Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there.

NUMBERS 13:28KJV
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Numbers 13:28 (KJV)

What does Numbers 13:28 mean?

Numbers 13:28 reports that the people living in the land the Israelite spies explored were strong, their cities were large and fortified, and the spies saw descendants of Anak there. The verse highlights the intimidating obstacles the Israelites faced as described by the spies.

The speaker here is one of the Israelite spies, reporting back to Moses and the people after scouting the land of Canaan. The spies are describing what they saw: powerful inhabitants, impressive fortified cities, and the presence of the children of Anak, who were known for their great size. This report sets the stage for the Israelites’ fear and hesitation about entering the land.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 13:28

  • "Strong" (עָז H5794, 'az): This word often describes not just physical strength, but also power or might. Here, it emphasizes that the inhabitants seemed formidable and not easily overcome.
  • "Walled" (בָּצוּר H1219, batsur): This term means fortified or protected by walls. The mention of walled cities suggests advanced defenses, making conquest seem even more difficult.
  • "Children" (יֶלֶד H3211, yeled) and "Anak" (עֲנָק H6061, 'Anak): The "children of Anak" refers to a group reputed for their size and strength, which would have made the spies’ report even more alarming to their listeners.

Why Numbers 13:28 matters

  • Numbers 13:28 explains why the Israelites became afraid and hesitant to enter Canaan, showing that their fear was based on real, visible challenges.
  • The verse highlights the spies’ focus on obstacles rather than possibilities, which becomes a key turning point in the story of Israel’s journey.
  • Understanding the mention of the "children of Anak" helps clarify why the people’s fear was so intense, as these figures were legendary for their size and strength in ancient tradition.

Where else these words appear

“Anak” Hebrew H6061 · used in 8 verses

  • Numbers 13:22 And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were.(Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)
  • Deuteronomy 9:2 A people great and tall, the children of the Anakims, whom thou knowest, and of whom thou hast heard say, Who can stand before the children of Anak!
  • Joshua 15:14 And Caleb drove thence the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak.

“children” Hebrew H3211 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 14:14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
  • Genesis 17:27 And all the men of his house, born in the house, and bought with money of the stranger, were circumcised with him.
  • 2 Samuel 21:16 And Ishbibenob, which was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David.

“strong” Hebrew H5794 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 49:3 Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:
  • 2 Samuel 22:18 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me.
  • Song of Solomon 8:6 Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.

“walled” Hebrew H1219 · used in 38 verses

  • Genesis 11:6 And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
  • 2 Kings 19:25 Hast thou not heard long ago how I have done it, and of ancient times that I have formed it? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste fenced cities into ruinous heaps.
  • Isaiah 36:1 Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah, that Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the defenced cities of Judah, and took them.