Numbers 13:32
And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature.
Original Language Analysis
וַיֹּצִ֜יאוּ
And they brought up
H3318
וַיֹּצִ֜יאוּ
And they brought up
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
1 of 27
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לָת֣וּר
to search
H8446
לָת֣וּר
to search
Strong's:
H8446
Word #:
5 of 27
to meander (causatively, guide) about, especially for trade or reconnoitring
אֹתָ֔הּ
H853
אֹתָ֔הּ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּנֵ֥י
unto the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֥י
unto the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
8 of 27
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
9 of 27
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֲשֶׁר֩
H834
אֲשֶׁר֩
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָבַ֨רְנוּ
through which we have gone
H5674
עָבַ֨רְנוּ
through which we have gone
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
13 of 27
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
לָת֣וּר
to search
H8446
לָת֣וּר
to search
Strong's:
H8446
Word #:
15 of 27
to meander (causatively, guide) about, especially for trade or reconnoitring
אֹתָ֗הּ
H853
אֹתָ֗הּ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יֽוֹשְׁבֶ֙יהָ֙
the inhabitants
H3427
יֽוֹשְׁבֶ֙יהָ֙
the inhabitants
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
19 of 27
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
הִ֔וא
H1931
הִ֔וא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
20 of 27
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
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
21 of 27
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעָ֛ם
thereof and all the people
H5971
הָעָ֛ם
thereof and all the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
22 of 27
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
23 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
רָאִ֥ינוּ
that we saw
H7200
רָאִ֥ינוּ
that we saw
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
24 of 27
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
Cross References
Amos 2:9Yet destroyed I the Amorite before them, whose height was like the height of the cedars, and he was strong as the oaks; yet I destroyed his fruit from above, and his roots from beneath.Matthew 23:13But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
Historical Context
The phrase 'eateth up inhabitants' may refer to the constant warfare between Canaanite city-states, or possibly to difficult agricultural conditions in some regions. Regardless, their negative spin contradicted God's promise.
Questions for Reflection
- How does fear cause you to misrepresent or exaggerate difficulties?
- In what ways might your negative reports about God's calling discourage others from faith?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The ten spies brought an 'evil report' (Hebrew 'dibbah', meaning slander or whispering). They slandered the land God called good, claiming 'it is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof.' This contradicted their earlier testimony of its abundance, showing how fear distorts truth. Their words constituted rebellion against God Himself, not mere military timidity.