Numbers 14:8
If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey.
Original Language Analysis
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 17
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
חָפֵ֥ץ
delight
H2654
חָפֵ֥ץ
delight
Strong's:
H2654
Word #:
2 of 17
properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire
יְהוָ֔ה
If the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
If the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְהֵבִ֤יא
in us then he will bring
H935
וְהֵבִ֤יא
in us then he will bring
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
5 of 17
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אֹתָ֙נוּ֙
H853
אֹתָ֙נוּ֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וּנְתָנָ֖הּ
and give
H5414
וּנְתָנָ֖הּ
and give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
10 of 17
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הִ֛וא
H1931
הִ֛וא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
14 of 17
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
זָבַ֥ת
which floweth
H2100
זָבַ֥ת
which floweth
Strong's:
H2100
Word #:
15 of 17
to flow freely (as water), i.e., (specifically) to have a (sexual) flux; figuratively, to waste away; also to overflow
Cross References
2 Samuel 22:20He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me.Deuteronomy 10:15Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day.Isaiah 62:4Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzi-bah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.Psalms 22:8He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.Romans 8:31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?Numbers 13:27And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it.1 Kings 10:9Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice.Jeremiah 32:41Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul.Zephaniah 3:17The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.Exodus 3:8And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
Historical Context
The phrase 'land that floweth with milk and honey' echoes God's original promise to Moses (Exodus 3:8), creating continuity between divine promise and present opportunity. Joshua and Caleb's words reminded Israel that they faced not uncertainty but the fulfillment of what God had guaranteed.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding God's delight in His people strengthen faith for impossible situations?
- Where have you substituted self-confidence for God-confidence?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The condition 'If the LORD delight in us' does not express doubt but emphasizes God's sovereign pleasure as the basis for blessing. Joshua and Caleb understood that possession of Canaan depended not on Israel's strength but on God's covenantal love and commitment. This God-centered perspective enabled them to face giants with confidence.