For when they went up unto the valley of Eshcol, and saw the land, they discouraged the heart of the children of Israel, that they should not go into the land which the LORD had given them.

NUMBERS 32:9KJV
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Numbers 32:9 (KJV)

What does Numbers 32:9 mean?

Numbers 32:9 describes how, when some Israelites went up to the valley of Eshcol and saw the land, they discouraged the rest of the Israelites from entering the land that the LORD had given them. Because of this discouragement, the people hesitated to move forward into the promised land.

This verse refers to the incident when the Israelite spies explored Canaan and reported back to the people. Moses is recalling how their negative report caused fear and doubt among the Israelites, leading them to resist entering the land God had promised. The verse highlights the powerful effect of words and attitudes on a community’s willingness to trust and act.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 32:9

  • The word for "discouraged" is וַיְנִיאוּ (vay'ni'u, from נוּא, nu), which means to turn aside or cause to lose heart. This goes beyond just making someone sad; it suggests actively turning people away from their purpose.
  • "Heart" is לֵב (lev), which in Hebrew often refers to the inner self, including thoughts, will, and courage—not just emotions. Here, it means the Israelites lost their resolve and confidence.
  • The word for "given" is נָתַן (natan), which means to give or grant. The verse stresses that the land was already given by the LORD (יהוה, YHWH), so the people's hesitation was not about the land’s quality, but about trusting God’s gift.

Why Numbers 32:9 matters

  • Numbers 32:9 clarifies that the Israelites’ refusal to enter the land was not just a lack of enthusiasm, but a direct result of discouragement from their own leaders, showing the influence of leadership and group dynamics.
  • The verse connects back to the story in Numbers 13–14, helping readers understand why the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years—it was rooted in this moment of lost confidence and trust.
  • By emphasizing that the land was already "given" by the LORD, the verse highlights the contrast between God’s promise and the people’s response, underlining a key theme of trust and obedience in the book of Numbers.

Where else these words appear

“Eshcol” Hebrew H812 · used in 6 verses

  • Genesis 14:13 And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram.
  • Genesis 14:24 Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.
  • Numbers 13:24 The place was called the brook Eshcol, because of the cluster of grapes which the children of Israel cut down from thence.

“discouraged” Hebrew H5106 · used in 7 verses

  • Numbers 30:5 But if her father disallow her in the day that he heareth; not any of her vows, or of her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul, shall stand: and the LORD shall forgive her, because her father disallowed her.
  • Numbers 30:11 And her husband heard it, and held his peace at her, and disallowed her not: then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she bound her soul shall stand.
  • Psalms 33:10 The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.

“valley” Hebrew H5158 · used in 123 verses

  • Genesis 26:17 And Isaac departed thence, and pitched his tent in the valley of Gerar, and dwelt there.
  • Judges 5:21 The river of Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. O my soul, thou hast trodden down strength.
  • Job 28:4 The flood breaketh out from the inhabitant; even the waters forgotten of the foot: they are dried up, they are gone away from men.