Numbers 13 28

Numbers 13:28 kjv

Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there.

Numbers 13:28 nkjv

Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there.

Numbers 13:28 niv

But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there.

Numbers 13:28 esv

However, the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. And besides, we saw the descendants of Anak there.

Numbers 13:28 nlt

But the people living there are powerful, and their towns are large and fortified. We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak!

Numbers 13 verses

Numbers 13 28 Meaning

Numbers 13:28 encapsulates the fearful report of the ten spies sent to scout the land of Canaan. While they affirmed the land's bounty (as stated in verse 27), this verse immediately pivots to their negative assessment, highlighting overwhelming obstacles from a purely human perspective. It describes the land's inhabitants as strong and formidable, dwelling in great, heavily fortified cities. Most critically, it mentions the sight of the Anakim, a group perceived as giants, instilling deep dread and reinforcing the spies' belief that conquest was impossible. This verse marks a turning point, expressing profound unbelief in God's power to fulfill His promises despite His past miraculous interventions.

Numbers 13 28 Context

Numbers chapter 13 begins with the LORD commanding Moses to send out twelve men, one from each ancestral tribe, to scout the land of Canaan which God promised to give to the Israelites. Moses complies, and these men spend forty days exploring the land, ultimately bringing back some of its fruits as evidence of its bounty (Num 13:27). This immediate preceding verse indeed confirms the land is "flowing with milk and honey." However, verse 28 immediately introduces a crucial shift, presenting the spies' negative interpretation of what they saw. It marks the start of the rebellious report of ten of the spies, which contrasts sharply with the faithful outlook of Caleb and Joshua. This fear-filled report leads directly into Numbers 14, where the entire congregation rebels against God and Moses, leading to divine judgment: the 40-year wandering in the wilderness, preventing that generation from entering the promised land. Historically, the Israelites were at Kadesh-Barnea, a significant waypoint on the cusp of entering Canaan, a pivotal moment testing their faith and obedience. The cultural context reflects the realities of fortified cities in the ancient Near East and the very real human fear inspired by formidable, large inhabitants like the Anakim.

Numbers 13 28 Word analysis

• Nevertheless (אֶ֚פֶס - ‘eppes):

  • Literally means "only," "however," "but."
  • Significance: Acts as a powerful contrasting conjunction. It abruptly dismisses the positive observations (the land's richness) of the preceding verse and introduces the severe reservations that defined the spies' negative report. It signals a fatal qualification driven by human fear.

• the people (הָעָ֗ם - hā‘ām):

  • Refers specifically to the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites and other indigenous groups.
  • Significance: Their focus immediately shifts from the land's potential to the perceived strength of its occupants, betraying a fear-driven mindset.

• are strong (עַז - ‘az):

  • Hebrew root denotes "strong," "fierce," "mighty," "violent."
  • Significance: It's a word often used to describe formidable power, sometimes even divine power (Ps 24:8). Here, it portrays the enemies as overwhelming, implying their invincibility from a human perspective.

• who dwell in the land (יֹשֵׁב בָּאָ֙רֶץ֙ - yoshēḇ bā’āreṣ):

  • Emphasizes the settled nature of the inhabitants.
  • Significance: They are not nomadic but established, indicating their deep roots, stability, and presumed preparedness to defend their territory, which further intimidates the Israelites.

• and the cities (וְהֶעָרִ֗ים - wəhe‘ārîm):

  • Refers to the urban centers of Canaan.
  • Significance: These are key points of defense and governance. Capturing them was essential for conquest, and their strength was a major concern.

• are fortified (בְצֻרֹ֣ת - bəṣurōt):

  • Hebrew implies "walled," "impenetrable," "inaccessible."
  • Significance: Denotes cities with strong defensive walls, making them extremely difficult to besiege or capture in ancient warfare. This observation was factually accurate but became a source of despair rather than a challenge for God's power.

• and very large (גְּדֹלֹ֖ת מְאֹ֣ד - gəḏōlōṯ mĕ’ōḏ):

  • "Great" (גְּדֹלֹת) and "exceedingly" (מְאֹד).
  • Significance: Not only were the cities fortified, but their immense size made them even more daunting. This amplified the perceived impossibility of the task.

• moreover (וְגַם֙ - wəḡam):

  • "And also," "furthermore."
  • Significance: Adds another terrifying observation, compounding the fear. It's the "worst part" of their report, sealed by the presence of the Anakim.

• we saw (רָאִ֖ינוּ - rā’înu):

  • Simple past tense, first person plural.
  • Significance: Underscores that this was a direct observation, lending credence to their frightening claims in the minds of the people. It grounds their fear in what they "saw" with their eyes, as opposed to what God had promised.

• the descendants of Anak there (יְלִ֣ידֵי הָעֲנָ֑ק שָֽׁם׃ - yəliḏê hā‘ănāq šām):

  • Anakim: A specific group known for their great stature and perceived giant-like qualities (Num 13:33, Deut 2:10-11).
  • Significance: The Anakim were a symbol of insurmountable strength and terrifying power in the ancient mind. Their presence served as the ultimate proof to the spies that the land was unconquerable, leading them to exclaim, "We were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight" (Num 13:33). They represent the pinnacle of their fearful assessment.

Numbers 13 28 Bonus section

The mention of the Anakim in Numbers 13:28 is especially significant not just for their size, but because it brings to mind the pre-Flood narrative of Nephilim (Gen 6:4), creating a subconscious or overt link to ancient tales of superhuman, terrifying beings. While the Anakim are not definitively equated with the Nephilim, their description as exceptionally tall and formidable played into existing fears and myths within the ancient world, magnifying the spies' and the people's apprehension. The fact that Caleb later, through faith, specifically asked for and successfully conquered Hebron, the stronghold of the Anakim (Jos 14:12-15), serves as a powerful counter-narrative and demonstration that God's faithful servants can overcome even the most daunting, "giant" challenges when empowered by Him. This historical victory profoundly refutes the fear and unbelief expressed in Numbers 13:28.

Numbers 13 28 Commentary

Numbers 13:28 is a concise yet profoundly pivotal verse that lays bare the spiritual failure of ten of the twelve spies and, by extension, the congregation. Following their confirmation of the land's incredible fertility, this verse delivers the crushing blow of doubt. The sequence of observations—strong people, fortified and immense cities, and the Anakim—reveals a report based solely on human strength, military logistics, and fear, entirely disregarding God's previous miracles and explicit promises. The crucial "nevertheless" acts as a stark rejection of faith, stating that while the land is good, the obstacles are insurmountable for mere mortals. The focus shifts from God's promise of the land to man's assessment of its conquest. The Anakim, described as "giants" elsewhere, are presented as the ultimate, unchallengeable human adversary, causing a debilitating "grasshopper complex" among the Israelites. This fear of perceived giants overshadows the infinite power of God. The verse doesn't reflect objective reality regarding God's ability but rather the spies' subjective terror, which subsequently poisoned the faith of the entire nation and led to severe consequences. It stands as a stark biblical example of how human perception and fear can negate divine promise and prevent believers from inheriting their blessings.

• Practical Usage Example: When facing a challenging goal (a new job, difficult ministry, or personal struggle) that seems too big or "giant-like," are we assessing it solely by our strength and the "fortified cities" of opposition, or by trusting in God's power who is with us?