Numbers 13:31

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Numbers 13:31 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

But the men who had gone up with him replied, “We cannot go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are!”

King James Version KJV

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.

American Standard Version ASV

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.

Bible in Basic English BBE

But 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.

Free Bible Version FBV

But the men who had gone with him disagreed. “We can't go and fight these people! They're much stronger than us!”

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Then Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and saide, Let vs go vp at once, and possesse it: for vndoubtedly we shall ouercome it.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

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;'

World English Bible WEB

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.”

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

In the mean time Caleb, to still the murmuring of the people that rose against Moses, said: Let us go up and possess the land, for we shall be able to conquer it.

Translation for Translators T4T

But the men who had gone with him said, “No, we cannot attack and defeat those people! They are much stronger than we are!”

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 13:31

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Numbers 13:31 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וְ/הָ֨/אֲנָשִׁ֜ים אֲשֶׁר עָל֤וּ עִמּ/וֹ֙ אָֽמְר֔וּ לֹ֥א נוּכַ֖ל לַ/עֲל֣וֹת אֶל הָ/עָ֑ם כִּֽי חָזָ֥ק ה֖וּא מִמֶּֽ/נּוּ

וְ/הָ֨/אֲנָשִׁ֜ים ʼîysh H376 man Conj | Art | N-mp

אֲשֶׁר ʼăsher H834 which Rel

עָל֤וּ ʻâlâh H5927 to ascend V-Qal-Perf-3cp

עִמּ/וֹ֙ ʻim H5973 with Prep | Suff

אָֽמְר֔וּ ʼâmar H559 to say V-Qal-Perf-3cp

לֹ֥א lôʼ H3808 not Part

נוּכַ֖ל yâkôl H3201 be able V-Qal-Imperf-1cp

לַ/עֲל֣וֹת ʻâlâh H5927 to ascend Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a

אֶל ʼêl H413 to(wards) Prep

הָ/עָ֑ם ʻam H5971 Amaw Art | N-ms

כִּֽי kîy H3588 for Conj

חָזָ֥ק châzâq H2389 strong Adj

ה֖וּא hûwʼ H1931 he/she/it Pron

מִמֶּֽ/נּוּ min H4480 from Prep | Suff

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 13:31

וְ/הָ֨/אֲנָשִׁ֜ים ʼîysh H376 "man" Conj | Art | N-mp

The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.

Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)

Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.

אֲשֶׁר ʼăsher H834 "which" Rel

This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.

Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when

Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.

עָל֤וּ ʻâlâh H5927 "to ascend" V-Qal-Perf-3cp

To ascend means to go up or rise, like the smoke from an altar going up to God, as described in many Bible passages, including Leviticus and Psalms.

Definition: : rise/go 1) to go up, ascend, climb 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go up, ascend 1a2) to meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat 1a3) to go up, come up (of animals) 1a4) to spring up, grow, shoot forth (of vegetation) 1a5) to go up, go up over, rise (of natural phenomenon) 1a6) to come up (before God) 1a7) to go up, go up over, extend (of boundary) 1a8) to excel, be superior to 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be taken up, be brought up, be taken away 1b2) to take oneself away 1b3) to be exalted 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to bring up, cause to ascend or climb, cause to go up 1c2) to bring up, bring against, take away 1c3) to bring up, draw up, train 1c4) to cause to ascend 1c5) to rouse, stir up (mentally) 1c6) to offer, bring up (of gifts) 1c7) to exalt 1c8) to cause to ascend, offer 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be carried away, be led up 1d2) to be taken up into, be inserted in 1d3) to be offered 1e) (Hithpael) to lift oneself

Usage: Occurs in 817 OT verses. KJV: arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 34:4; Joshua 7:6.

עִמּ/וֹ֙ ʻim H5973 "with" Prep | Suff

This Hebrew word means with or together, like when God is with his people in Exodus 33:14-15. It's used to describe accompaniment or association, and can also mean against or beside. The word is used to convey a sense of relationship or proximity between people or things.

Definition: 1) with 1a) with 1b) against 1c) toward 1d) as long as

Usage: Occurs in 919 OT verses. KJV: accompanying, against, and, as ([idiom] long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from (among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-) to, with(-al). See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 21:14; Deuteronomy 29:11.

אָֽמְר֔וּ ʼâmar H559 "to say" V-Qal-Perf-3cp

This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.

Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)

Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.

לֹ֥א lôʼ H3808 "not" Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.

נוּכַ֖ל yâkôl H3201 "be able" V-Qal-Imperf-1cp

This Hebrew word means to be able or have power, used in various contexts, such as overcoming or enduring, and is translated as 'be able' or 'have power' in the KJV.

Definition: 1) to prevail, overcome, endure, have power, be able 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be able, be able to gain or accomplish, be able to endure, be able to reach 1a2) to prevail, prevail over or against, overcome, be victor 1a3) to have ability, have strength Aramaic equivalent: ye.khel (יְכִל "be able" H3202)

Usage: Occurs in 182 OT verses. KJV: be able, any at all (ways), attain, can (away with, (-not)), could, endure, might, overcome, have power, prevail, still, suffer. See also: Genesis 13:6; 1 Kings 14:4; Psalms 13:5.

לַ/עֲל֣וֹת ʻâlâh H5927 "to ascend" Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a

To ascend means to go up or rise, like the smoke from an altar going up to God, as described in many Bible passages, including Leviticus and Psalms.

אֶל ʼêl H413 "to(wards)" Prep

This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.

Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.

הָ/עָ֑ם ʻam H5971 "Amaw" Art | N-ms

A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.

Definition: This name means nation, people

Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.

כִּֽי kîy H3588 "for" Conj

A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.

Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.

חָזָ֥ק châzâq H2389 "strong" Adj

Strong refers to something or someone powerful, but often in a bad sense, like being severe or hard, as translated in the KJV.

Definition: 1) strong, stout, mighty 1a) strong 1a1) severe, sharp, hot 1a2) firm, hard 1b) a strong one (subst)

Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: harder, hottest, [phrase] impudent, loud, mighty, sore, stiff(-hearted), strong(-er). See also: Exodus 3:19; 1 Kings 18:2; Psalms 35:10.

ה֖וּא hûwʼ H1931 "he/she/it" Pron

This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.

Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)

Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.

מִמֶּֽ/נּוּ min H4480 "from" Prep | Suff

This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.

Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)

Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.

Study Notes — Numbers 13:31

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Numbers 13:31 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 13:31
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 13:31
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 13:31
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 13:31
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 13:31
Sermons on Numbers 13:31

Context — The Reports of the Spies

29The Amalekites live in the land of the Negev; the Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites live in the hill country; and the Canaanites live by the sea and along the Jordan.” 30Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “We must go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly conquer it!”

31But the men who had gone up with him replied, “We cannot go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are!”

32So 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. 33We 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!”

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Deuteronomy 1:28	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.’”
2	Joshua 14:8	Although my brothers who went with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear, I remained loyal to the LORD my God.
3	Hebrews 3:19	So we see that it was because of their unbelief that they were unable to enter.
4	Numbers 32:9	For when your fathers went up to the Valley of Eshcol and saw the land, they discouraged the Israelites from entering the land that the LORD had given them.
5	Deuteronomy 9:1	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.

Numbers 13:31 Summary

The men who had gone up with Caleb to spy out the land were afraid to go up against the people because they seemed stronger, as seen in Numbers 13:31. This shows us that when we face challenges, we can choose to trust in God's power and promises, or we can give in to fear and doubt, as seen in Psalm 56:3-4. By trusting in God, we can overcome our fears and doubts, just like Caleb did, and trust in His power to help us, as seen in Isaiah 41:10. We can remember that God is always with us and will help us, as promised in Deuteronomy 31:6 and Matthew 28:20.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the main concern of the men who had gone up with Caleb in Numbers 13:31?

The main concern of the men was that the people of the land were stronger than they were, which made them afraid to go up against them, as seen in Numbers 13:31 and similar fears expressed in Deuteronomy 1:28.

How did the men's response in Numbers 13:31 differ from Caleb's response in Numbers 13:30?

The men's response was one of fear and doubt, whereas Caleb's response was one of faith and confidence, as seen in Numbers 13:30, where Caleb said they could certainly conquer the land, trusting in God's promise as stated in Genesis 12:7 and Exodus 6:4.

What can we learn from the men's response in Numbers 13:31 about the dangers of unbelief?

The men's response teaches us that unbelief can lead to fear, doubt, and a lack of trust in God's power and promises, as seen in Hebrews 3:19, where it is written that the Israelites were not able to enter the Promised Land due to unbelief.

How can we apply the lesson of Numbers 13:31 to our own lives when faced with challenges?

We can apply the lesson by choosing to trust in God's power and promises, rather than giving in to fear and doubt, as encouraged in Philippians 4:13 and 2 Timothy 1:7.

Reflection Questions

What are some areas in my life where I am struggling with fear and doubt, and how can I apply the lesson of Numbers 13:31 to trust in God's power and promises?
How can I, like Caleb, be a voice of faith and confidence in the midst of fear and uncertainty, as seen in Numbers 13:30?
What are some promises of God that I can hold onto when faced with challenges, and how can I trust in His power to overcome them, as seen in Exodus 14:13-14 and Joshua 1:9?
In what ways can I be more like the men in Numbers 13:31, and how can I avoid the dangers of unbelief in my own life, as warned against in Hebrews 3:12-13?

Gill's Exposition on Numbers 13:31

But the men that went up with him,.... With Caleb, all but Joshua: the other ten said, we be not able to go up against the people; this they had not said before, though they plainly suggested it,

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 13:31

And 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. No JFB commentary on these verses.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 13:31

The men that went up with him; all of them, Joshua excepted. They are stronger than we, both in stature of body and numbers of people. Thus they wickedly question the power, and truth, and goodness of God, of all which they had such ample testimonies.

Cambridge Bible on Numbers 13:31

25–33. The spies returned and reported that the land was very fertile , , but the inhabitants were tall and terrible and their cities impregnable.

Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 13:31

31. We be not able — The majority had not asserted this before, but had left the people to draw this inference. Now they are evidently enraged at the brave words of Caleb.

Sermons on Numbers 13:31

	Sermon	Description
	The Glory of God - Part 2 by David Platt	This sermon delves into the story of the Israelites standing on the brink of the promised land, sending spies who brought back a negative report, leading to fear, rebellion, and a
	The Necessity of the Bible for Salvation by Hans R. Waldvogel	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having hope in the Gospel. He describes how the early Christians faced persecution and even death with boldness and joy be
	The Ministry of Encouragement by J.R. Miller	J.R. Miller emphasizes the vital role of encouragement in the Christian life, contrasting it with the detrimental effects of discouragement. He critiques the notion of a somber, si
	The Spies by C.H. Spurgeon	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of Canaan as a representation of religion. He argues that Canaan was never meant to symbolize heaven, as there are no negative ele
	Caleb by Welcome Detweiler	In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the example of Caleb from the Bible who is commended for his wholehearted devotion to God. The speaker challenges the audience to examine the
	Are You Ready to Leave the Wilderness? by Andrew Murray	Andrew Murray emphasizes the importance of faith in leaving the wilderness of unbelief and entering into a life of victory and communion with God. He points out that Israel's strug
	Avoiding Cynicism - Part 3 by K.P. Yohannan	In this sermon, Brother K.P. Johannett addresses the danger of becoming cynical and taking God's Word and blessings for granted. He highlights the importance of faith and belief in