Numbers 13:31

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

וְהָ֨אֲנָשִׁ֜ים H376
וְהָ֨אֲנָשִׁ֜ים
Strong's: H376
Word #: 1 of 14
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 2 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לַֽעֲל֣וֹת that went up H5927
לַֽעֲל֣וֹת that went up
Strong's: H5927
Word #: 3 of 14
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
עִמּוֹ֙ H5973
עִמּוֹ֙
Strong's: H5973
Word #: 4 of 14
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
אָֽמְר֔וּ with him said H559
אָֽמְר֔וּ with him said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 5 of 14
to say (used with great latitude)
לֹ֥א H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 6 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נוּכַ֖ל We be not able H3201
נוּכַ֖ל We be not able
Strong's: H3201
Word #: 7 of 14
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
לַֽעֲל֣וֹת that went up H5927
לַֽעֲל֣וֹת that went up
Strong's: H5927
Word #: 8 of 14
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 9 of 14
near, with or among; often in general, to
הָעָ֑ם against the people H5971
הָעָ֑ם against the people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 10 of 14
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 11 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
חָזָ֥ק for they are stronger H2389
חָזָ֥ק for they are stronger
Strong's: H2389
Word #: 12 of 14
strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent)
ה֖וּא H1931
ה֖וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 13 of 14
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
מִמֶּֽנּוּ׃ H4480
מִמֶּֽנּוּ׃
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 14 of 14
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

Analysis & Commentary

The ten faithless spies directly contradicted Caleb: 'We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.' Their assessment was purely human calculation, ignoring God's presence and power. The comparison 'stronger than we' reveals their self-reliance—they measured Canaanite strength against their own rather than against God's omnipotence.

Historical Context

This fearful majority report triggered the rebellion of Numbers 14, resulting in forty years of wilderness wandering. Only Caleb and Joshua of this generation would enter Canaan, while the faithless perished in the desert.

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