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Numbers 13:31 But the men who had gone up with him replied, "We cannot go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are!"
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Numbers 13:31 But the men who had gone up with him replied, "We cannot go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are!"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/13-31.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/04_Num_13_31.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 13:31 - The Reports of the Spies" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But the men who had gone up with him replied, We cannot go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are!" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/numbers/13-31.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/numbers/13-31.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/numbers/">Numbers</a> > <a href="/numbers/13.htm">Chapter 13</a> > Verse 31</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad11.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/numbers/13-30.htm" title="Numbers 13:30">◄</a> Numbers 13:31 <a href="/numbers/13-32.htm" title="Numbers 13:32">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/numbers/13.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter"> (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/numbers/13.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/numbers/13.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But the other men who had explored the land with him disagreed. “We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/13.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Then the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/13.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But the men who had gone up with him replied, “We cannot go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/13.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they <i>are</i> stronger than we.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/13.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they <i>are</i> stronger than we.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/13.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, because they are too strong for us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/13.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are too strong for us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/13.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are too strong for us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/13.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are too strong for us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/13.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people [of Canaan], for they are too strong for us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/13.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But the men who had gone up with him responded, “We can’t attack the people because they are stronger than we are! ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/13.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But the men who had gone up with him responded, “We can’t go up against the people because they are stronger than we are!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/13.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But the men that went up with him said, We are not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/13.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But the other men replied, "Those people are much too strong for us." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/13.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/13.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />But the men who had gone with him said, "We can't attack those people! They're too strong for us!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/13.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />But the men who had gone with Caleb said, "No, we are not strong enough to attack them; the people there are more powerful than we are." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/13.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"We can't attack those people," the men who were with him said, "because they're too strong compared to us."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/13.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But the men who had gone up with him replied, ?We cannot go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are!?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/13.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But the men who had gone up with him said, "We are not able to go up against these people, because they are stronger than we are!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/13.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But the men who went up with him said, "We aren't able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/13.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But the men that went up with him said, We are not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/13.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But the men who went up with him said, “We aren’t able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/13.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the men who have gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for it [is] stronger than we”;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/13.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the men who have gone up with him said, 'We are not able to go up against the people, for it is stronger than we;'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/13.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the men who went with him said, We shall not be able to go up against the people, for they are strong above us.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/13.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But the others, that had been with him, said: No, we are not able to go up to this people, because they are stronger than we. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/13.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 13:32> Yet truly, the others, who had been with him, were saying, “By no means are we able to ascend to this people, because they are stronger than we are.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/13.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But the men who had gone up with him said, “We cannot attack these people; they are too strong for us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/13.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against this people, for they are stronger than we.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/13.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But the men who went up with him said, We are not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/13.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the men who went up with him were saying, “We cannot go up against the people because it is stronger than we.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/13.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />But the men that went up with him said: 'We are not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/13.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />But the men that went up together with him said, We will not go up, for we shall not by any means be able to go up against the nation, for it is much stronger than we.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/13-31.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=4221" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/numbers/13.htm">The Reports of the Spies</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">30</span>Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “We must go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly conquer it!” <span class="reftext">31</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/582.htm" title="582: wə·hā·’ă·nā·šîm (Conj-w, Art:: N-mp) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general.">But the men</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">who</a> <a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: ‘ā·lū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">had gone up</a> <a href="/hebrew/5973.htm" title="5973: ‘im·mōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- From amam; adverb or preposition, with, in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix.">with him</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mə·rū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">replied,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">“We cannot</a> <a href="/hebrew/3201.htm" title="3201: nū·ḵal (V-Qal-Imperf-1cp) -- To be able, have power. Or yakowl; a primitive root; to be able, literally or morally."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: la·‘ă·lō·wṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">go up</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">against</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">the people,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">they</a> <a href="/hebrew/2389.htm" title="2389: ḥā·zāq (Adj-ms) -- Strong, stout, mighty. From chazaq; strong.">are stronger</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: mim·men·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">than we are!”</a> </span><span class="reftext">32</span>So they gave the Israelites a bad report about the land that they had spied out: “The land we explored devours its inhabitants, and all the people we saw there are great in stature.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/1-28.htm">Deuteronomy 1:28</a></span><br />Where can we go? Our brothers have made our hearts melt, saying: ‘The people are larger and taller than we are; the cities are large, with walls up to the heavens. We even saw the descendants of the Anakim there.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/14-8.htm">Joshua 14:8</a></span><br />Although my brothers who went with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear, I remained loyal to the LORD my God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/9-1.htm">Deuteronomy 9:1-2</a></span><br />Hear, O Israel: Today you are about to cross the Jordan to go in and dispossess nations greater and stronger than you, with large cities fortified to the heavens. / The people are strong and tall, the descendants of the Anakim. You know about them, and you have heard it said, “Who can stand up to the sons of Anak?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/2-9.htm">Joshua 2:9-11</a></span><br />and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this land and that the fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who dwell in the land are melting in fear of you. / For we have heard how the LORD dried up the waters of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites across the Jordan, whom you devoted to destruction. / When we heard this, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in the heavens above and on the earth below.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/3-19.htm">Hebrews 3:19</a></span><br />So we see that it was because of their unbelief that they were unable to enter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/7-17.htm">Deuteronomy 7:17-19</a></span><br />You may say in your heart, “These nations are greater than we are; how can we drive them out?” / But do not be afraid of them. Be sure to remember what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and all Egypt: / the great trials that you saw, the signs and wonders, and the mighty hand and outstretched arm by which the LORD your God brought you out. The LORD your God will do the same to all the peoples you now fear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/11-21.htm">Joshua 11:21-22</a></span><br />At that time Joshua proceeded to eliminate the Anakim from the hill country of Hebron, Debir, and Anab, and from all the hill country of Judah and of Israel. Joshua devoted them to destruction, along with their cities. / No Anakim were left in the land of the Israelites; only in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod did any survive.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/106-24.htm">Psalm 106:24-25</a></span><br />They despised the pleasant land; they did not believe His promise. / They grumbled in their tents and did not listen to the voice of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/4-1.htm">Hebrews 4:1-2</a></span><br />Therefore, while the promise of entering His rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be deemed to have fallen short of it. / For we also received the good news just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, since they did not share the faith of those who comprehended it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/31-6.htm">Deuteronomy 31:6-8</a></span><br />Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” / Then Moses called for Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you will go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their fathers to give them, and you shall give it to them as an inheritance. / The LORD Himself goes before you; He will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/15-14.htm">Joshua 15:14</a></span><br />And Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak—the descendants of Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/17-33.htm">1 Samuel 17:33</a></span><br />But Saul replied, “You cannot go out against this Philistine to fight him. You are just a boy, and he has been a warrior from his youth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/9-17.htm">Nehemiah 9:17</a></span><br />They refused to listen and failed to remember the wonders You performed among them. They stiffened their necks and appointed a leader to return them to their bondage in Egypt. But You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in loving devotion, and You did not forsake them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/17-20.htm">Matthew 17:20</a></span><br />“Because you have so little faith,” He answered. “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-10.htm">1 Corinthians 10:10</a></span><br />And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/32-9.htm">Numbers 32:9</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/1-28.htm">Deuteronomy 1:28</a></b></br> Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people <i>is</i> greater and taller than we; the cities <i>are</i> great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/14-8.htm">Joshua 14:8</a></b></br> Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/13-30.htm">Able</a> <a href="/genesis/49-19.htm">Attack</a> <a href="/numbers/13-28.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/exodus/17-11.htm">Stronger</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/14-16.htm">Able</a> <a href="/numbers/20-18.htm">Attack</a> <a href="/numbers/20-20.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/numbers/14-12.htm">Stronger</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 13</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/13-1.htm">The names of the men who were sent to search the land</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/13-17.htm">Their instructions</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/13-21.htm">Their acts</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/13-26.htm">Their relation</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/13.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/numbers/13.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>But the men who had gone up with him replied</b><br>This phrase refers to the group of Israelite spies sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan. The "men" are the ten spies who accompanied Joshua and Caleb. Their report contrasts with the faith-filled perspective of Joshua and Caleb. This reflects a recurring theme in the Bible where a minority stands firm in faith against the majority's fear or disbelief, as seen in the stories of Noah and Elijah.<p><b>We cannot go up against the people</b><br>The spies express their lack of faith and fear of the Canaanites. This statement reveals a failure to trust in God's promise to give Israel the land. Historically, the Canaanites were known for their fortified cities and warrior culture, which could have intimidated the Israelites. This lack of faith is a recurring issue for the Israelites, as seen in their complaints and rebellions throughout the wilderness journey.<p><b>for they are stronger than we are!</b><br>The spies' assessment is based on human perspective rather than divine assurance. The Canaanites were indeed formidable, with giants like the Anakim among them, as mentioned in other parts of Scripture. However, the Israelites' fear overlooks God's power and past deliverances, such as the Exodus from Egypt. This phrase highlights the tension between walking by sight versus walking by faith, a theme echoed in the New Testament, particularly in <a href="/2_corinthians/5-7.htm">2 Corinthians 5:7</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_spies.htm">The Spies</a></b><br>Twelve men, one from each tribe of Israel, were sent by Moses to scout the land of Canaan. They were tasked with assessing the land and its inhabitants.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/c/caleb.htm">Caleb</a></b><br>One of the twelve spies, Caleb was from the tribe of Judah. He was one of the two spies who believed that Israel could conquer the land with God's help.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_people_of_canaan.htm">The People of Canaan</a></b><br>The inhabitants of the land that God promised to the Israelites. They were perceived as strong and formidable by the majority of the spies.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, who were on the brink of entering the Promised Land after their exodus from Egypt.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader of the Israelites, who sent the spies into Canaan to bring back a report on the land and its people.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_vs._fear.htm">Faith vs. Fear</a></b><br>The report of the ten spies highlights the struggle between faith in God's promises and fear of earthly challenges. Believers are called to trust in God's power rather than be overwhelmed by obstacles.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_influence.htm">The Power of Influence</a></b><br>The negative report of the ten spies influenced the entire community, leading to widespread fear and rebellion. This teaches the importance of surrounding ourselves with faith-filled individuals and being mindful of the influence we have on others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_promises_require_action.htm">God's Promises Require Action</a></b><br>While God promised the land to the Israelites, they were required to take action in faith. Similarly, believers must act on God's promises, trusting in His strength rather than their own.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_unbelief.htm">Consequences of Unbelief</a></b><br>The Israelites' lack of faith led to a prolonged journey in the wilderness. This serves as a warning about the spiritual consequences of unbelief and disobedience.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_13.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 13</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_key_events_in_joshua's_life.htm">What are key events in Joshua's life?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_joshua_and_caleb's_story_important.htm">What is the significance of Joshua and Caleb's story?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/could_a_nation_want_egypt_after_miracles.htm">In Numbers 14:2, how plausible is it that a whole nation would suddenly wish to return to Egypt after seeing so many miraculous events? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_fake_news.htm">What defines fake news?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/13.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 31.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For they are stronger than we.</span> In point of numbers the enormous superiority of the Israelites over any combination likely to oppose them must have been evident to the most cowardly. But the existence of numerous walled and fortified towns was (apart from Divine aid) an almost insuperable obstacle to a people wholly ignorant of artillery or of siege operations; and the presence of giants was exceedingly terrifying in an age when battles were a series of personal encounters (cf. <a href="/1_samuel/17-11.htm">1 Samuel 17:11, 24</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/13-31.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">But the men</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהָ֨אֲנָשִׁ֜ים</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hā·’ă·nā·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁר־</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had gone up</span><br /><span class="heb">עָל֤וּ</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5927.htm">Strong's 5927: </a> </span><span class="str2">To ascend, in, actively</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with him</span><br /><span class="heb">עִמּוֹ֙</span> <span class="translit">(‘im·mōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5973.htm">Strong's 5973: </a> </span><span class="str2">With, equally with</span><br /><br /><span class="word">replied,</span><br /><span class="heb">אָֽמְר֔וּ</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·mə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“We cannot</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">go up</span><br /><span class="heb">לַעֲל֣וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(la·‘ă·lō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5927.htm">Strong's 5927: </a> </span><span class="str2">To ascend, in, actively</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the people,</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעָ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they</span><br /><span class="heb">ה֖וּא</span> <span class="translit">(hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are stronger</span><br /><span class="heb">חָזָ֥ק</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·zāq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2389.htm">Strong's 2389: </a> </span><span class="str2">Strong, stout, mighty</span><br /><br /><span class="word">than we are!”</span><br /><span class="heb">מִמֶּֽנּוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(mim·men·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> </span><span class="str2">A part of, from, out of</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/13-31.htm">Numbers 13:31 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/13-31.htm">Numbers 13:31 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/13-31.htm">Numbers 13:31 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/13-31.htm">Numbers 13:31 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/13-31.htm">Numbers 13:31 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/13-31.htm">Numbers 13:31 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/13-31.htm">Numbers 13:31 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/13-31.htm">Numbers 13:31 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/13-31.htm">Numbers 13:31 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/13-31.htm">Numbers 13:31 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/13-31.htm">OT Law: Numbers 13:31 But the men who went up (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/13-30.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 13:30"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 13:30" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/13-32.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 13:32"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 13:32" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>