Numbers 13:22
And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּֽעֲל֣וּ
And they ascended
H5927
וַיַּֽעֲל֣וּ
And they ascended
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
1 of 18
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
בַנֶּגֶב֮
by the south
H5045
בַנֶּגֶב֮
by the south
Strong's:
H5045
Word #:
2 of 18
the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
4 of 18
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
וְשָׁ֤ם
H8033
אֲחִימַן֙
where Ahiman
H289
אֲחִימַן֙
where Ahiman
Strong's:
H289
Word #:
7 of 18
achiman, the name of an anakite and of an israelite
שֶׁ֤בַע
seven
H7651
שֶׁ֤בַע
seven
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
13 of 18
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
Cross References
Psalms 78:43How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan:Psalms 78:12Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.Isaiah 19:11Surely the princes of Zoan are fools, the counsel of the wise counsellors of Pharaoh is become brutish: how say ye unto Pharaoh, I am the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings?Isaiah 30:4For his princes were at Zoan, and his ambassadors came to Hanes.Judges 1:10And Judah went against the Canaanites that dwelt in Hebron: (now the name of Hebron before was Kirjath-arba:) and they slew Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai.
Historical Context
Hebron was founded seven years before Egypt's Zoan (Tanis), making it ancient even then. The Anakim were descendants of Anak, renowned for their great stature (Deuteronomy 9:2). Caleb would later conquer this very city (Joshua 14:12-15), demonstrating that God's promises outlast even the most formidable obstacles.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'giants' in your life seem to block God's promises from being fulfilled?
- How does understanding God's past faithfulness strengthen faith for present impossibilities?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The spies reached Hebron, where the giant Anakim dwelt. Hebron's association with Abraham (Genesis 13:18) made its occupation by giants particularly significant—the land promised to Abraham now seemed impossible to possess. Yet this very difficulty was designed to magnify God's faithfulness when He delivered it to His people.