We even saw the Nephilim there--the descendants of Anak that come from the Nephilim! We seemed like grasshoppers in our own sight, and we must have seemed the same to them!" We seemed like grasshoppersThe phrase "we seemed like grasshoppers" is a vivid metaphor used by the Israelite spies to describe their perception of themselves in comparison to the inhabitants of Canaan. The Hebrew word for "grasshoppers" is "חֲגָבִים" (chagavim), which refers to small, insignificant insects. This self-perception reflects a lack of faith and confidence in God's promise. Historically, the Israelites had witnessed God's mighty acts, yet their fear overshadowed their faith. This metaphor highlights the danger of allowing fear to distort one's identity and mission. in our own sight
The phrase "in our own sight" emphasizes the internal perspective of the spies. It reveals a self-assessment based on human limitations rather than divine assurance. The Hebrew word "עֵינֵינוּ" (eineno) means "our eyes," indicating a reliance on physical sight rather than spiritual insight. This introspective view contrasts with the biblical call to walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). It serves as a cautionary reminder that self-perception should be aligned with God's vision and promises. and we must have seemed the same to them
This phrase suggests an assumption about how the Canaanites perceived the Israelites. The Hebrew word "כֵּן" (ken) means "thus" or "so," indicating a projection of their own fears onto others. This assumption reflects a lack of trust in God's power to instill fear in their enemies, as He had promised (Exodus 23:27). Historically, the Canaanites were indeed fearful of the Israelites, as seen in Rahab's account in Joshua 2:9-11. This highlights the importance of trusting God's perspective over human assumptions. Persons / Places / Events 1. The NephilimA group of people mentioned in the Bible, often associated with giants. Their presence in Canaan intimidated the Israelite spies. 2. The Descendants of AnakA race of giants in Canaan, believed to be related to the Nephilim. They were formidable opponents in the eyes of the Israelites. 3. The Israelite SpiesTwelve men sent by Moses to scout the land of Canaan. Their report influenced the Israelites' perception and faith. 4. CanaanThe Promised Land that God had assured to the Israelites. It was a land of abundance but also inhabited by strong nations. 5. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, who sent the spies to explore Canaan and report back on the land and its inhabitants. Teaching Points Faith Over FearThe Israelites' fear of the Nephilim highlights the importance of trusting in God's promises rather than succumbing to fear. Perception vs. RealityThe spies' self-perception as "grasshoppers" shows how fear can distort reality. Believers are called to see themselves through God's eyes. The Power of InfluenceThe negative report of the spies influenced an entire nation. This teaches the impact of words and the responsibility to speak faith. God's Promises are GreaterDespite the giants in the land, God's promise to give Canaan to the Israelites was sure. Believers can trust in God's faithfulness. Courage in LeadershipLeaders like Caleb and Joshua exemplify courage and faith, encouraging others to trust in God's power over obstacles. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the fear of the Nephilim reflect the Israelites' lack of faith in God's promises? How can we apply this lesson to our own fears today? 2. In what ways can our self-perception affect our ability to fulfill God's calling in our lives? How can we align our view of ourselves with God's perspective? 3. How does the account of the spies' report in Numbers 13:33 connect with the account of David and Goliath? What can we learn about facing "giants" in our lives? 4. What role does leadership play in influencing the faith and actions of a community? How can we be leaders who inspire faith rather than fear? 5. Reflect on a time when you faced a "giant" in your life. How did your faith in God help you overcome it, and what scriptures encouraged you during that time? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 6:4This verse introduces the Nephilim, providing background on their origins and the fear they instilled in others. Deuteronomy 1:28Reflects on the Israelites' fear and reluctance to enter Canaan due to the intimidating reports of the spies. Joshua 14:12-15Caleb's faith and courage in facing the Anakim, contrasting the fear of the other spies. 1 Samuel 17The account of David and Goliath, another instance of facing giants with faith in God. People Aaron, Ahiman, Amalek, Amalekites, Ammiel, Amorites, Anak, Asher, Benjamin, Caleb, Canaanites, Dan, Eshcol, Gad, Gaddi, Gaddiel, Gemalli, Geuel, Hittites, Hori, Hoshea, Igal, Israelites, Issachar, Jebusites, Jehoshua, Jephunneh, Joseph, Joshua, Machi, Manasseh, Michael, Moses, Nahbi, Naphtali, Nun, Oshea, Palti, Raphu, Rehob, Reuben, Sethur, Shammua, Shaphat, Sheshai, Simeon, Sodi, Susi, Talmai, Vophsi, Zaccur, ZebulunPlaces Canaan, Egypt, Hebron, Kadesh-barnea, Lebo-hamath, Negeb, Paran, Rehob, Sinai, Valley of Eshcol, Wilderness of Paran, Zin, ZoanTopics Anak, Descendants, Giants, Grasshoppers, Insects, Nephilim, Offspring, Ourselves, Seemed, Sight, SonsDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 13:33 4660 insects Numbers 13:26-33 5714 men Numbers 13:27-33 4207 land, divine gift Numbers 13:30-33 5819 cowardice Numbers 13:31-33 5916 pessimism
8726 doubters Numbers 13:32-33 5848 exaggeration Library Afraid of Giants
'And 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; 18. And see the land, what it is; and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many; 19. And 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; 20. And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Spies
THE UNBELIEF OF THE CHILDREN of Israel, prompted them to send spies into Canaan. God had told them that it was a good land, and he had promised to drive out their enemies, they ought therefore to have marched forward with all confidence to possess the promised heritage. Instead of this, they send twelve princes to spy out the land, and "alas, for human nature," ten of these were faithless, and only two true to the Lord. Read over the narrative, and mark the ill effect of the lying message, and the …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858 Exploring Canaan by Faith
EXPLORING CANAAN BY FAITH I can not understand faith. What is faith, anyway? I try to believe; sometimes I feel that my faith is strong, but at other times I feel that my faith is giving way. Can you help me in this matter? Faith seems such a hazy, intangible, elusive thing; now I think I have it, now it seems certain I have it not. I feel at times that my faith is so strong I could believe anything, then again I feel that every bit of faith I had is gone. Can you give me any instructions that will …
Robert Lee Berry—Adventures in the Land of Canaan Canaan
Canaan was the inheritance which the Israelites won for themselves by the sword. Their ancestors had already settled in it in patriarchal days. Abraham "the Hebrew" from Babylonia had bought in it a burying-place near Hebron; Jacob had purchased a field near Shechem, where he could water his flocks from his own spring. It was the "Promised Land" to which the serfs of the Pharaoh in Goshen looked forward when they should again become free men and find a new home for themselves. Canaan had ever been …
Archibald Sayce—Early Israel and the Surrounding Nations Hebron
From Jericho we proceed to Hebron, far off in situation, but next to it in dignity: yea, there was a time, when it went before Jerusalem itself in name and honour;--namely, while the first foundations of the kingdom of David were laid; and, at that time, Jericho was buried in rubbish, and Jerusalem was trampled upon by the profane feet of the Jebusites. Hebron was placed, as in the mountainous country of Judea, so in a place very rocky, but yet in a very fruitful coast. "There is no place, in all …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica An Unfulfilled Desire
'... Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!'--NUM. xxiii. 10. '... Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.'--NUM. xiii. 8. Ponder these two pictures. Take the first scene. A prophet, who knows God and His will, is standing on the mountain top, and as he looks down over the valley beneath him, with its acacia-trees and swift river, there spread the tents of Israel. He sees them, and knows that they are 'a people whom the Lord hath blessed.' Brought there …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Epistle xvii. To Felix, Bishop of Messana.
To Felix, Bishop of Messana. To our most reverend brother, the Bishop Felix, Gregory, servant of the servants of God [246] . Our Head, which is Christ, to this end has willed us to be His members, that through His large charity and faithfulness He might make us one body in Himself, to whom it befits us so to cling that, since without Him we can do nothing, through Him we may be enabled to be what we are called. From the citadel of the Head let nothing divide us, lest, if we refuse to be His members, …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great Annunciation of the Birth of Jesus.
(at Nazareth, b.c. 5.) ^C Luke I. 26-38. ^c 26 Now in the sixth month [this is the passage from which we learn that John was six months older than Jesus] the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth [Luke alone tells us where Mary lived before the birth of Jesus. That Nazareth was an unimportant town is shown by the fact that it is mentioned nowhere in the Old Testament, nor in the Talmud, nor in Josephus, who mentions two hundred four towns and cities of Galilee. The …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6 Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Numbers 13:33 NIVNumbers 13:33 NLTNumbers 13:33 ESVNumbers 13:33 NASBNumbers 13:33 KJV
Numbers 13:33 Commentaries
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