Numbers 13 24

Numbers 13:24 kjv

The place was called the brook Eshcol, because of the cluster of grapes which the children of Israel cut down from thence.

Numbers 13:24 nkjv

The place was called the Valley of Eshcol, because of the cluster which the men of Israel cut down there.

Numbers 13:24 niv

That place was called the Valley of Eshkol because of the cluster of grapes the Israelites cut off there.

Numbers 13:24 esv

That place was called the Valley of Eshcol, because of the cluster that the people of Israel cut down from there.

Numbers 13:24 nlt

That place was called the valley of Eshcol (which means "cluster"), because of the cluster of grapes the Israelite men cut there.

Numbers 13 verses

Numbers 13 24 Meaning

Numbers 13:24 describes the naming of a specific location in the Promised Land. This place was designated the Valley of Eshcol because of the exceptionally large cluster of grapes discovered and cut down there by the Israelite spies. The naming permanently commemorated the striking evidence of the land's abundant fertility, which God had promised.

Numbers 13 24 Context

Numbers chapter 13 begins with the LORD's command to Moses to send twelve leaders, one from each tribe, to explore the land of Canaan that He was giving to the Israelites. This mission, initiated at Kadesh-Barnea, was intended to gather intelligence about the land's inhabitants, strength, defenses, and especially its fertility and resources. Verse 24 details one of the concrete proofs of the land's abundance found by these spies. This finding, while fulfilling God's promise of a "good land," ironically became a point of contention among the Israelites. The grand scale of the grapes, though an undeniable sign of blessing, also highlighted the "strong" inhabitants and fortified cities for ten of the twelve spies, leading to fear and rebellion in Numbers chapter 14. This verse marks the physical peak of their discovery before their spiritual downfall. Historically, it captures Israel at a pivotal moment, poised on the edge of the Promised Land, about to decide their immediate future based on faith or fear.

Numbers 13 24 Word analysis

• That place (הַמָּק֖וֹם הַה֑וּא, hammaqom hahu): Emphasizes a specific, identified geographical location. This location holds historical significance due to the extraordinary event that occurred there, establishing it as a memorable landmark for Israel's journey.
• was called (קָרָ֥א, qara): This verb "to call" or "to name" signifies an act of bestowing identity, remembrance, or meaning upon someone or something. In biblical tradition, names often encapsulate the essence or significant event related to a person or place. Here, it permanently etches the event into the land's identity.
• the Valley of Eshcol (נַ֤חַל אֶשְׁכּוֹל֙, nachal Eshkol):
  • נַ֤חַל (nachal): Often translates to "brook" or "wadi" (a dry riverbed that flows only during rains), but can also refer to a "valley" or "gorge." Here, it specifies the geographical feature.
  • אֶשְׁכּוֹל (Eshkol): Means "cluster," specifically a "cluster of grapes." This is a key term, providing the direct reason for the name. The name "Eshkol" itself becomes symbolic of the land's incredible fruitfulness. There is also an individual named Eshcol, an Amorite chief, ally of Abraham (Gen 14:13, 24). While the verse explicitly states the valley was named for the cluster, the association with an existing ancient name might suggest a long-standing reputation of the area's fertility or simply that the existing place name's meaning aligned perfectly with the spies' discovery.
• because of (מֵאֵ֙ת, me'et): This preposition indicates causation, establishing a direct link between the act of cutting down the grape cluster and the naming of the valley.
• the cluster of grapes (הָאֶשְׁכּ֖וֹל, ha'eshkol): This noun emphasizes the same term "Eshkol" from the valley's name, drawing a clear and reinforcing connection between the place and the tangible proof found there. The definite article "the" ("ha") implies that specific, remarkable cluster already mentioned in verse 23. Its size, requiring two men to carry it on a pole (Num 13:23), underlines its uniqueness and the unparalleled richness of the land.
• that the men of Israel (אֲשֶׁר־כָּרְת֥וּ שָׁ֖ם בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל, 'asher-karetu sham bene Yisra'el):
  • cut down (karetu): An active verb indicating the action of harvesting or severing, highlighting that the spies physically collected this evidence.
  • men of Israel (bene Yisra'el): Specifies the group who performed the act – the chosen representatives of the nation. This was not an incidental find by a wanderer, but a deliberate act of documentation by the nation's delegates.
  • from there (sham): Locative adverb, reiterating the exact spot of the discovery within the Valley.

Word Group Analysis:

• "That place was called the Valley of Eshcol, because of the cluster of grapes": This phrase directly establishes an etymological explanation for the place name "Eshcol," rooting it firmly in the event of finding the exceptional fruit. It confirms God's promise of the land's abundance in a physical, undeniable way. The repetition of "Eshcol" (the cluster, and the name of the valley) is a Hebrew literary device emphasizing the source of the name.
• "that the men of Israel cut down from there": This phrase confirms the eyewitness account and the direct involvement of the Israelite spies in acquiring this proof. It shows their active participation in the exploration, setting the stage for their report and the nation's response. This concrete evidence was personally obtained, making their subsequent unbelief all the more significant.

Numbers 13 24 Bonus section

The extraordinary size of the grape cluster, described in the preceding verse as needing to be carried on a pole by two men (Num 13:23), highlights not just the land's fertility but its superlative fertility. It goes beyond mere agricultural richness; it signifies divine abundance, a sign of God's supernatural blessing on the Promised Land, often referred to as "a land flowing with milk and honey." The "pole" method of carrying further prevented the delicate grapes from being crushed, indicating the value and care attributed to this significant sample. The fact that the spies bothered to bring back such a large and fragile item suggests its profound impact on them as undeniable proof of the land's goodness, intended to sway the whole assembly. This grand evidence, meant to build faith, tragically exposed the nation's lack thereof, transforming a potential catalyst for trust into a testament of their doubt and fear.

Numbers 13 24 Commentary

Numbers 13:24 serves as a potent summary statement following the detailed account of the spies’ discovery in verse 23. It concretizes the evidence of God’s faithfulness in providing a "good land." The naming of the "Valley of Eshcol" transforms a temporary discovery into a lasting historical marker. This specific act of naming underlines the significant impact of the oversized grape cluster – it wasn't just fruit; it was a powerful, tangible symbol of the fertility and bounty that awaited Israel.

Ironically, while intended as irrefutable proof of God's blessing and power, this evidence became entangled in the nation's spiritual struggle. For the ten unfaithful spies, the same land that yielded such marvelous fruit also housed fearsome giants and formidable cities. They saw the "grapes" but failed to see God's omnipotence to deliver them, allowing fear to eclipse faith. For Joshua and Caleb, the fruit reinforced their conviction in God's promises and power, understanding that the God who provided such a land would also enable them to conquer its inhabitants.

This verse therefore encapsulates the divine reality of God's abundant provision and sets the stage for the dramatic crisis of faith that immediately follows, where a people, despite undeniable physical proof, chose unbelief and consequently delayed their inheritance for forty years. It remains a stark reminder that even the clearest evidence of God's blessings can be disregarded if faith in the Giver is absent.