And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature.

NUMBERS 13:32KJV
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Numbers 13:32 (KJV)

What does Numbers 13:32 mean?

Numbers 13:32 describes how the spies who explored Canaan brought back a negative and frightening report to the Israelites, claiming the land was dangerous and that its people were unusually large and strong. The verse shows the spies trying to discourage the Israelites from entering the land by exaggerating its dangers.

The setting is after twelve Israelite spies have returned from scouting the land of Canaan. Ten of the spies are speaking to the rest of the Israelites, sharing their observations. Instead of encouraging faith, they focus on the difficulties, saying the land "eateth up the inhabitants"—a way of saying it is harsh or deadly—and that the people there are giants, making the task seem impossible.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 13:32

  • "Report" (דִּבָּה, dibbah): This word often means a bad or slanderous report, not just a neutral message. The spies are not simply sharing facts but are spreading discouragement and fear.
  • "Eateth up" (אָכַל, akhal): This verb means "to eat" or "consume." Here, it paints a vivid picture of the land as being so harsh or dangerous that it destroys those who live there, adding to the sense of dread.
  • "Stature" (קוֹמָה, qomah): This word refers to physical height or size. The spies emphasize the extraordinary size of the people in Canaan, making them seem unbeatable.

Why Numbers 13:32 matters

  • Numbers 13:32 highlights how fear and negativity can spread quickly and influence a whole community, especially when leaders exaggerate dangers.
  • The verse helps explain why the Israelites later refuse to enter the land, showing how the spies’ words shape the nation’s response.
  • Understanding the strong language used by the spies reveals how their report was not just cautious but deliberately discouraging, setting the stage for the Israelites’ lack of trust in God’s promise.

Where else these words appear

“report” Hebrew H1681 · used in 9 verses

  • Genesis 37:2 These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.
  • Numbers 14:37 Even those men that did bring up the evil report upon the land, died by the plague before the LORD.
  • Proverbs 25:10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.

“searched” Hebrew H8446 · used in 22 verses

  • Numbers 10:33 And they departed from the mount of the LORD three days' journey: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days' journey, to search out a resting place for them.
  • Numbers 14:7 And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land.
  • 1 Kings 10:15 Beside that he had of the merchantmen, and of the traffick of the spice merchants, and of all the kings of Arabia, and of the governors of the country.

“stature” Hebrew H4060 · used in 53 verses

  • Exodus 26:2 The length of one curtain shall be eight and twenty cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: and every one of the curtains shall have one measure.
  • Nehemiah 3:21 After him repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah the son of Koz another piece, from the door of the house of Eliashib even to the end of the house of Eliashib.
  • Ezekiel 40:28 And he brought me to the inner court by the south gate: and he measured the south gate according to these measures;