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Numbers 13:23 - Giant grapes reveal land's bounty?

Numbers 13:23 - במדבר 13:23

Hebrew Text

וַיָּבֹאוּ עַד־נַחַל אֶשְׁכֹּל וַיִּכְרְתוּ מִשָּׁם זְמוֹרָה וְאֶשְׁכּוֹל עֲנָבִים אֶחָד וַיִּשָּׂאֻהוּ בַמּוֹט בִּשְׁנָיִם וּמִן־הָרִמֹּנִים וּמִן־הַתְּאֵנִים׃

English Translation

And they came to the wadi of Eshkol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they carried it between two on a pole; and they brought of the pomegranates, and the figs.

Transliteration

Va'yavo'u ad-nachal Eshkol va'yichretu misham z'morah ve'eshlol anavim echad va'yis'uhu bamot bishnayim u-min-ha'rimonim u-min-ha'te'enim.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיָּבֹ֜אוּ עַד־נַ֣חַל אֶשְׁכֹּ֗ל וַיִּכְרְת֨וּ מִשָּׁ֤ם זְמוֹרָה֙ וְאֶשְׁכּ֤וֹל עֲנָבִים֙ אֶחָ֔ד וַיִּשָּׂאֻ֥הוּ בַמּ֖וֹט בִּשְׁנָ֑יִם וּמִן־הָרִמֹּנִ֖ים וּמִן־הַתְּאֵנִֽים׃
וַיָּבֹ֜אוּ עַד־נַ֣חַל אֶשְׁכֹּ֗ל וַיִּכְרְת֨וּ מִשָּׁ֤ם זְמוֹרָה֙ וְאֶשְׁכּ֤וֹל עֲנָבִים֙ אֶחָ֔ד וַיִּשָּׂאֻ֥הוּ בַמּ֖וֹט בִּשְׁנָ֑יִם וּמִן־הָרִמֹּנִ֖ים וּמִן־הַתְּאֵנִֽים׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Significance of the Eshkol Cluster

The verse describes the scouts cutting a single cluster of grapes from Nachal Eshkol, which was so large it required two men to carry it on a pole. Rashi (Bamidbar 13:23) explains that the name "Eshkol" (meaning "cluster") was given retroactively because of this extraordinary cluster of grapes. The Midrash Tanchuma (Shelach 15) adds that this cluster symbolized the exceptional fertility of the land, demonstrating that Eretz Yisrael was indeed a land flowing with "milk and honey" as promised by Hashem.

The Symbolism of the Fruits

The Torah mentions three fruits specifically: grapes, pomegranates, and figs. The Talmud (Sotah 34a) teaches that these fruits were chosen because they represent different aspects of Eretz Yisrael's bounty:

  • Grapes: Symbolized the land's agricultural richness, as wine was a staple of both physical and spiritual life (used for libations in the Beit HaMikdash).
  • Pomegranates: Alluded to the spiritual potential of the land, as our Sages say, "Even the empty ones among you are as full of mitzvot as a pomegranate [is full of seeds]" (Chagigah 27a).
  • Figs: Represented the Torah itself, as King Solomon compared Torah study to the sweetness of figs (Mishlei 27:18).

The Method of Carrying the Cluster

The fact that the cluster required two men to carry it on a pole holds deeper meaning. The Kli Yakar (Bamidbar 13:23) explains that this emphasized the scouts' mistake: instead of focusing on the land's natural blessings, they saw the cluster's size as a sign that the inhabitants must be giants. Had they trusted in Hashem's promise, they would have understood that the large fruit was a sign of divine favor, not an obstacle.

Contrast with the Spies' Report

Ramban (Bamidbar 13:27) notes the irony that the very fruits meant to demonstrate the land's goodness were later cited by the spies as evidence of its danger ("a land that consumes its inhabitants"). This teaches that the same facts can be interpreted differently based on one's faith in Hashem. The righteous (like Yehoshua and Calev) saw the fruits as proof of divine blessing, while the others allowed fear to distort their perception.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 34a
The verse is referenced in the discussion about the spies who brought back the cluster of grapes from the land of Canaan, illustrating the fertility of the land.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the significance of the cluster of grapes in Numbers 13:23?
A: The large cluster of grapes carried by the spies symbolized the extraordinary fertility of the Land of Israel. Rashi explains that this was a sign of the land's blessedness, as it took two men to carry a single cluster. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 16:7) adds that the grapes were so large that their juice could fill a barrel.
Q: Why did the spies bring back figs and pomegranates along with the grapes?
A: The Torah mentions figs and pomegranates to show the variety of the land's produce. Ramban explains that these were the first fruits to ripen in the summer season. The Talmud (Sotah 34a) notes that the pomegranates were particularly noteworthy because they were exceptionally large and sweet, further demonstrating the land's bounty.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the spies carrying the fruit on a pole?
A: The fact that the fruit had to be carried on a pole between two people teaches us about the exceptional quality of the Land of Israel. Rashi emphasizes that this was not an ordinary cluster of grapes, but one of miraculous size. This reminds us of Hashem's promise that Israel is 'a land flowing with milk and honey' (Exodus 3:8), and encourages us to appreciate its special holiness and abundance.