Deuteronomy 1:28
Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there.
Original Language Analysis
אָנָ֣ה׀
H575
עֹלִ֗ים
Whither shall we go up
H5927
עֹלִ֗ים
Whither shall we go up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
3 of 21
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
אַחֵינוּ֩
our brethren
H251
אַחֵינוּ֩
our brethren
Strong's:
H251
Word #:
4 of 21
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
הֵמַ֨סּוּ
have discouraged
H4549
הֵמַ֨סּוּ
have discouraged
Strong's:
H4549
Word #:
5 of 21
to liquefy; figuratively, to waste (with disease), to faint (with fatigue, fear or grief)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עַ֣ם
The people
H5971
עַ֣ם
The people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
9 of 21
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
גְּדֹלֹ֥ת
are great
H1419
גְּדֹלֹ֥ת
are great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
10 of 21
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
וָרָם֙
and taller
H7311
וָרָם֙
and taller
Strong's:
H7311
Word #:
11 of 21
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
מִמֶּ֔נּוּ
H4480
מִמֶּ֔נּוּ
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
12 of 21
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
עָרִ֛ים
than we the cities
H5892
עָרִ֛ים
than we the cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
13 of 21
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
גְּדֹלֹ֥ת
are great
H1419
גְּדֹלֹ֥ת
are great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
14 of 21
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
וּבְצוּרֹ֖ת
and walled up
H1219
וּבְצוּרֹ֖ת
and walled up
Strong's:
H1219
Word #:
15 of 21
to gather grapes; also to be isolated (i.e., inaccessible by height or fortification)
בַּשָּׁמָ֑יִם
to heaven
H8064
בַּשָּׁמָ֑יִם
to heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
16 of 21
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
וְגַם
H1571
וְגַם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
17 of 21
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
בְּנֵ֥י
the sons
H1121
בְּנֵ֥י
the sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
18 of 21
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
Cross References
Joshua 15:14And Caleb drove thence the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak.Joshua 11:22There was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of Israel: only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, there remained.Joshua 14:8Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God.Judges 1:20And they gave Hebron unto Caleb, as Moses said: and he expelled thence the three sons of Anak.
Historical Context
The Anakim were descendants of Anak, known for unusual height and strength, dwelling in fortified hill country cities. Their reputation spread fear throughout Canaan (Joshua 2:11). Yet God had already promised to drive them out (Deuteronomy 9:3), making their size irrelevant to faith.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'giants' in your life seem larger than God's promises?
- How can you guard against allowing others' fear to discourage your faith?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The rhetorical questions—'Whither shall we go up?'—express hopeless despair. The spies' report emphasized obstacles: strong people, fortified cities, giants ('Anakim'). The phrase 'our brethren have discouraged our heart' shows how faithlessness spreads, as fear is contagious. Yet the same facts that paralyzed ten spies energized Joshua and Caleb—the difference wasn't information but faith. What we focus on determines our response.