Numbers 13 27

Numbers 13:27 kjv

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.

Numbers 13:27 nkjv

Then they told him, and said: "We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit.

Numbers 13:27 niv

They gave Moses this account: "We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit.

Numbers 13:27 esv

And they told him, "We came to the land to which you sent us. It flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit.

Numbers 13:27 nlt

This was their report to Moses: "We entered the land you sent us to explore, and it is indeed a bountiful country ? a land flowing with milk and honey. Here is the kind of fruit it produces.

Numbers 13 verses

Numbers 13 27 Meaning

Numbers 13:27 conveys the initial, positive assessment of the twelve spies sent by Moses into Canaan. It confirms that the land perfectly matches God's description of it as a land flowing with abundance and prosperity. The verse emphasizes that not only is the land fertile, but also the spies brought back tangible evidence of its incredible produce, fulfilling the divine promise.

Numbers 13 27 Context

Numbers chapter 13 describes Moses sending twelve leaders, one from each tribe, to scout the land of Canaan. This reconnaissance mission, initiated at God's command, was to determine the land's nature, its inhabitants' strength, and suitable routes for invasion. The spies were in the land for forty days, returning to Kadesh-Barnea with their report to Moses, Aaron, and the entire congregation of Israel. Verse 27 represents the first part of their report—the truthful and positive acknowledgment of the land's remarkable fertility, as promised by God, demonstrated by the very real fruit they brought back. This initial assessment lays the groundwork for the tragic turn of events that follows in verses 28-29, where ten spies succumb to fear and dissuade the people from entering.

Numbers 13 27 Word analysis

• "They reported" (וַיְסַפְּרוּ - vayisapru): From the Hebrew verb sapar, meaning "to count," but in Hiphil stem, it signifies "to tell," "to declare," or "to give a detailed account." It implies a formal and comprehensive delivery of information, underscoring the gravity of their mission.
• "to him" (לוֹ - lo): Refers directly to Moses, the appointed leader and God's representative, highlighting the hierarchical structure and the chain of command through which the report was presented.
• "and said" (וַיֹּאמְרוּ - vayomeru): From amar, "to say." This phrase often introduces direct speech. Here, it indicates the specific content of their detailed report.
• "We came to the land" (בָּאנוּ אֶל הָאָרֶץ - ba'nu el ha'aretz):
  • ba'nu ("we came"): A declarative statement affirming the successful completion of their mission, specifically the act of reaching the intended destination.
  • ha'aretz ("the land"): The definite article "the" specifies the particular land, signifying the Promised Land of Canaan, which had been the focus of divine promise for centuries.
• "to which you sent us" (אֲשֶׁר שְׁלַחְתָּנוּ - asher shalach-tanu): A clear acknowledgment that they fulfilled the specific directive given by Moses (and by extension, by God). The verb shalach means "to send, dispatch, commission," reinforcing their role as divinely authorized agents.
• "and indeed" (וְגַם - vegam): This conjunctive particle adds emphasis, functioning as "and also," "moreover," or "even." It introduces a confirmed aspect, suggesting this aligns with prior expectations or divine promises.
• "it flows" (זָבַת - zavat): A feminine participle from the verb zuv, "to flow, gush forth." It describes an active, continuous, and abundant outpouring. It paints a picture of inherent, natural richness, not something that requires immense human toil (like in Egypt, dependent on Nile irrigation) but is naturally bestowed.
• "with milk and honey" (חָלָב וּדְבַשׁ - chalav u'devash):
  • chalav ("milk"): Signifies abundance in livestock (cattle, goats, sheep) and lush pasturage. It implies a pastoral economy yielding ample dairy products.
  • u'devash ("and honey"): Can refer to wild bee honey but more likely in agricultural contexts, to date syrup or grape syrup (or other fruit nectars). It signifies sweet, rich, and effortless fruitfulness, especially from fruit trees and vineyards.
  • Combined, this phrase is a standard biblical idiom for supreme fertility, wealth, and prosperity—a land of unparalleled natural blessing and divine provision. It contrasts sharply with the arid wilderness or the labor-intensive agriculture of Egypt. This phrase functions as a direct confirmation of God's oft-repeated promise (e.g., Exod 3:8). It also served as a polemic against the gods of surrounding cultures who were often worshipped for rain and fertility, showing Yahweh as the sole provider of such bounty.
• "and this is its fruit" (וְזֶה פִּרְיָהּ - vezeh piryah):
  • vezeh ("and this"): A demonstrative pronoun, pointing to something physically present.
  • piryah ("its fruit"): P'ri refers to produce, yield, or fruit. This refers to the actual samples the spies brought back (grapes, pomegranates, figs, as mentioned in Num 13:23-24). This provides tangible, undeniable proof of the land's incredible bounty, visually confirming their report and reinforcing the divine promise.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "They reported to him and said": This opening sets a formal tone for the declaration, highlighting accountability to Moses and the assembly.
• "We came to the land to which you sent us": A succinct confirmation of their completed mission and obedience to Moses' (and God's) directive.
• "and indeed it flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit": This entire phrase serves as the unequivocal, verifiable, and initially positive assessment. It validates God's characterization of Canaan and presents concrete proof, inviting the people to trust in His promise. The sensory language ("flows with milk and honey") and tangible evidence ("this is its fruit") work in tandem to convey an irresistible picture of abundance.

Numbers 13 27 Bonus section

• The phrase "flowing with milk and honey" appears 20 times in the Pentateuch, emphasizing its critical importance as the primary divine descriptor for the Promised Land and the ultimate blessing for Israel's faithfulness to the covenant.
• The act of bringing back a literal cluster of grapes needing two men to carry (from the Valley of Eshcol, Num 13:23-24) signifies the extraordinary nature of Canaan's fertility, not just general productivity. It highlights an over-abundance that went beyond mere subsistence.
• While accurate and positive, this statement sets a poignant contrast with the subsequent verses (Num 13:28-29), where the focus shifts from the land's goodness to the formidable nature of its inhabitants. This demonstrates that truth itself can be twisted when mixed with fear and lack of faith.

Numbers 13 27 Commentary

Numbers 13:27 stands as a powerful testament to the accurate fulfillment of God's covenant promises. The spies' initial declaration directly affirms that Canaan is exactly as Yahweh had described it for generations – "a land flowing with milk and honey." This descriptor is not mere poetic flourish; it embodies ultimate agricultural abundance and prosperity in the ancient Near East, signifying a life of sustenance, ease, and blessing directly from God's hand. The physical display of the colossal fruit, specifically the cluster of grapes so large it required two men to carry, transformed an abstract promise into a vivid, undeniable reality. This visual proof was intended to build the Israelites' faith and courage for the imminent conquest. Tragically, this positive report, anchored in truth and tangible evidence, immediately precedes the fear-driven dissent of the ten spies (v. 28-29) which ultimately led to forty years of wilderness wandering. The verse thus captures the pristine, positive reality of God's provision before human faithlessness overshadowed it, making it a critical point in Israel's history of trust and disobedience.