And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land.

NUMBERS 13:26KJV
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Numbers 13:26 (KJV)

What does Numbers 13:26 mean?

Numbers 13:26 describes how the Israelite spies returned from exploring Canaan and reported back to Moses, Aaron, and the entire Israelite community in the wilderness of Paran at Kadesh, showing them the fruit they had brought from the land. This verse marks the moment when the spies share what they have seen and experienced in Canaan with all the people.

The setting is just after the twelve spies have completed their mission to scout out the Promised Land. They come back to the leaders—Moses and Aaron—and the whole assembly of Israel, who are camped at Kadesh in the wilderness of Paran. The verse highlights that the spies not only gave a verbal report but also physically showed the people the fruit of the land, giving everyone a tangible glimpse of what awaited them in Canaan.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 13:26

  • "Congregation" (עֵדָה, ʿēdāh): This word refers to the whole community of Israelites, not just a small group. It emphasizes that the report was meant for everyone, not just the leaders.
  • "Fruit" (פְּרִי, pᵉrî): The use of this word points to the actual produce from Canaan, which the spies brought back as evidence. This detail makes the report more vivid and credible to the people.
  • "Word" (דָּבָר, davar): This term often means a message or report, not just a single word. Here, it refers to the full account the spies gave, showing that their report was both spoken and demonstrated with the fruit.

Why Numbers 13:26 matters

  • Numbers 13:26 sets up the dramatic turning point in the story, where the Israelites must decide how to respond to the spies’ report about Canaan.
  • The verse shows that the entire community was involved in hearing the report, highlighting the collective responsibility and reaction that follows.
  • By mentioning the fruit, Numbers 13:26 emphasizes that the land was indeed fruitful, confirming God's earlier promises, and making the later doubts and fears of the people more striking.

Where else these words appear

“Paran” Hebrew H6290 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 21:21 And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran: and his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt.
  • Numbers 13:3 And Moses by the commandment of the LORD sent them from the wilderness of Paran: all those men were heads of the children of Israel.
  • 1 Samuel 25:1 And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran.

“Kadesh” Hebrew H6946 · used in 18 verses

  • Genesis 14:7 And they returned, and came to Enmishpat, which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezontamar.
  • Numbers 20:16 And when we cried unto the LORD, he heard our voice, and sent an angel, and hath brought us forth out of Egypt: and, behold, we are in Kadesh, a city in the uttermost of thy border:
  • Deuteronomy 32:51 Because ye trespassed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah-Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel.

“fruit” Hebrew H6529 · used in 107 verses

  • Genesis 1:11 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.
  • Nehemiah 10:37 And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.
  • Isaiah 37:31 And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward:

“congregation” Hebrew H5712 · used in 140 verses

  • Exodus 12:3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:
  • Numbers 15:25 And the priest shall make an atonement for all the congregation of the children of Israel, and it shall be forgiven them; for it is ignorance: and they shall bring their offering, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD, and their sin offering before the LORD, for their ignorance:
  • Numbers 31:16 Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.