Numbers 13:18 is part of Moses' instructions to the twelve spies he is sending to scout out the land of Canaan, which God has promised to the Israelites. Let's break down what it means:
"See the land, what it is..." This is a direct instruction to observe and understand the nature of the land itself. This includes:
Fertility: Is the land fruitful and capable of producing abundant crops?
Terrain: Is it mountainous, flat, desert, or fertile plains? How easily can it be cultivated?
Resources: Does it have water sources, forests, minerals, etc.?
"...and the people who dwell therein..." This instruction focuses on the inhabitants of the land. Moses wants the spies to assess the Canaanites.
"...whether they are strong or weak..." This refers to the military might and physical strength of the people. Are they seasoned warriors? Do they have advanced weapons or fortifications? Are they easily intimidated?
"...whether they are few or many..." This is a straightforward assessment of the population size. Are they a large, numerous people, or are their settlements sparsely populated?
In essence, the verse means:
Moses is commanding the spies to conduct a thorough reconnaissance mission. They need to analyze both the land's characteristics and the strength of its inhabitants. He wants to know if the land is worth conquering, and if the Canaanites are a formidable enemy or an easy target.
Significance:
This verse reveals a human element in the story. While God has promised the land to the Israelites, Moses recognizes the need for practical information and assessment. It shows that even with divine promise, careful planning and intelligence gathering are necessary.
However, the interpretation of the gathered intelligence is what proves to be pivotal in the story. The spies ultimately come back with a mixed report. The land is indeed fertile (as they demonstrate with the large grapes), but most of the spies focus on the perceived strength of the Canaanites, leading to fear and discouragement among the Israelites. Only Caleb and Joshua urge the people to trust in God and proceed to take the land. This ultimately highlights the importance of faith and trust in God's promise, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Numbers 13:18 is part of Moses' instructions to the twelve spies he is sending to scout out the land of Canaan, which God has promised to the Israelites. Let's break down what it means:
"See the land, what it is..." This is a direct instruction to observe and understand the nature of the land itself. This includes:
Fertility: Is the land fruitful and capable of producing abundant crops?
Terrain: Is it mountainous, flat, desert, or fertile plains? How easily can it be cultivated?
Resources: Does it have water sources, forests, minerals, etc.?
"...and the people who dwell therein..." This instruction focuses on the inhabitants of the land. Moses wants the spies to assess the Canaanites.
"...whether they are strong or weak..." This refers to the military might and physical strength of the people. Are they seasoned warriors? Do they have advanced weapons or fortifications? Are they easily intimidated?
"...whether they are few or many..." This is a straightforward assessment of the population size. Are they a large, numerous people, or are their settlements sparsely populated?
In essence, the verse means:
Moses is commanding the spies to conduct a thorough reconnaissance mission. They need to analyze both the land's characteristics and the strength of its inhabitants. He wants to know if the land is worth conquering, and if the Canaanites are a formidable enemy or an easy target.
Significance:
This verse reveals a human element in the story. While God has promised the land to the Israelites, Moses recognizes the need for practical information and assessment. It shows that even with divine promise, careful planning and intelligence gathering are necessary.
However, the interpretation of the gathered intelligence is what proves to be pivotal in the story. The spies ultimately come back with a mixed report. The land is indeed fertile (as they demonstrate with the large grapes), but most of the spies focus on the perceived strength of the Canaanites, leading to fear and discouragement among the Israelites. Only Caleb and Joshua urge the people to trust in God and proceed to take the land. This ultimately highlights the importance of faith and trust in God's promise, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.