Numbers 13:33
And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.
Original Language Analysis
וְשָׁ֣ם
H8033
רָאִ֗ינוּ
And there we saw
H7200
רָאִ֗ינוּ
And there we saw
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
2 of 14
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּנֵ֥י
the sons
H1121
בְּנֵ֥י
the sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
5 of 14
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
7 of 14
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
וַנְּהִ֤י
H1961
וַנְּהִ֤י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
9 of 14
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בְּעֵֽינֵיהֶֽם׃
and so we were in their sight
H5869
בְּעֵֽינֵיהֶֽם׃
and so we were in their sight
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
10 of 14
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
וְכֵ֥ן
H3651
וְכֵ֥ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
12 of 14
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
Cross References
Deuteronomy 1:28Whither 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.Isaiah 40:22It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:Genesis 6:4There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.Deuteronomy 3:11For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold, his bedstead was a bedstead of iron; is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? nine cubits was the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.Deuteronomy 9:2A people great and tall, the children of the Anakims, whom thou knowest, and of whom thou hast heard say, Who can stand before the children of Anak!1 Samuel 17:42And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.1 Chronicles 11:23And he slew an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian's hand was a spear like a weaver's beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.Deuteronomy 2:10The Emims dwelt therein in times past, a people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims;Numbers 13:22And 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.)
Historical Context
The Anakim were renowned for exceptional height, with later references to King Og's massive iron bed (Deuteronomy 3:11). Yet God had promised to drive them out, making their size irrelevant to faithful obedience.
Questions for Reflection
- How does wrong self-perception ('I'm just a grasshopper') contradict your identity in Christ?
- What giants in your life appear insurmountable until you remember whose you are?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The spies described themselves as 'grasshoppers' compared to the giants (Nephilim/sons of Anak). This self-perception—'so we were in our own sight'—reveals the core problem: they forgot their identity as God's covenant people. Worse, they projected their fear onto enemies: 'so we were in their sight.' Unbelief shrinks saints and magnifies enemies.