And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be ye of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the firstripe grapes.

NUMBERS 13:20KJV
Know the Bible

Numbers 13:20 (KJV)

What does Numbers 13:20 mean?

Numbers 13:20 describes Moses instructing the spies to observe whether the land of Canaan is fertile or barren, if it has trees, and to be courageous as they bring back samples of its produce. The verse notes that this was the season when the first grapes were ripening, setting the time of year for their mission.

Moses is speaking to the twelve men chosen to scout out the land of Canaan before Israel enters it. He wants them to pay close attention to the land’s quality—whether it is “fat” (rich and productive) or “lean” (poor and unproductive), and whether there is wood, which would indicate good resources. The mention of the “firstripe grapes” shows this was during the early grape harvest, giving a clue about the agricultural cycle and what kind of fruit they might find.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 13:20

  • “Fat” (שְׁמֵנָה, shemenah) means rich or fertile. Moses is asking if the land is abundant and good for growing crops, not just if it looks nice.
  • “Lean” (רָזֶה, razeh) means thin, poor, or lacking. This is the opposite of “fat,” focusing on whether the land could support the people.
  • “Wood” (עֵץ, ‘etz) refers to trees or forested areas. Moses wants to know if there are trees, which would be important for building and resources.
  • “Courage” (חָזַק, chazaq) is a word that means to be strong or to take heart. Moses encourages the spies not to be afraid, hinting that the task might be intimidating.

Why Numbers 13:20 matters

  • Numbers 13:20 shows Moses’ practical concern for the people’s future, focusing on whether the land can truly sustain them, not just its appearance.
  • The verse highlights the importance of courage when facing unknown or challenging tasks, especially when the outcome is uncertain.
  • By mentioning the time of the “firstripe grapes,” the verse grounds the story in a real agricultural setting, reminding readers that these were real people exploring a real land at a specific time.

Where else these words appear

“lean” Hebrew H7330 · used in 2 verses

  • Ezekiel 34:20 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD unto them; Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat cattle and between the lean cattle.

“fat” Hebrew H8082 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 49:20 Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties.
  • Nehemiah 9:25 And they took strong cities, and a fat land, and possessed houses full of all goods, wells digged, vineyards, and oliveyards, and fruit trees in abundance: so they did eat, and were filled, and became fat, and delighted themselves in thy great goodness.
  • Ezekiel 34:14 I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel.

“firstripe” Hebrew H1061 · used in 16 verses

  • Exodus 23:16 And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.
  • Leviticus 23:17 Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the LORD.
  • Nehemiah 10:35 And to bring the firstfruits of our ground, and the firstfruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, unto the house of the LORD:

“grapes” Hebrew H6025 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 40:10 And in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes:
  • Numbers 13:23 And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff; and they brought of the pomegranates, and of the figs.
  • Isaiah 5:2 And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.