Numbers 32:9
For when they went up unto the valley of Eshcol, and saw the land, they discouraged the heart of the children of Israel, that they should not go into the land which the LORD had given them.
Original Language Analysis
וַֽיַּעֲל֞וּ
For when they went up
H5927
וַֽיַּעֲל֞וּ
For when they went up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
1 of 20
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
2 of 20
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
נַ֣חַל
unto the valley
H5158
נַ֣חַל
unto the valley
Strong's:
H5158
Word #:
3 of 20
a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)
אֶשְׁכּ֗וֹל
of Eshcol
H812
אֶשְׁכּ֗וֹל
of Eshcol
Strong's:
H812
Word #:
4 of 20
eshcol, the name of an amorite, also of a valley in palestine
וַיִּרְאוּ֙
and saw
H7200
וַיִּרְאוּ֙
and saw
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
5 of 20
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וַיָּנִ֕יאוּ
they discouraged
H5106
וַיָּנִ֕יאוּ
they discouraged
Strong's:
H5106
Word #:
8 of 20
to refuse, forbid, dissuade, or neutralize
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לֵ֖ב
the heart
H3820
לֵ֖ב
the heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
10 of 20
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
בְּנֵ֣י
of the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
11 of 20
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
12 of 20
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לְבִלְתִּי
H1115
לְבִלְתִּי
Strong's:
H1115
Word #:
13 of 20
properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n
בֹא֙
that they should not go
H935
בֹא֙
that they should not go
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
14 of 20
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
17 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Historical Context
The Eshcol valley lay near Hebron in Judah's hill country (Numbers 13:22-23). The ten spies' evil report (Numbers 13:32) led to national rebellion and divine judgment: that entire generation died in the wilderness except Joshua and Caleb (Numbers 14:29-30).
Questions for Reflection
- How do your life choices—especially decisions to settle for less than God's best—affect others' faith?
- What's the difference between legitimate caution and discouraging unbelief?
- When have you been an 'Eshcol spy'—seeing God's blessing yet spreading despair rather than faith?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
They went up unto the valley of Eshcol, and saw the land (עַד־נַחַל אֶשְׁכּוֹל וַיִּרְאוּ אֶת־הָאָרֶץ)—Eshcol means 'cluster,' named for the enormous grape cluster the spies carried back (Numbers 13:23), visual proof of Canaan's richness. Yet seeing God's provision led to opposite conclusions: Joshua/Caleb saw divine bounty; the ten spies saw unconquerable danger. They discouraged the heart of the children of Israel (וַיְנִיאוּ אֶת־לֵב בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל, vayeni'u)—the verb means 'to dishearten/frustrate,' causing corporate despair.
Moses' accusation cuts deep: Gad and Reuben's request will produce the same result—that they should not go into the land which the LORD had given them. Individual choice becomes corporate catastrophe. Their cattle-focused pragmatism could infect the entire nation with doubt about conquering Canaan. This reveals how personal decisions in God's people always carry communal consequences. Selfish choices discourage the faithful.