong or weak, few or many;

Numbers 13:18 niv

See what the land is like and whether the people who live there are strong or weak, few or many.

Numbers 13:18 esv

and see what the land is, and whether the people who dwell in it are strong or weak, whether they are few or many,

Numbers 13:18 nlt

See what the land is like, and find out whether the people living there are strong or weak, few or many.

Numbers 13 verses

Numbers 13 18 Meaning

Numbers 13:18 instructs the spies sent into Canaan to observe and report on the land's agricultural quality and natural resources. Specifically, they were to discern whether the soil was fertile ("fat") or barren ("lean"), and if significant vegetation or trees were present, indicating its capacity to sustain a large population.

Numbers 13 18 Context

Numbers chapter 13 describes the mission of the twelve spies sent by Moses (at the LORD's command, Deut 1:22) from Kadesh-Barnea into Canaan. Their purpose was reconnaissance: to gather intelligence about the land, its inhabitants, and its resources. This specific verse, Numbers 13:18, outlines Moses' instruction to assess the land's agricultural viability and natural state, which was critical for a nomadic people preparing to settle and establish a society. The overall context highlights the transition from wilderness wandering to settling in the Promised Land, where the people's faith, or lack thereof, would be severely tested by the information brought back by the spies.

Numbers 13 18 Word analysis

• And what the land is: The spies were instructed to conduct a thorough evaluation of the land itself. This was not a casual observation but a strategic assessment of its core characteristics. The intent was to gain objective facts crucial for future settlement.
• whether it be fat or lean:
  • fat (Hebrew: שָׁמֵן, shamenah): Literally meaning "fat," "rich," or "well-nourished." In an agricultural context, it signifies fertile, productive soil capable of yielding abundant crops and sustaining livestock. It suggests a land that is naturally blessed with nutrients and conducive to growth.
  • lean (Hebrew: רָזָה, raza): Meaning "thin," "meagre," "withered," or "barren." In contrast to "fat," it denotes unproductive, impoverished soil, suggesting difficult or impossible conditions for agriculture.
  • Significance: This pair of terms directly assesses the agricultural potential—the foundational element for an agrarian society like Israel. A "fat" land implied divine blessing and the ability to flourish; a "lean" land, hardship and scarcity. This objective criterion would become highly significant in the contrasting reports of the spies later in the chapter, where their perception of the land's inhabitants overshadowed God's promise of fertility.
  • Original Context & Polemics: For an ancient agrarian society, the fertility of land was paramount for survival. A "fat" land was seen as a sign of divine favor and blessing (compare Psa 92:14, Prov 11:25 where "fat" is linked to prosperity). Conversely, "lean" land often indicated curse or judgment (Isa 1:30, Jer 8:13). While other ancient Near Eastern peoples attributed fertility to pagan deities like Baal, this assessment of Canaan's inherent "fatness" would ultimately point to Yahweh as the true giver of abundance, especially when coupled with the promise of rain.
• whether there be trees therein, or not:
  • trees (Hebrew: עֵץ, etz): This refers to significant vegetation, not just sparse bushes, but substantial trees which provide timber for building, wood for fuel, and often fruit (e.g., olive, fig, date). Large forested areas also indicate reliable water sources.
  • Significance: Trees are vital natural resources for a newly settled nation. Their presence (or absence) provides information about the climate, water availability, and general ecology of the region, beyond just the soil quality. They also suggest areas suitable for different forms of economic activity and could influence military strategy (e.g., cover for armies, or obstacles to movement).
  • Original Context & Polemics: Trees, especially specific types, held cultural significance. For instance, terebinths and oaks often marked sacred sites, sometimes pagan ones. However, in this context, the command is purely utilitarian: to assess resources for a nation building in a new land, thereby contrasting the Lord's practical provision with mere superstitious association.

Words-group analysis:The phrases "whether it be fat or lean, whether there be trees therein, or not" comprise direct, practical questions about the natural resources and agricultural viability of the land. These questions reveal a meticulously detailed concern for the Israelites' future well-being and ability to thrive in the Promised Land. This section of Moses' instructions (vv. 18-20) focuses on tangible aspects that a prudent military and administrative leader would consider before a large-scale migration and conquest. It sets up a contrast with the subsequent instructions about the inhabitants (vv. 19), showing a holistic assessment approach covering both physical and strategic aspects.

Numbers 13 18 Bonus section

• The terms "fat" and "lean" also appear figuratively in other biblical texts (e.g., Gen 41) to describe periods of abundance and scarcity, further underscoring the deep impact of this agricultural assessment on the Israelites' envisioned life in Canaan.
• The instruction for such detailed observation highlights God's expectation for human prudence and responsibility in assessing situations, even within a framework of divine promise. Faith is not blind; it considers facts, then acts in reliance on God.
• Canaan's unique topography (Deut 11:10-12) as a land dependent on seasonal rains ("drinks water from the rain of heaven") rather than large rivers and irrigation systems like Egypt. This meant its fertility was more directly tied to God's seasonal provision of rain, making the "fat or lean" observation critical for understanding how dependent they would be on God's blessings for sustenance.

Numbers 13 18 Commentary

Numbers 13:18 presents a foundational instruction to the spies, demanding an objective, physical assessment of the Promised Land. This inquiry into whether the land is "fat or lean" and possesses "trees" speaks to the very sustenance and prosperity of the future Israelite nation. It is a highly practical command, revealing God's detailed concern for His people's physical well-being. A "fat" land, abundant in resources, would naturally align with the divine promise of a land flowing with "milk and honey." The spies' observations were intended to be factual data, a reality check on the land's actual conditions, which, though crucial, should have reinforced, rather than undermined, their faith in God's ability to provide. The tragic irony is that despite the land's observable fertility, ten of the spies allowed the perceived strength of the inhabitants to overshadow God's promise and the land's manifest potential, leading to a crippling fear and rebellion among the people. The initial call was for a resource assessment, setting the stage for faith-driven conquest, not fear-driven retreat.