Deuteronomy 1:25

Authorized King James Version

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And they took of the fruit of the land in their hands, and brought it down unto us, and brought us word again, and said, It is a good land which the LORD our God doth give us.

Original Language Analysis

וַיִּקְח֤וּ And they took H3947
וַיִּקְח֤וּ And they took
Strong's: H3947
Word #: 1 of 17
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
בְיָדָם֙ in their hands H3027
בְיָדָם֙ in their hands
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 2 of 17
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
מִפְּרִ֣י of the fruit H6529
מִפְּרִ֣י of the fruit
Strong's: H6529
Word #: 3 of 17
fruit (literally or figuratively)
הָאָ֔רֶץ land H776
הָאָ֔רֶץ land
Strong's: H776
Word #: 4 of 17
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
וַיּוֹרִ֖דוּ and brought it down H3381
וַיּוֹרִ֖דוּ and brought it down
Strong's: H3381
Word #: 5 of 17
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
אֵלֵ֑ינוּ H413
אֵלֵ֑ינוּ
Strong's: H413
Word #: 6 of 17
near, with or among; often in general, to
וַיָּשִׁ֨בוּ again H7725
וַיָּשִׁ֨בוּ again
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 7 of 17
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
אֹתָ֤נוּ H853
אֹתָ֤נוּ
Strong's: H853
Word #: 8 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דָבָר֙ us word H1697
דָבָר֙ us word
Strong's: H1697
Word #: 9 of 17
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ and said H559
וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ and said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 10 of 17
to say (used with great latitude)
טוֹבָ֣ה It is a good H2896
טוֹבָ֣ה It is a good
Strong's: H2896
Word #: 11 of 17
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
הָאָ֔רֶץ land H776
הָאָ֔רֶץ land
Strong's: H776
Word #: 12 of 17
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 13 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֥ה which the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֥ה which the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 14 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ our God H430
אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ our God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 15 of 17
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
נֹתֵ֥ן doth give H5414
נֹתֵ֥ן doth give
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 16 of 17
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לָֽנוּ׃ H0
לָֽנוּ׃
Strong's: H0
Word #: 17 of 17

Analysis & Commentary

The spies' return with fruit demonstrated the land's literal fruitfulness, yet their report would focus on obstacles rather than opportunities. 'They took of the fruit of the land in their hands' shows they possessed physical evidence but lacked spiritual vision. Material proof without faith perspective leads to fear rather than confidence—what we hold in our hands matters less than what we hold in our hearts.

Historical Context

The fruit brought back became both testimony and indictment: testimony to God's truthfulness about the land's goodness, indictment of Israel's refusal to trust despite evidence. This physical reminder couldn't overcome spiritual unbelief rooted in fear of the inhabitants.

Questions for Reflection

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