Numbers 13:19
And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds;
Original Language Analysis
וּמָ֣ה
H4100
וּמָ֣ה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
1 of 19
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
הָאָ֗רֶץ
And what the land
H776
הָאָ֗רֶץ
And what the land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
2 of 19
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
3 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הוּא֙
H1931
הוּא֙
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
4 of 19
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
יוֹשֵׁ֣ב
is that they dwell in
H3427
יוֹשֵׁ֣ב
is that they dwell in
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
5 of 19
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
הֲטוֹבָ֥ה
whether it be good
H2896
הֲטוֹבָ֥ה
whether it be good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
7 of 19
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
הִ֖וא
H1931
הִ֖וא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
8 of 19
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
9 of 19
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
וּמָ֣ה
H4100
וּמָ֣ה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
11 of 19
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
הֶֽעָרִ֗ים
and what cities
H5892
הֶֽעָרִ֗ים
and what cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
12 of 19
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הוּא֙
H1931
הוּא֙
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
14 of 19
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
יוֹשֵׁ֣ב
is that they dwell in
H3427
יוֹשֵׁ֣ב
is that they dwell in
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
15 of 19
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
בָּהֵ֔נָּה
in
H2007
בָּהֵ֔נָּה
in
Strong's:
H2007
Word #:
16 of 19
themselves (often used emphatic for the copula, also in indirect relation)
הַבְּמַֽחֲנִ֖ים
whether in tents
H4264
הַבְּמַֽחֲנִ֖ים
whether in tents
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
17 of 19
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern military campaigns regularly sent scouts ahead to assess enemy strength, fortifications, and resources. Moses' instructions followed standard military wisdom while trusting in supernatural intervention, demonstrating that faith complements rather than contradicts prudence.
Questions for Reflection
- How can you honestly assess challenges while maintaining unwavering trust in God?
- Where is the line between wise planning and faithless doubt?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Moses' question 'whether they be strong or weak, few or many' reveals that proper reconnaissance involves honest assessment of obstacles. Faith is not ignorance of difficulties but trust in God despite them. The spies were to gather accurate intelligence, not determine whether God could fulfill His promise—that was already settled.