What is the meaning of Numbers 13:18?

See what the land is like

- God commands Moses to send spies so Israel can witness firsthand the goodness of the land He has promised (Genesis 12:7; Deuteronomy 1:21).

- Exploring the terrain affirms the Lord’s earlier description of “a land flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:8).

- Observing vineyards, valleys, and fortified cities would bolster faith, much like Joshua later recalls the land’s abundance in Joshua 24:11–13.

- The task is not doubting God’s word but verifying His faithfulness, echoing Psalm 34:8: “Taste and see that the LORD is good.”

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Whether its people are strong or weak

- Assessing strength helps Israel recognize that any victory will be God-given, not human (Deuteronomy 9:1–3).

- Giants such as the Anakim (Numbers 13:33) highlight the contrast between human might and divine power; David will echo this truth facing Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:45–47.

- Knowing the enemy’s strength prepares the nation for obedient strategy under Joshua (Joshua 6:2–5) and reinforces trust in promises like Isaiah 41:10.

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Few or many

- Counting the inhabitants reminds Israel that God’s deliverance is not limited by numbers (Judges 7:2–7).

- Whether the Canaanites are numerous or sparse, the covenant stands: “The LORD your God is the One fighting for you” (Deuteronomy 20:4).

- This perspective guards against fear when opposition seems overwhelming (2 Chronicles 32:7–8) and against pride when it appears small (Deuteronomy 8:17–18).

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summary

Numbers 13:18 invites Israel to observe the promised land’s quality and its inhabitants’ power and size, not to question God’s reliability but to deepen confidence in Him. The report of the spies is meant to stir faith: the land is exactly as described, and any challenge—great or small—will showcase the Lord’s saving strength for His people.