Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does Numbers 13:28 mean?
A: Numbers 13:28 is part of the report given by the spies sent by Moshe (Moses) to scout the Land of Israel. The spies describe the land's inhabitants as strong, the cities as heavily fortified, and mention seeing the 'children of Anak' (giants). Rashi explains that this report was meant to discourage Bnei Yisrael (the Israelites) from entering the land, highlighting the challenges rather than trusting in Hashem's promise.
Q: Who were the 'children of Anak' mentioned in Numbers 13:28?
A: The 'children of Anak' (Bnei Anak) were a race of giants who lived in the Land of Israel at that time. According to the Midrash, they were descendants of the Nephilim (mentioned in Bereishit 6:4) and were known for their enormous size and strength. Their presence was meant to intimidate Bnei Yisrael, testing their faith in Hashem's ability to help them conquer the land.
Q: Why did the spies focus on the challenges in Numbers 13:28?
A: The spies focused on the challenges—the strong people, fortified cities, and giants—because they lacked faith in Hashem's promise to give them the land. As Ramban explains, their mistake was judging the situation based on human logic rather than trusting in divine assistance. This led to fear and rebellion among Bnei Yisrael, delaying their entry into the land for 40 years.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Numbers 13:28 today?
A: The verse teaches us the importance of trust in Hashem (bitachon) and avoiding negative speech (lashon hara). The spies' report discouraged the people because they focused on obstacles instead of Hashem's promises. Today, we learn to face challenges with faith and to speak positively, recognizing that Hashem guides us even in difficult situations.
Q: How do Jewish sources interpret the 'fortified cities' in Numbers 13:28?
A: Rashi and other commentators explain that the 'fortified cities' (ערים בצורות) were not just physically strong but also spiritually significant. The Talmud (Sotah 35a) suggests that the spies exaggerated their description to instill fear. The cities' strength was real, but with faith, Bnei Yisrael could have overcome them—as they later did under Yehoshua (Joshua).
Context in the Torah
This verse (Bamidbar 13:28) is part of the report given by the meraglim (spies) upon returning from scouting Eretz Canaan. The majority of the spies express fear and doubt about the Israelites' ability to conquer the land, emphasizing the strength of its inhabitants and the formidable nature of their cities.
Grammatical and Literal Analysis
The word אֶפֶס ("but" or "however") introduces a contrast to the initial positive description of the land's fertility in the previous verses. The spies acknowledge the land's goodness but immediately focus on obstacles:
The Children of Anak
The mention of יְלִדֵי הָעֲנָק (children of Anak) carries particular significance:
Theological Implications
The Netziv (Ha'amek Davar) observes that the spies' report reflects a fundamental lack of bitachon (trust in Hashem). By focusing on physical obstacles rather than Divine promise, they demonstrated misplaced priorities: