share torah logo

Numbers 13:27 - Land's bounty, spies' report?

Numbers 13:27 - במדבר 13:27

Hebrew Text

וַיְסַפְּרוּ־לוֹ וַיֹּאמְרוּ בָּאנוּ אֶל־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר שְׁלַחְתָּנוּ וְגַם זָבַת חָלָב וּדְבַשׁ הִוא וְזֶה־פִּרְיָהּ׃

English Translation

And they told him, and said, We came to the land where thou didst send us, and indeed it flows with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it.

Transliteration

Vay'sapru-lo vayom'ru banu el-ha'aretz asher sh'lachtanu v'gam zavat chalav udvash hi v'zeh-piryah.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיְסַפְּרוּ־לוֹ֙ וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ בָּ֕אנוּ אֶל־הָאָ֖רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֣ר שְׁלַחְתָּ֑נוּ וְ֠גַ֠ם זָבַ֨ת חָלָ֥ב וּדְבַ֛שׁ הִ֖וא וְזֶה־פִּרְיָֽהּ׃
וַיְסַפְּרוּ־לוֹ֙ וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ בָּ֕אנוּ אֶל־הָאָ֖רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֣ר שְׁלַחְתָּ֑נוּ וְ֠גַ֠ם זָבַ֨ת חָלָ֥ב וּדְבַ֛שׁ הִ֖וא וְזֶה־פִּרְיָֽהּ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Report of the Spies in Bamidbar 13:27

The verse describes the initial report of the meraglim (spies) upon returning from their mission to scout Eretz Yisrael. While their words appear positive on the surface, our commentators reveal deeper layers of meaning and intent.

Rashi's Insight on "Zavat Chalav U'Dvash"

Rashi (Bamidbar 13:27) notes that the phrase "flows with milk and honey" appears to be praise, but the spies were actually hinting at negative implications. He explains:

  • The milk flows from goats' udders directly into the honey (date syrup) in the fields, suggesting an unsettled land where animals roam freely without proper shepherding.
  • This was a subtle way to imply the land was not properly cultivated or civilized.

Ramban's Additional Perspective

Ramban (Bamidbar 13:27) provides a different dimension:

  • The spies were acknowledging the land's physical bounty while simultaneously doubting their ability to conquer it.
  • By showing the enormous fruit (in the following verses), they suggested the land's inhabitants must be giants to produce such fruit, instilling fear.

Talmudic Interpretation in Sotah 35a

The Talmud analyzes the spies' wording:

  • "We came to the land" - implying they felt like strangers there, not future residents.
  • "Where you sent us" - subtly shifting blame to Moshe for sending them on this mission.
  • The praise of the land's fertility was actually meant to highlight the difficulty of conquering such a rich land with strong inhabitants.

Midrash Tanchuma's Teaching

Midrash Tanchuma (Shelach 5) emphasizes:

  • The spies showed the fruit but not the land's spiritual qualities.
  • They focused on physical challenges rather than the Divine promise of conquest.
  • Their report began positively but was setting up for their later negative conclusions.

Kli Yakar's Psychological Analysis

Kli Yakar (Bamidbar 13:27) explains the spies' methodology:

  • They used the technique of "opening with praise" to make their later rebellion more palatable.
  • By first acknowledging the land's goodness, they appeared more credible when later describing its challenges.
  • This reflects a common tactic of the yetzer hara (evil inclination) to mix truth with falsehood.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 35a
The verse is cited in the discussion about the spies' report of the Land of Israel, emphasizing the description of the land as flowing with milk and honey.
📖 Ketubot 111b
The verse is referenced in the context of the virtues and blessings of the Land of Israel, highlighting its fertility and abundance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'a land flowing with milk and honey' mean in Numbers 13:27?
A: The phrase 'a land flowing with milk and honey' is a description of the Land of Israel's abundance and fertility. According to Rashi, 'milk' refers to the richness of the land's pastures (producing ample milk from livestock), and 'honey' refers to the sweetness of dates and figs (the primary sources of honey in biblical times). This emphasizes the land's suitability for sustaining the Jewish people.
Q: Why did the spies bring back fruit from the land in Numbers 13:27?
A: The spies brought back fruit to physically demonstrate the land's fertility, as described in the verse. The Talmud (Sotah 34a) explains that this was to show the exceptional quality of the land—some of the fruits were so large that it took multiple men to carry a single cluster of grapes (as mentioned later in the narrative). This was meant to inspire the people with the land's blessings.
Q: What is the significance of the spies' report in Numbers 13:27?
A: The initial part of the spies' report in this verse highlights the land's goodness, fulfilling G-d's promise of a fertile and abundant homeland for the Jewish people. However, as the story continues, their lack of faith leads them to exaggerate the challenges. The verse sets up the contrast between the land's physical blessings and the spiritual test of trusting in G-d's promise.
Q: How does the description of Israel as 'flowing with milk and honey' apply today?
A: The description remains a foundational concept in Judaism, emphasizing the unique spiritual and physical qualities of the Land of Israel. The Rambam (Hilchot Melachim) teaches that living in Israel holds special mitzvot and opportunities for spiritual growth. Even today, the land's agricultural abundance (like its modern dairy and fruit industries) reflects this biblical promise.