← All chapters Numbers 13

In Our Own Sight as Grasshoppers

Twelve men are sent to look at the land, and everything that follows in the book follows from what they say when they get back. They are gone forty days — the number that becomes forty years — and return with a single cluster of grapes and a confirmation: surely it floweth with milk and honey. Then one Hebrew particle, efes ki, cancels it. Nothing in the report is false; the conclusion is what nobody asked for.

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1And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

2Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them.^↗

3And Moses by the commandment of the Lord sent them from the wilderness of Paran: all those men were heads of the children of Israel.

4And these were their names: of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur.

5Of the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat the son of Hori.

6Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.

7Of the tribe of Issachar, Igal the son of Joseph.

8Of the tribe of Ephraim, Oshea the son of Nun.

9Of the tribe of Benjamin, Palti the son of Raphu.

10Of the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi.

11Of the tribe of Joseph, namely, of the tribe of Manasseh, Gaddi the son of Susi.

12Of the tribe of Dan, Ammiel the son of Gemalli.

13Of the tribe of Asher, Sethur the son of Michael.

14Of the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi.

15Of the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi.

16These are the names of the men which Moses sent to spy out the land. And Moses called Oshea the son of Nun Jehoshua.

17And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain:

18And see the land, what it is; and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many;

19And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds;

20And 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.

21So they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath.

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.)

23And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff; and they brought of the pomegranates, and of the figs.

24The place was called the brook Eshcol, because of the cluster of grapes which the children of Israel cut down from thence.

25And they returned from searching of the land after forty days.

26And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land.

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.

28Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there.

29The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan.

30And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.

31But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.

32And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature.

33And 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.^↗

1Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

2"Send men, that they may spy out the land of Canaan, which I give to the children of Israel. Of every tribe of their fathers, you shall send a man, every one a prince among them."^↗

3Moses sent them from the wilderness of Paran according to the commandment of Yahweh. All of them were men who were heads of the children of Israel.

4These were their names: Of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur.

5Of the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat the son of Hori.

6Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.

7Of the tribe of Issachar, Igal the son of Joseph.

8Of the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Nun.

9Of the tribe of Benjamin, Palti the son of Raphu.

10Of the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi.

11Of the tribe of Joseph, of the tribe of Manasseh, Gaddi the son of Susi.

12Of the tribe of Dan, Ammiel the son of Gemalli.

13Of the tribe of Asher, Sethur the son of Michael.

14Of the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi.

15Of the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi.

16These are the names of the men who Moses sent to spy out the land. Moses called Hoshea the son of Nun Joshua.

17Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said to them, "Go up this way by the South, and go up into the hill country.

18See the land, what it is; and the people who dwell therein, whether they are strong or weak, whether they are few or many;

19and what the land is that they dwell in, whether it is good or bad; and what cities they are that they dwell in, whether in camps, or in strongholds;

20and what the land is, whether it is fertile or poor, whether there is wood therein, or not. Be courageous, and bring some of the fruit of the land." Now the time was the time of the first-ripe grapes.

21So they went up, and spied out the land from the wilderness of Zin to Rehob, to the entrance of Hamath.

22They went up by the South, and came to Hebron; and Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were there. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)

23They came to the valley of Eshcol, and cut down from there a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bore it on a staff between two. They also brought some of the pomegranates and figs.

24That place was called the valley of Eshcol, because of the cluster which the children of Israel cut down from there.

25They returned from spying out the land at the end of forty days.

26They went and came to Moses, to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, to the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word to them and to all the congregation. They showed them the fruit of the land.

27They told him, and said, "We came to the land where you sent us. Surely it flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit.

28However, the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. Moreover, we saw the children of Anak there.

29Amalek dwells in the land of the South. The Hittite, the Jebusite, and the Amorite dwell in the hill country. The Canaanite dwells by the sea, and along the side of the Jordan."

30Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, "Let's go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it!"

31But the men who went up with him said, "We aren't able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we."

32They brought up an evil report of the land which they had spied out to the children of Israel, saying, "The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that eats up its inhabitants; and all the people who we saw in it are men of great stature.

33There we saw the Nephilim, the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim. We were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight."^↗

1And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,

2Send thou men, that they may spy out the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a prince among them.^↗

3And Moses sent them from the wilderness of Paran according to the commandment of Jehovah: all of them men who were heads of the children of Israel.

4And these were their names: Of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur.

5Of the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat the son of Hori.

6Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.

7Of the tribe of Issachar, Igal the son of Joseph.

8Of the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Nun.

9Of the tribe of Benjamin, Palti the son of Raphu.

10Of the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi.

11Of the tribe of Joseph, namely, of the tribe of Manasseh, Gaddi the son of Susi.

12Of the tribe of Dan, Ammiel the son of Gemalli.

13Of the tribe of Asher, Sethur the son of Michael.

14Of the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi.

15Of the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi.

16These are the names of the men that Moses sent to spy out the land. And Moses called Hoshea the son of Nun Joshua.

17And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way by the South, and go up into the hill-country:

18and see the land, what it is; and the people that dwell therein, whether they are strong or weak, whether they are few or many;

19and what the land is that they dwell in, whether it is good or bad; and what cities they are that they dwell in, whether in camps, or in strongholds;

20and 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.

21So they went up, and spied out the land from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, to the entrance of Hamath.

22And they went up by the South, and came unto Hebron; and Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were there. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)

23And they came unto the valley of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it upon a staff between two; they brought also of the pomegranates, and of the figs.

24That place was called the valley of Eshcol, because of the cluster which the children of Israel cut down from thence.

25And they returned from spying out the land at the end of forty days.

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.

28Howbeit the people that dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there.

29Amalek dwelleth in the land of the South: and the Hittite, and the Jebusite, and the Amorite, dwell in the hill-country; and the Canaanite dwelleth by the sea, and along by the side of the Jordan.

30And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.

31But the men that went up with him said, We are not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.

32And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had spied out unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of great stature.

33And 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.^↗

1And Jehovah speaketh unto Moses, saying,

2`Send for thee men, and they spy the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the sons of Israel; one man, one man for the tribe of his fathers ye do send, every one a prince among them.'^↗

3And Moses sendeth them from the wilderness of Paran by the command of Jehovah; all of them are men, heads of the sons of Israel they are,

4and these their names: For the tribe of Reuben, Shammua son of Zaccur.

5For the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat son of Hori.

6For the tribe of Judah, Caleb son of Jephunneh.

7For the tribe of Issachar, Igal son of Joseph.

8For the tribe of Ephraim, Oshea, son of Nun.

9For the tribe of Benjamin, Palti son of Raphu.

10For the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel son of Sodi.

11For the tribe of Joseph, (for the tribe of Manasseh,) Gaddi son of Susi.

12For the tribe of Dan, Ammiel son of Gemalli.

13For the tribe of Asher, Sethur son of Michael.

14For the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi son of Vopshi.

15For the tribe of Gad, Geuel son of Machi.

16These are the names of the men whom Moses hath sent to spy the land; and Moses calleth Hoshea son of Nun, Jehoshua.

17And Moses sendeth them to spy the land of Canaan, and saith unto them, `Go ye up this way into the south, and ye have gone up the mountain,

18and have seen the land what it is, and the people which is dwelling on it, whether it is strong or feeble; whether it is few or many;

19and what the land is in which it is dwelling, whether it is good or bad; and what are the cities in which it is dwelling, whether in camps or in fortresses;

20And 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.

21And they go up and spy the land, from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob at the going in to Hamath;

22and they go up by the south, and come in unto Hebron, and there are Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, children of Anak (and Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt),

23and they come in unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down thence a branch and one cluster of grapes, and they bear it on a staff by two, also some of the pomegranates, and of the figs.

24That place hath one called Brook of Eshcol, because of the cluster which the sons of Israel cut from thence.

25And they turn back from spying the land at the end of forty days.

26And they go and come in unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto all the company of the sons of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and they bring them and all the company back word, and shew them the fruit of the land.

27And they recount to him, and say, `We came in unto the land whither thou hast sent us, and also it is flowing with milk and honey--and this is its fruit;

28only, surely the people which is dwelling in the land is strong; and the cities are fenced, very great; and also children of Anak we have seen there.

29Amalek is dwelling in the land of the south, and the Hittite, and the Jebusite, and the Amorite is dwelling in the hill country, and the Canaanite is dwelling by the sea, and by the side of the Jordan.'

30And Caleb stilleth the people concerning Moses, and saith, `Let us certainly go up--and we have possessed it; for we are thoroughly able for it.'

31And 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;'

32and they bring out an evil account of the land which they have spied unto the sons of Israel, saying, `The land into which we passed over to spy it, is a land eating up its inhabitants; and all the people whom we saw in its midst are men of stature;

33and 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.'^↗

Scripture text public domain: KJV (1611) · WEB (2020) · ASV (1901) · YLT (1862).

Dead Sea Scrolls

Part of this chapter survives at Qumran. 4Q27 (4QNum^b), a Herodian-period manuscript of roughly 30 BC to AD 70, preserves Numbers 13:7-24 among its fragments — that is, the second half of the roster of scouts, the whole of Moses’ briefing, and the return with the cluster of grapes. The verses that decide the chapter, 27 to 33, are not in the surviving portion.

The manuscript matters for more than coverage. 4Q27 is one of the clearest examples of an expansionist biblical text among the scrolls: at a number of points it is longer than the Masoretic text and agrees with the Samaritan Pentateuch, filling out narratives from parallel passages. That a scroll of this character was copied and kept alongside others shows that the community used more than one form of the text of Numbers without apparent difficulty.

What this means for a reader here is limited and worth stating plainly. The scroll confirms that the roster, the briefing and the grape cluster were being copied in the first century BC in substantially the form we have. It says nothing about whether the events happened, and the parts of the chapter that carry the argument are lost.

In the Quran

This is one of the episodes the Quran tells at length, in Al-Ma’ida 5:20-26, and the shape is close enough that the two accounts can be laid side by side.

The refusal is the same, in the same terms. Moses tells the people to enter the blessed land which Allah has assigned to you (5:21). They answer: indeed within it is a people of tyrannical strength, and indeed, we will never enter it until they leave it (5:22) — the objection of verse 28 and verse 31 of this chapter, with the same logic. And the sentence is the same: it is forbidden to them for forty years, in which they will wander throughout the land (5:26).

Two men speak against the majority, and they are not named. At 5:23, two men from those who feared, upon whom Allah had bestowed favor, urge the people to enter upon them through the gate. The Quran does not name them; Islamic commentary generally identifies them with Yusha‘ ibn Nun and Kalib — Joshua and Caleb. Numbers 13 has only Caleb speak, with Joshua joining him in the following chapter, so the pairing here matches Numbers 14 rather than this one.

The twelve appear separately, earlier in the same surah. Al-Ma’ida 5:12 says God appointed twelve leaders from among them — twelve naqib, chieftains, one to a tribe. The verse attaches them to a covenant rather than to a scouting mission, so the connection to this chapter is thematic rather than narrative.

The sharpest line has no biblical equivalent. At 5:24 the people tell Moses go, you and your Lord, and fight. Indeed, we are remaining right here. Numbers 14:2-4 has the people weep, propose a captain and talk of returning to Egypt, but nothing that blunt. It is the Quran’s own formulation of what the refusal amounted to.

The party leaves from the wilderness of Paran and returns to Kadesh — neither identified on the ground, and the pin marks Paran loosely. The one place in the chapter that can be visited is Hebron, in the Judean hills, where the scouts meet the children of Anak and where the narrator stops to date the city against Zoan in the Egyptian delta. The route runs south to north: the arid Negev, then the highlands, then the coast and the Jordan — the three zones the report lists in verse 29. Pin color follows evidence tier.

Ancient Near Eastern Parallels (ANE) How surrounding cultures handled the same themes and events