Números 13
David Guzik · Citado em PreceptAustin
Números 13
Guzik - We can even imagine when Moses first met Joshua, and asked who he was. “I’m Hoshea” [“I’m salvation”], Joshua would reply. Moses would have smiled and replied, “YaHoshea!” [“Yahweh is salvation!”]. Joshua became his name—and the name of the Messiah, who is our salvation. Jensen on Hoshea...Joshua - While Hoshea (literally, “help”) was the name on the official register, Joshua (from Jehoshua, literally, “Jehovah-help”) was the name given him by Moses (13:16b). Norman Geisler - NUMBERS 13:16—How can this passage say that Moses called Hoshea by the name Joshua since he was called Joshua in Exodus 17:9? PROBLEM: Numbers 13:16 says that Moses called Hoshea the son of Nun, Joshua. But, as early as Exodus 17:9 Joshua is referred to by that name. How can this passage say that Moses was the one to give Hoshea the name Joshua? SOLUTION: First, it must be remembered that Moses probably wrote this toward the end of the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. Although Joshua may not have been given this name until the time referred to in Numbers 13:16, it would have been natural for Moses to refer to Hoshea as Joshua while composing the final drafts of the books of the Pentateuch. Also, the point at which Moses notes the fact that he referred to Hoshea as Joshua is quite appropriate. In recording the names of the spies whom he sent into the land, Moses endeavored to make it clear that Hoshea was the very same person to whom he had frequently made reference in other parts of the Pentateuch by the name Joshua. Second, it is not necessarily the case that Hoshea was not called Joshua until this point in the process of the historical events. Perhaps it was simply the case that Hoshea was commonly known as Hoshea, but that Moses had called him Joshua from the beginning. The text does not say that Moses began to call Hoshea, Joshua at this point in time. The text simply states that Moses called Hoshea by the name Joshua. It may be significant to realize that the name Hoshea means “salvation,” while the name Joshua means “Yahweh is salvation.” (When Critics Ask) Don Fortner - Jehoshua: Jehovah is salvation When Moses changed the name of Oshea, the son of Nun, to Jehoshua, he was making a declaration. The name Jehoshua means, “Jehovah is salvation”. And that is the essence of all that is taught in the Book of God. When Moses stood before the unbelieving Children of Israel at the Red Sea, he cried, “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord”. The entire Book of Jonah is a declaration of what he said while he was yet in the whale’s belly: “Salvation is of the Lord”. David, in his psalms of praise, declares this over and over again. He sang, “The salvation of the righteous is of the Lord”. “In God is my salvation and glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God”. These were his last words, “Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire”. As this was the message of the Prophets in the Old Testament, it is the message of the Apostles in the New. “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast”. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us”. If this is the message of all the Prophets and all the Apostles who spoke for God in the past, it is the message of every preacher who speaks for God today. Any doctrine that departs from this message departs from the Scriptures, departs from the Gospel, and is heresy. All heresy has its beginning with the addition of something man does to the work of Christ. All heresy either adds to or in some way diminishes this fact: “Jehovah is salvation”. This is my doctrine. This is my hope. This is my message. “Jehovah is salvation”. The whole of the work whereby a son of Adam is delivered from the power of sin, the kingdom of darkness, the guilt of transgression, the curse of the law, and the bondage of iniquity into the glorious liberty of the sons of God is of the Lord. Salvation is God’s work alone! Numbers 13:17 When Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, he said to them, "Go up there into the Negev; then go up into the hill country. Negev: Nu 13:21,22 Ge 12:9 13:1 Jos 15:3 Jud 1:15 hill: Nu 14:40 Ge 14:10 De 1:44 Jdg 1:9,19 Numbers 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries MOSES TELLS THEM WHERE TO GO When Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, he said to them, "Go up there into the Negev - This is the southern desert of the land where rainfall averages 8–12 inches per year making it semi-arid. then go up into the hill country - This would be the land to the north. If we compare where the spies went in Nu 13:21-23 it appears that Moses also instructed them to go to the region of what we today know as Lebanon. So basically Moses is telling them to observe the whole land from south to north. FSB adds this "Refers to the central hill country of Palestine, the mountainous strip of land running from just north of the Negev to the Sea of Galilee on the western side of the Jordan River." Jensen has an interesting comment - The implication given by the situations to be observed was that if the land looked impregnable, the decision of Moses should be to forego assault. The reconnaissance report, while one of its purposes would be to indicate from what direction assault should be made (Deut. 1:22), was intended more to indicate whether assault should be made at all. This was the point of the people’s suggesting such a reconnaissance. God chose to use this situation as the terminal test of faith. He knew what the report would be—overwhelmingly fearful from a human standpoint. What God wanted to do was to face the people with the ultimate in the test of their faith: would they move on in faith into the jaws of annihilation? (Ibid) Doubt Brings Failure Numbers 13:17–32; Hebrews 3:18–19 - Croft Pentz I. THE PREVIEW—Nu 13:17–20 The people of Israel had been slaves for over four hundred years in Egypt. Now they were ready to leave Egypt and enter Canaan, the promised land. A. Command—vv. 17–18. Twelve spies were sent to spy out the land to see how many people there were. B. Characters—vv. 19–20. They were sent to see if they were good or bad people. Notice: “Be of good courage”—don’t be fearful. When God leads us, He will encourage us and help us. II. THE PARTICULARS—Nu 13:21–27 A. Faithfulness—vv. 21–25. They obeyed and went. They did not know the dangers or problems that were ahead, yet they obeyed and went. Oh, how we need obedient people today, people who will obey God’s Word! B. Faith—v. 26. Faith caused these spies to go and to search out this land. They were gone for forty days. The entire Christian life is a life of faithfully following the Lord. C. Fruit—v. 27. This was a land of milk and honey, that is, it was the best of all countries. This was the promised land, Canaan! When God tells us to do something, let us be faithful in obeying and following Him! III. THE PEOPLE—Nu 13:28–32 A. Faithless—vv. 28–29. Doubt and unbelief is sin. Remember, God can do all things! All things are possible with Him. Doubt and unbelief will lead you away from the Lord. B. Faith—v. 30. Caleb was an old man, but had faith in God that they could go in and possess the land. Only Joshua and Caleb had faith they could take the land! C. Fear—vv. 31–32. Don’t look at circumstances—have faith in God! God is not dead. God is anxious to meet our needs! IV. THE PERIL— Nu 3:18–19 A. Faithless—v. 18. They could not enter because of their unbelief. We must have faith in God to please Him (Heb. 11:6). Satan always places doubt in the minds of Christians. B. Fear—v. 19. Fear is a type of unbelief. Why fear when God will take care of us? (See Ps. 37:25; Phil. 4:19.) He promised never to leave us or forsake us (Heb. 13:5). Numbers 13:17-33 Only a Scarecrow "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." - 1 John 4:4 Like the children of Israel in today's Bible reading, Hannah Hurnard, author of "Hinds' Feet on High Places," was once paralyzed by fear. Then she heard a sermon on scarecrows that challenged her to turn her fear to faith. The preacher said, "A wise bird knows that a scarecrow is simply an advertisement. It announces that some very juicy and delicious fruit is to be had for the picking. There are scarecrows in all the best gardens… If I am wise, I too shall treat the scarecrow as though it were an invitation. Every giant in the way which makes me feel like a grasshopper is only a scarecrow beckoning me to God's richest blessings." He concluded, "Faith is a bird which loves to perch on scarecrows. All our fears are groundless." Hannah testified that this humble parable has encouraged her to walk along some frightening but fruitful pathways more times than she could number. So let us trust Him in our troubles, For He is loving, kind, and wise; And most often trials and troubles Are but blessings in disguise. -- Jarvis When you fix your eyes on God, your fears will vanish. Do You See Giants? My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land. —Numbers 14:24 Today's Scripture: Numbers 13:17-30 The 12 spies who were sent out by Moses scouted the land of Canaan for 40 days. When they returned, all but Joshua and Caleb gave this pessimistic report: “We were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight” (Num. 13:33). These faithless ones saw only difficulties and defeat. Yes, the giants were great, but wasn’t their God greater? How could they so easily forget the way God led them through the wilderness? The 10 spies who were filled with doubt died in the wilderness. We know that Joshua led the people into the Promised Land. But what about Caleb? God blessed him and brought him into the land too because he had a different spirit and followed Him wholeheartedly (14:24). Think for a moment of two balloons. One is filled with carbon dioxide and cannot rise. The other balloon is filled with helium and immediately goes up. So too, if our hearts are filled with doubts and fears, we will not be able to rise in faith to do what God wants us to do. Faith, mighty faith, the promise sees, And looks to God alone, Laughs at impossibilities, And cries, "It shall be done!" —Anon. Fear sees the obstacle; faith sees the opportunity. Numbers 13:18 "See what the land is like, and whether the people who live in it are strong or weak, whether they are few or many. Ex 3:8 Eze 34:14 Numbers 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries MOSES TELLS THEM WHAT TO LOOK FOR See what the land is like, and whether the people who live in it are strong or weak - How could they assess this? Presumably observing for fortifications (walled cities), any evidence of standing armies (like in Egypt), etc. Whether they are few or many - This would be relatively easy to assess. Numbers 13:19 "How is the land in which they live, is it good or bad? And how are the cities in which they live, are they like open camps or with fortifications? Numbers 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries MOSES TELLS THEM TO ASSESS THE LAND How is the land in which they live, is it good or bad? Now think about this question for a moment. What had God already told Moses at the burning bush about the land in Exodus 3:8+ "So I have come down to deliver them from the power of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite." In Ex 13:5+ (cf Lev 20:24+) Moses had said it would be a gift from God and "a land flowing with milk and honey." Guzik may be correct when he says "Moses’ direction to the spies was a subtle manifestation of unbelief. Did he really doubt that the land was good? Did he doubt that the land was rich? Did he doubt that there were useful forests? Did it matter if the people were strong or many, or if they lived in strongholds?" And how are the cities in which they live, are they like open camps or with fortifications Numbers 13:20 "How is the land, is it fat or lean? Are there trees in it or not? Make an effort then to get some of the fruit of the land." Now the time was the time of the first ripe grapes. BGT Numbers 13:20 καὶ τίς ἡ γῆ εἰ πίων ἢ παρειμένη εἰ ἔστιν ἐν αὐτῇ δένδρα ἢ οὔ καὶ προσκαρτερήσαντες λήμψεσθε ἀπὸ τῶν καρπῶν τῆς γῆς καὶ αἱ ἡμέραι ἡμέραι ἔαρος πρόδρομοι σταφυλῆς NET Numbers 13:20 and whether the land is rich or poor, and whether or not there are forests in it. And be brave, and bring back some of the fruit of the land." Now it was the time of year for the first ripe grapes. NLT Numbers 13:20 Is the soil fertile or poor? Are there many trees? Do your best to bring back samples of the crops you see." (It happened to be the season for harvesting the first ripe grapes.) ESV Numbers 13:20 and whether the land is rich or poor, and whether there are trees in it or not. Be of good courage and bring some of the fruit of the land." Now the time was the season of the first ripe grapes. NIV Numbers 13:20 How is the soil? Is it fertile or poor? Are there trees on it or not? Do your best to bring back some of the fruit of the land." (It was the season for the first ripe grapes.) KJV Numbers 13:20 And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be ye of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the firstripe grapes. YLT Numbers 13:20 And what the land is, whether it is fat or lean; whether there is wood in it or not; and ye have strengthened yourselves, and have taken of the fruit of the land;' and the days are days of the first-fruits of grapes. LXE Numbers 13:20 And what the land is, whether rich or poor; whether there are trees in it or no: and ye shall persevere and take of the fruits of the land: and the days were the days of spring, the forerunners of the grape. ASV Numbers 13:20 and what the land is, whether it is fat or lean, whether there is wood therein, or not. And be ye of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the first-ripe grapes. CSB Numbers 13:20 Is the land fertile or unproductive? Are there trees in it or not? Be courageous. Bring back some fruit from the land." It was the season for the first ripe grapes. NKJ Numbers 13:20 "whether the land is rich or poor; and whether there are forests there or not. Be of good courage. And bring some of the fruit of the land." Now the time was the season of the first ripe grapes. NRS Numbers 13:20 and whether the land is rich or poor, and whether there are trees in it or not. Be bold, and bring some of the fruit of the land." Now it was the season of the first ripe grapes. is it: Ne 9:25,35 Eze 34:14 make every effort: Nu 13:30,31 De 31:6-8,23 Jos 1:6,9 2:3,22,23 1Ch 22:11 Heb 13:6 first ripe: Nu 13:23,24 Mic 7:1 Numbers 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries MOSES TELLS THEM TO BRING SOME FRUIT How is the land, is it fat or lean? Are there trees in it or not? - As discussed below procurement of fruit would substantiate their verbal testimony of what they saw. Make an effort then to get some of the fruit of the land - The marginal note in the NAS make every effort has "use your strength." NET has "be brave." KJV has "be ye of good courage." NIV and NLT are probably a bit soft rendering it "do your best." The idea is strengthening oneself by summoning all their remaining strength. Why would Moses ask for the fruit of the land? Obviously he was not asking so they would have something to eat, but if they procured fruit, it would be evidence that they really had seen the land. And it would be evidence to the people that it was a fruitful land as God had described. So in a sense it would be some visual evidence to undergird their trust in the promises God had made. Make an effort (02388)(chazaq) conveys the basic meaning of to be or become strong, to make strong or strengthen and in this verse is in the Hithpael which means to strengthen oneself (to take courage 1 Sa 30:6). This is the same verb with which Moses charge Joshua to be "strong (chazaq) and courageous"(Josh 1:6, 7). The Lxx uses the verb proskartereo in Nu 13:20, which Liddell-Scott says means "to persist obstinately in." The idea is devote oneself to, to persevere. TDNT says the root verb kartereo means to be strong or to endure steadfastly. Now the time was the time of the first ripe grapes - Near the end of July. FSB has an interesting note that "This underscores the idea that the goal of the expedition is to give the people a preview of the land’s bounty and to energize them (in addition to getting them to stop complaining about food; compare Num 11)." Numbers 13:21 So they went up and spied out the land from the wilderness of Zin as far as Rehob, at Lebo-hamath. from the wilderness of Zin: The wilderness of Zin, is different from that called Sin. (Ex 16:1.) The latter was near Egypt, but the former was near Kadesh Barnea, not far from the borders of Canaan. It seems to be the valley mentioned by Burckhardt; which, under the names of El Ghor and El Araba, form a continuation of the valley of the Jordan, extending from the Dead sea to the eastern branch of the Red sea. The whole plain presents to the view an appearance of shifting sands, whose surface is broken by innumerable undulations and low hills. A few talk, tamarisk, and rethem trees grow among the sand hills; but the depth of sand precludes all vegetation of herbage. Nu 20:1 27:14 33:36 34:3,4 De 32:51 Jos 15:1 Rehob: Rehob was a city, afterwards given to the tribe of Asher, situated near mount Lebanon, at the northern extremity of the Promised Land, on the road which leads to Hamath, and west of Laish or Dan: compare Jdg 1:31; 18:28; Jos 19:28. Lebo-hamath: 2Sa 8:9 Am 6:2 Numbers 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries JOURNEY OF SPIES - Click to enlarge Holman Bible Atlas (digital book; Hardcover) Copyright © 1998 B&H Publishing Group, Used by permission, all rights reserved. One of best resources for Bible maps Please do not reproduce map on another webpage. SPIES GO ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE LAND So they went up and spied out the land from the wilderness of Zin - This is the southern edge of the land which was later identified as marking the southern border of the promised land (Nu 34:3–4; Josh 15:1). as far as Rehob - This is far north of Canaan (near Mount Hermon) and will later be part of the territory of Asher (Josh 19:28). at Lebo-hamath - This means “on the way that people go to Hamath.” "Lebo-hamath (v. 21) stood about 50 miles north of Damascus, 100 miles north of the Sea of Chinnereth (Galilee)." (Constable) FSB adds that Lebo-hamath was "A city on the Orontes River (See Hama in Wikipedia) in the northern part of the Levant. This area is later used to mark the northern extent of the kingdom of Israel (1 Ki 8:65; 2 Ki 14:25). The spies therefore surveyed the length of the land." Related Resources: What is the significance of the land of Canaan in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Why was Abraham promised land that belonged to others (Genesis 12)? | GotQuestions.org Numbers 13:22 When they had gone up into the Negev, they came to Hebron where Ahiman, Sheshai and Talmai, the descendants of Anak were. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.) Ahiman: Jos 11:21,22 15:13,14 Jud 1:10 the descendants: Nu 13:33 Hebron: Ge 13:18 23:2 Jos 14:13-15 21:13 2Sa 2:1,11 Zoan: Ps 78:12,43 Isa 19:11 30:4 Numbers 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries When they had gone up into the Negev - The preceding verse gave the account of their journey over the whole land; this section focuses on what happened in the area of Hebron, which would be the basis for the false report. (NET) Believer's Study Bible - The spies came from the south, or Negev, and journeyed to Hebron (also known as Mamre, Machpelah, and Kirjath-Arba), the home and burial place of the patriarchs. Since it was the only part of the Promised Land the patriarchs had ever possessed (cf. Gen. 13:14-18; 14:13; 23:19; 25:9; 35:27-29; 50:13), it served as a pledge of the fulfillment of God's promises. The spies, however, were evidently more impressed by the size of the city and its inhabitants (vv. 28, 31-33, note) than by its relationship to God's promises. Caleb later conquered it (Josh. 15:14). "Zoan" refers to the Egyptian city of Tanis (its Greek name), probably identified as modern San el-Hagar, a site occupied before 2,000 B.C. The "seven years" may refer to a date known to the Hebrews when the city was fortified or rebuilt. Hebron was not yet a city at the time of the patriarchs. they came to Hebron where Ahiman, Sheshai and Talmai, the descendants of Anak were - "These names are thought to be three clans that were in the Hebron area (see Josh 15:14; Judg 1:20). To call them descendants of Anak is usually taken to mean that they were large or tall people (2 Sam 21:18–22). They were ultimately driven out by Caleb." (NET) FSB - It was at Hebron that Abraham was first promised the land of Canaan—which makes the Israelites’ apprehension about entering the land all the more shameful (Num 14:1–4).
Números 13
Guzik - At that moment, Moses, and every man of faith in Israel should have cried out and said, “Nevertheless nothing! How can one say, ‘We went to the land, found it good, and God’s promise true,’ and then say, ‘Despite all this …’?” Despite God’s faithful promise, the people who dwell in the land are strong. Despite God’s faithful promise, the cities are fortified and very large. Despite God’s faithful promise, we saw the descendants of Anak [a tribe of large men] there. Despite God’s faithful promise, the Amalekites dwell … the Amorites dwell … the Canaanites dwell—all the land is taken up, there are no vacancies!
Números 13
Guzik- Significantly, two men could see the exact same sights—the same grapes, the same men, the same land, the same cities—one can come away singing in faith, and the other is filled with a sense of certain doom. Ultimately, faith or unbelief does not spring from circumstances or environment, but from our hearts, which God must change. which they had spied out, saying, "The land through which we have gone, in spying it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants; and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great size (cp Amos 2:9): Is this true? The entire land was not inhabited by the Anakin (Nephilim) so surely they must have seen some "normal" sized men. This was surely an exaggeration and motivated by fear. THOUGHT- This refusal to enter the land is a type of the believer’s refusal to claim his or her inheritance in Christ (Heb. 3–4). Instead of entering into full rest in Christ, and trusting Him for every need, doubting Christians see the problems and obstacles, and wander around restlessly, blind to their blessings. (Wiersbe) And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. -- Hebrews 11:6 Rod Mattoon - Doubt and disbelief despise the things of God. Doubt despises morality, the Word of God, decency, honesty, prayer, church, tithing, soul-winning, and Jesus Christ. When you forget God, you tend to focus on your circumstances. When you leave God out of the picture, nothing seems possible. Without God, the picture looks dark and black. This is why people say, "The grave ends it all. There is no God or Heaven." This is why they feel so hopeless. Some folks say, "Live it up!" When they do, they still feel "down" and hopeless. When you measure your life, trials, struggles, and difficulties by your own strength, you will be overwhelmed by the smallest of problems. You will sound like Israel, "We are not ABLE!" Beloved, realize that God is able even though we are not. He helps us with our battles. But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37+ Norman Geisler - NUMBERS 13:32—How could the ten spies report that the land devoured its inhabitants? PROBLEM: In Numbers 13:32, ten of the spies who had been sent by Moses reported that the land was “a land that devours its inhabitants.” However, in addition to the fact that Joshua and Caleb had reported that the land flowed with milk and honey (Num. 13:27), the spies had come back with evidence of the abundance of the land (Num. 13:26). How could the ten spies claim that the land was “a land that devours its inhabitants”? SOLUTION: It would be a misunderstanding of the text to assume that this epithet indicated that the land was actually a desolate place. The testimony of all the spies agreed upon the richness of the land in its capacity to produce food and sustain life. Rather, it was precisely because the land was so rich that the ten spies could give their pessimistic report. The fertility of the land caused many different peoples to desire to dwell in the land, which caused much blood shed between inhabitants and invaders. There is no contradiction in this statement. The land was so rich, and desired by so many different peoples, it facilitated many conflicts resulting in the inhabitants being devoured in the midst of the conflicts to own the land. (When Critics Ask) Gleason Archer - How could the Israelite spies describe Canaan as a land that devours its inhabitants (Num. 13:32) if indeed it was a fertile land of milk and honey (Num. 13)? It would be an obvious misinterpretation to take the expression in Numbers 13:32, which describes Canaan as “a land that devours its inhabitants,” as implying that it was a poverty-stricken land that could not adequately support its population. In this context it can only mean that its lush fertility (enjoying a higher rate of precipitation than it has had in recent centuries) rendered it so desirable to aggressively competing nations and tribes as to make it a center of bloody strife. As rival claimants battled one another for possession of this desirable terrain, they suffered many casualties through warfare. There is no contradiction here whatsoever. The description of Canaan as a land flowing with milk and honey occurs at least thirteen times in the Pentateuch, as well as in Joshua, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. There is absolutely no basis for interpreting the metaphor of Numbers 13:32 as relating to poverty or starvation. (NIEBD) Not Fear but Faith The Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them. Numbers 14:9 Today's Scripture: Numbers 13:25–14:9 “My husband was offered a promotion in another country, but I feared leaving our home, so he reluctantly declined the offer,” my friend shared with me. She explained how apprehension over such a big change kept her from embracing a new adventure, and that she sometimes wondered what they missed in not moving. The Israelites let their anxieties paralyze them when they were called to inhabit a rich and fertile land that flowed “with milk and honey” (Ex. 33:3). When they heard the reports of the powerful people in large cities (Num. 13:28), they started to fear. The majority of the Israelites rejected the call to enter the land. But Joshua and Caleb urged them to trust in the Lord, saying, “Do not be afraid of the people in the land” for the “Lord is with us” (14:9). Although the people there appeared large, they could trust the Lord to be with them. Loving Father, may I not let my fear stop me from following You, for I know that You will always love me and will never leave me. Fear can paralyze but faith propels us to follow God. Numbers 13:33 "There also we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak are part of the Nephilim); and we became like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight." NET Numbers 13:33 We even saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak came from the Nephilim), and we seemed liked grasshoppers both to ourselves and to them." NLT Numbers 13:33 We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that's what they thought, too!" ESV Numbers 13:33 And there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim), and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them." NIV Numbers 13:33 We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them." KJV 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. YLT Numbers 13:33 and there we saw the Nephilim, sons of Anak, of the Nephilim; and we are in our own eyes as grasshoppers; and so we were in their eyes.' LXE Numbers 13:33 And there we saw the giants; and we were before them as locusts, yea even so were we before them. ASV Numbers 13:33 And there we saw the Nephilim, the sons of Anak, who come of the Nephilim: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight. CSB Numbers 13:33 We even saw the Nephilim there-- the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim! To ourselves we seemed like grasshoppers, and we must have seemed the same to them." NKJ Numbers 13:33 "There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight." NRS Numbers 13:33 There we saw the Nephilim (the Anakites come from the Nephilim); and to ourselves we seemed like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them." saw the Nephilim: Nu 13:22 De 1:28 2:10 3:11 9:2 1Sa 17:4-7 2Sa 21:20-22 1Ch 11:23 and we became: 1Sa 17:42 Isa 40:22 Numbers 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries "LIKE GRASSHOPPERS" THE FAITHLESS TEN SEE THEMSELVES AS GRASSHOPPERS! Unbelief can really "mess with your mind." You began to see things and think things about what you see ("I am just a grasshopper") that are simply not true, especially if you are a child of the Living God by grace through faith. These ten needed the faith of another Israelite who saw the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple and was still able to declare "Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You!" (Jeremiah 32:17+). In this case the 10 faithless spies forgot that God made grasshoppers and that He was able to use their relative the locust to decimate lands! There also we saw the Nephilim - When the twelve spies went into the land of Canaan, most came back with a negative report, full of fear and discouragement. Ten spies somehow forgot that God had already promised to give them the land. What God promises, God fulfills! Instead they evaluated their chance for success in terms of their own abilities and resources. This temptation to look at circumstances from an earthly perspective is very natural-and dangerous. We have far more than our own strength to count on; we can depend on the resources and promises of Almighty God. Father, deliver us from the "grasshopper complex." Help us to see possibilities for world evangelization in light of Your completely adequate resources. NIVSB may be correct is saying that "The reference to the Nephilim seems deliberately intended to evoke fear." (the sons of Anak are part of the Nephilim) - (Joshua 11:21,22 ): Reference to Nephilim does not mean that these giants survived the Flood. The Israelites had surely heard about the Nephilim that lived before the Flood, and they identified these giants with them. (See Who were the Anakim?) Wenham writes that Nephilim were, “the demi-gods who lived on the earth before the flood (Ge. 6:4).” Ronald Allen has an interesting comment that "The use of the term Nephilim seems to be deliberately provocative of fear, a term not unlike the concept of bogeymen and hobgoblins.” (EBC) Irving Jensen - man for man, the odds were seen to be against the Israelites, because in Canaan the spies saw with their own eyes the Nephilim, who were giants or supermen. It was simply a matter of a giant against a grasshopper (13:33). The conclusion of the spies was a rational one; but because it did not reach a higher level than the human, it was a wrong conclusion. (Ed comment: It was rationale but faithless! It was the natural conclusion based on the facts, whereas Caleb's was the supernatural conclusion based upon the faithfulness of Yahweh!) THOUGHT - The ten unbelieving spies illustrate many Christians today: they have “spied out” their inheritance in Christ and have even tasted some of the fruits of His blessing; but their unbelief keeps them from entering in by faith. (Wiersbe) and we became like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight - What an interesting contrast they give. Giants and grasshoppers! Do you know what they left out? They forgot to include God! They compared themselves to the giants and saw themselves as grasshoppers. They left God out of the picture. If only they had put Him in, what a different story it would have been. Joshua and Caleb saw Israel from God’s point of view, well able to conquer the land. To the ten unbelieving spies the problem of giants was insurmountable. To the two believing spies the presence of giants was insignificant. Caleb's opinion versus ten leader's opinion! As Jensen says "The people were now faced with two opinions. They could not halt between them because the exigencies of wilderness living would forbid that. They must make a choice. Would it be on the basis of a reasonable faith in the perfect word of God, or on the basis of fallible reasoning on the temporal, mundane level?"