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Numbers 13:33
Verse
Context
The Reports of the Spies
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!”
Sermons





Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
There we saw the giants - נפלים nephilim. It is evident that they had seen a robust, sturdy, warlike race of men, and of great stature; for the asserted fact is not denied by Joshua or Caleb. Tales of gigantic men are frequent in all countries, but they are generally of such as have lived in times very remote from those in which such tales are told. That there have been giants at different times, in various parts of the earth, there can be no doubt; but that there ever was a nation of men twelve and fourteen feet high, we cannot, should not believe. Goliath appears to have been at least nine feet high: this was very extraordinary. I knew three young men in my own neighborhood, two of them brothers, each of whom was upwards of seven feet, the third was eight feet six inches, and these men were very well proportioned. Others I have seen of extraordinary stature, but they were generally disproportioned, especially in their limbs. These instances serve to prove the possibility of cases of this nature. The Anakim might appear to the Israelites as a very tall, robust nation; and in comparison of the latter it is very probable that they were so, as it is very likely that the growth of the Israelites had been greatly cramped with their long and severe servitude in Egypt. And this may in some measure account for their alarm. On this subject the reader is desired to turn back to the note on Gen 6:4 (note). Canaan was a type of the kingdom of God; the wilderness through which the Israelites passed, of the difficulties and trials to be met with in the present world. The promise of the kingdom of God is given to every believer; but how many are discouraged by the difficulties in the way! A slothful heart sees dangers, lions, and giants, every where; and therefore refuses to proceed in the heavenly path. Many of the spies contribute to this by the bad reports they bring of the heavenly country. Certain preachers allow "that the land is good, that it flows with milk and honey," and go so far as to show some of its fruits; but they discourage the people by stating the impossibility of overcoming their enemies. "Sin," say they, "cannot be destroyed in this life - it will always dwell in you - the Anakim cannot be conquered - we are but as grasshoppers against the Anakim," etc., etc. Here and there a Joshua and a Caleb, trusting alone in the power of God, armed with faith in the infinite efficacy of that blood which cleanses from all unrighteousness, boldly stand forth and say: "Their defense is departed from them, and the Lord is with us; let us go up at once and possess the land, for we are well able to overcome." We can do all things through Christ strengthening us: he will purify us unto himself, and give us that rest from sin here which his death has procured and his word has promised. Reader, canst thou not take God at his word? He has never yet failed thee. Surely then thou hast no reason to doubt. Thou hast never yet tried him to the uttermost. Thou knowest not how far and how fully he can save. Do not be dispirited: the sons of Anak shall fall before thee, if thou meet them in the name of the Lord of Hosts.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak--The name is derived from the son of Arba, a great man among the Arabians (Jos 15:14), who probably obtained his appellation from wearing a splendid collar or chain round his neck, as the word imports. The epithet "giant" evidently refers here to stature. (See on Gen 6:4). And it is probable the Anakims were a distinguished family, or perhaps a select body of warriors, chosen for their extraordinary size. we were in our own sight as grasshoppers--a strong Orientalism, by which the treacherous spies gave an exaggerated report of the physical strength of the people of Canaan. Next: Numbers Chapter 14
Tyndale Open Study Notes
13:33 giants: See study note on Gen 6:4.
Numbers 13:33
The Reports of the Spies
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!”
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
(Spirit-Filled Life) Part 4: Lay All on the Altar
By Zac Poonen1.9K1:03:33Surrender to GodSpirit Filled LifeNUM 13:33PRO 14:14LUK 11:13ROM 8:14ROM 12:11CO 10:22CO 10:5GAL 2:20GAL 5:24HEB 4:2Zac Poonen emphasizes the necessity of laying everything on the altar to experience a Spirit-filled life, drawing parallels between the Israelites' journey from Egypt to Canaan and the Christian's journey towards spiritual victory. He explains that the two baptisms the Israelites underwent symbolize salvation and the immersion in the Holy Spirit, which is meant to lead believers into a life of victory over sin. Poonen warns against seeking the Holy Spirit for mere experiences, urging believers to trust God fully and to confront the 'giants' of sin in their lives with faith. He highlights that true victory comes from recognizing our position in Christ and actively engaging in the battle against the flesh, rather than living in a state of religious complacency. Ultimately, he calls for a continuous surrender to God, encouraging believers to seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in their daily lives.
Joshua (Part 11): A Whole-Hearted Follower
By Richard Sipley78338:21NUM 13:33NUM 32:10DEU 1:36JOS 14:6MAT 6:33COL 3:1In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of wholeheartedly following the Lord. He references the life of John Wesley, who was a dedicated follower of God and made a significant impact on the world. The speaker then turns to the story of Joshua in the Bible, specifically focusing on Caleb's faith and conviction. Caleb was one of the twelve spies sent to explore the land of Canaan, and despite the challenges and giants they faced, he remained steadfast in his belief that God would give them victory. The speaker encourages the audience to not be discouraged by their own weaknesses, but to keep their focus on God and trust in His power.
Why Am I So Down?
By Carter Conlon72137:04Christian LifeNUM 13:27NUM 13:33PSA 42:4PSA 119:105PSA 119:130PSA 142:7MAT 6:33In this sermon, the speaker focuses on three key points from Psalm 27. The first point is that sometimes we receive an evil report about ourselves, which can discourage us. The speaker references the story of the 12 spies sent into the promised land, where 10 of them gave a negative report, causing the people to doubt and weep. The second point is that we need to listen to the voice of God and put away the voices that condemn us. The speaker emphasizes that God has promised us victory and we should trust in His word. The third point is that we should not compare ourselves to others or let our own failings and struggles discourage us. Instead, we should focus on God's faithfulness and believe in His promises.
When Will You Believe What God Promised?
By David Wilkerson0FaithOvercoming InadequacyNUM 13:33NUM 14:11PSA 46:1ISA 40:29ROM 8:312CO 12:9EPH 6:10PHP 4:13HEB 11:61PE 5:7David Wilkerson addresses the issue of self-doubt among Christians, emphasizing that feelings of inadequacy stem from a lack of belief in God's promises. He draws parallels to the Israelite spies who, despite witnessing God's power, focused on their weaknesses and declared themselves incapable. Wilkerson asserts that such attitudes are not humble but rather a rejection of God's strength and faithfulness. He challenges believers to trust in God's promises and strength, reminding them that their worth is not defined by their abilities but by their faith in Him. Ultimately, he calls for a shift from self-doubt to belief in God's unwavering support.
There We Saw the Giants
By Charles E. Cowman0NUM 13:33ROM 8:371CO 16:132CO 4:81PE 4:12Charles E. Cowman preaches on the story of the Israelites encountering giants in Canaan, emphasizing the importance of having faith like Caleb and Joshua who saw God's power despite the challenges. He highlights that giants represent great difficulties we face in various aspects of life and encourages believers to overcome them with faith, viewing them as opportunities for growth and strength. Cowman uses the example of Paul's struggles to Rome to illustrate that the power of God often leads to conflicts and challenges, but through reliance on Jesus Christ, victory can be achieved. He stresses that the journey of faith involves continuous struggles and battles, but by embracing these hardships, believers can experience the manifestation of Jesus' life in their own lives.
The Devil Is Bad Enough
By K.P. Yohannan0Spiritual WarfareIdentity in ChristNUM 13:33MRK 5:1EPH 1:20EPH 6:161JN 4:4K.P. Yohannan emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between demonic activity and natural occurrences, cautioning against attributing every misfortune to the devil. He recounts an encounter with a woman who believed she had a 'demon of smoking,' illustrating that some struggles stem from human nature rather than demonic influence. Yohannan reassures believers that the devil is already defeated and that they possess authority over evil forces through Christ. He warns against the danger of forgetting one's identity in Christ and encourages reliance on God's power rather than focusing solely on the enemy's tactics. The sermon also highlights the need for compassion towards those with mental and emotional struggles, advocating for appropriate treatment alongside spiritual support.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
There we saw the giants - נפלים nephilim. It is evident that they had seen a robust, sturdy, warlike race of men, and of great stature; for the asserted fact is not denied by Joshua or Caleb. Tales of gigantic men are frequent in all countries, but they are generally of such as have lived in times very remote from those in which such tales are told. That there have been giants at different times, in various parts of the earth, there can be no doubt; but that there ever was a nation of men twelve and fourteen feet high, we cannot, should not believe. Goliath appears to have been at least nine feet high: this was very extraordinary. I knew three young men in my own neighborhood, two of them brothers, each of whom was upwards of seven feet, the third was eight feet six inches, and these men were very well proportioned. Others I have seen of extraordinary stature, but they were generally disproportioned, especially in their limbs. These instances serve to prove the possibility of cases of this nature. The Anakim might appear to the Israelites as a very tall, robust nation; and in comparison of the latter it is very probable that they were so, as it is very likely that the growth of the Israelites had been greatly cramped with their long and severe servitude in Egypt. And this may in some measure account for their alarm. On this subject the reader is desired to turn back to the note on Gen 6:4 (note). Canaan was a type of the kingdom of God; the wilderness through which the Israelites passed, of the difficulties and trials to be met with in the present world. The promise of the kingdom of God is given to every believer; but how many are discouraged by the difficulties in the way! A slothful heart sees dangers, lions, and giants, every where; and therefore refuses to proceed in the heavenly path. Many of the spies contribute to this by the bad reports they bring of the heavenly country. Certain preachers allow "that the land is good, that it flows with milk and honey," and go so far as to show some of its fruits; but they discourage the people by stating the impossibility of overcoming their enemies. "Sin," say they, "cannot be destroyed in this life - it will always dwell in you - the Anakim cannot be conquered - we are but as grasshoppers against the Anakim," etc., etc. Here and there a Joshua and a Caleb, trusting alone in the power of God, armed with faith in the infinite efficacy of that blood which cleanses from all unrighteousness, boldly stand forth and say: "Their defense is departed from them, and the Lord is with us; let us go up at once and possess the land, for we are well able to overcome." We can do all things through Christ strengthening us: he will purify us unto himself, and give us that rest from sin here which his death has procured and his word has promised. Reader, canst thou not take God at his word? He has never yet failed thee. Surely then thou hast no reason to doubt. Thou hast never yet tried him to the uttermost. Thou knowest not how far and how fully he can save. Do not be dispirited: the sons of Anak shall fall before thee, if thou meet them in the name of the Lord of Hosts.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak--The name is derived from the son of Arba, a great man among the Arabians (Jos 15:14), who probably obtained his appellation from wearing a splendid collar or chain round his neck, as the word imports. The epithet "giant" evidently refers here to stature. (See on Gen 6:4). And it is probable the Anakims were a distinguished family, or perhaps a select body of warriors, chosen for their extraordinary size. we were in our own sight as grasshoppers--a strong Orientalism, by which the treacherous spies gave an exaggerated report of the physical strength of the people of Canaan. Next: Numbers Chapter 14
Tyndale Open Study Notes
13:33 giants: See study note on Gen 6:4.