Numbers 13 31

Numbers 13:31 kjv

But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.

Numbers 13:31 nkjv

But 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."

Numbers 13:31 niv

But the men who had gone up with him said, "We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are."

Numbers 13:31 esv

Then 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."

Numbers 13:31 nlt

But the other men who had explored the land with him disagreed. "We can't go up against them! They are stronger than we are!"

Numbers 13 verses

Numbers 13 31 Meaning

Numbers 13:31 reveals the contrasting and faithless report of the ten spies concerning the Promised Land. Despite Caleb's encouragement, these men declared their complete inability to conquer the inhabitants of Canaan, basing their assessment on their perception of human weakness in comparison to the apparent strength of the local populace. This statement highlights a profound lack of faith in God's power and promises, effectively paralyzing the people with fear and distrust, thereby preventing them from obeying God's command to enter and possess the land He had given them.

Numbers 13 31 Context

Numbers chapter 13 begins with the Lord instructing Moses to send twelve leaders, one from each tribe, to scout the land of Canaan which He was giving to the Israelites. Their mission was to gather intelligence about the land, its people, and their fortifications. For forty days, they explored, bringing back a report that acknowledged the land's bounty, but critically differed on the feasibility of conquest. While Caleb, supported by Joshua, urged immediate advance with faith in God, the other ten spies presented a dire, fear-mongering assessment. Verse 31 specifically captures the core of their pessimistic report: their assertion of human inadequacy against a seemingly insurmountable enemy. This immediately precedes the full expression of the evil report and the subsequent rebellion and condemnation of the Israelite generation.

Numbers 13 31 Word analysis

• But (אַךְ - 'akh): This conjunction serves as a strong contrast, emphasizing the stark difference between Caleb's confident assertion (Num 13:30) and the ten spies' dissenting and fearful declaration. It signals an immediate turning point in the narrative.
• the men (הָאֲנָשִׁים - ha'anashim): Refers specifically to the other ten spies, excluding Caleb. The definite article ("the") highlights their particular role and collective agreement in bringing the negative report. They were respected leaders, making their words impactful.
• who had gone up with him (אֲשֶׁר עָלוּ עִמּוֹ - asher 'alu 'immo): Identifies these specific individuals as those who shared the scouting experience with Caleb. This implies that they all witnessed the same land and people but drew dramatically different conclusions due to their lack of faith.
• said (וַיֹּאמְרוּ - vayomeru): A decisive, clear declaration, not a timid suggestion. This indicates their firm conviction in their pessimistic view, influencing the congregation.
• "We are not able (לֹא נוּכַל - lo nuchal): The absolute negation "not" (lo) combined with "we are able" (nuchal, from yakol meaning "to be able," "to endure," "to overcome"). This is a categorical statement of helplessness and inadequacy, a direct contradiction to God's implied power and promise that they would conquer.
• to go up against (לַעֲלוֹת עַל - la'alot al): This phrase has military connotations, meaning "to ascend" or "to advance upon" or "to attack." It implies confronting and conquering the land's inhabitants, occupying their territory. It refers to the specific task God commanded.
• the people (הָעָם - ha'am): Refers to the various formidable inhabitants of Canaan, including the Anakim (mentioned in Num 13:33).
• for they are stronger than we" (כִּי־חָזָק הוּא מִמֶּנּוּ - ki-chazaq hu mimmenu): "For" (ki) introduces their justification. "Stronger" (chazaq) describes a perceived overwhelming military and physical superiority. "Than we" (mimmenu) contrasts their perceived weakness with the inhabitants' perceived strength. This justification entirely dismisses God's strength and past miraculous interventions on their behalf.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "But the men... said": This abrupt transition highlights the immediate clash of perspectives, setting the stage for the rebellion rooted in unbelief. It was a united front of dissent from a majority of respected leaders.
• "We are not able to go up against the people": This is a direct declaration of human inability, echoing a spirit of fear rather than faith. It dismisses God's prior command to "go up and possess" and ignores His promises of victory. It becomes the pivotal statement of unbelief.
• "for they are stronger than we": This provides the human, carnal rationale for their lack of faith. Their judgment was based purely on observable facts (size, fortifications, skill) rather than the omnipotence and faithfulness of God, who had already defeated far greater enemies like Egypt. It epitomizes a mindset that elevates perceived earthly challenges above divine capability.

Numbers 13 31 Bonus section

• This verse is the verbalization of the "evil report" mentioned in Num 13:32. The words spoken here fueled the congregation's fear and subsequent rebellion (Num 14).
• The contrast between Num 13:30 (Caleb's faith: "Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it") and Num 13:31 (the other spies' fear: "We are not able") powerfully illustrates the stark choice between faith in God's ability and reliance on human weakness.
• The collective nature of this statement, "the men who had gone up with him said," demonstrates the influential power of unified unbelief. Their leadership position lent authority to their disastrous assessment.
• This account underscores that while God sometimes allows challenges to test faith, human perception of insurmountable odds should always be re-evaluated through the lens of His omnipotence.

Numbers 13 31 Commentary

Numbers 13:31 marks a critical turning point in Israel's wilderness journey, encapsulating the essence of the great sin of unbelief at Kadesh-Barnea. The spies, blinded by human perception and fear, pronounced a verdict of utter incapacity based on their limited perspective: "We are not able." This statement was not a tactical assessment incorporating divine assistance, but a lament rooted in fear, focusing solely on the intimidating physical might of the Canaanites and their fortified cities.

Their fear-driven analysis, "for they are stronger than we," directly challenged God's power and faithfulness. It ignored the consistent historical evidence of God's overwhelming might displayed in the Exodus, the parting of the Red Sea, the provision of manna, and the defeat of Amalek. The spies chose to believe their own eyes and succumb to human limitations, rather than resting in God's limitless power and explicit promises. This moment foreshadows the fatal consequences for the entire generation, who, swayed by this faithless report, doubted God's ability to deliver, resulting in 40 years of wandering and death in the wilderness, save for Joshua and Caleb. The verse serves as a timeless warning that trusting in human strength and fearing perceived opposition more than trusting God leads to disobedience, spiritual paralysis, and loss of divine blessings.