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Numbers 13:31 - Fear overrides faith.

Numbers 13:31 - במדבר 13:31

Hebrew Text

וְהָאֲנָשִׁים אֲשֶׁר־עָלוּ עִמּוֹ אָמְרוּ לֹא נוּכַל לַעֲלוֹת אֶל־הָעָם כִּי־חָזָק הוּא מִמֶּנּוּ׃

English Translation

But the men who went up with him said, We are not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.

Transliteration

Veha'anashim asher-alu imo amru lo nuchal la'alot el-ha'am ki-chazak hu mimenu.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהָ֨אֲנָשִׁ֜ים אֲשֶׁר־עָל֤וּ עִמּוֹ֙ אָֽמְר֔וּ לֹ֥א נוּכַ֖ל לַעֲל֣וֹת אֶל־הָעָ֑ם כִּֽי־חָזָ֥ק ה֖וּא מִמֶּֽנּוּ׃
וְהָ֨אֲנָשִׁ֜ים אֲשֶׁר־עָל֤וּ עִמּוֹ֙ אָֽמְר֔וּ לֹ֥א נוּכַ֖ל לַעֲל֣וֹת אֶל־הָעָ֑ם כִּֽי־חָזָ֥ק ה֖וּא מִמֶּֽנּוּ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

This verse (Numbers 13:31) appears in the narrative of the Meraglim (the Spies), who were sent by Moshe to scout the Land of Canaan. Ten of the twelve spies returned with a negative report, discouraging Bnei Yisrael from entering the land, saying, "We are not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we."

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (on Numbers 13:31) explains that the spies' statement, "כִּי־חָזָק הוּא מִמֶּנּוּ" ("for they are stronger than we"), implies a comparison not just in physical strength but in spiritual terms. The spies claimed that the inhabitants of the land were under divine protection, as if saying, "Even the Master (Hashem) cannot remove them from there." This distorted perception demonstrated a lack of faith in Hashem's promise to give them the land.

Rambam's Perspective on Fear and Faith

Rambam (Maimonides) in Hilchot De'ot discusses how fear and lack of trust in Hashem can lead to distorted judgments. The spies' report stemmed from their own fear and lack of belief in divine assistance, despite witnessing miracles in Egypt and the wilderness. Their failure was not just military but moral—they doubted Hashem's power.

Midrashic Interpretation

The Midrash (Tanchuma, Shelach 7) elaborates that the spies slandered the land by saying, "אֶרֶץ אֹכֶלֶת יוֹשְׁבֶיהָ הִוא" ("It is a land that consumes its inhabitants"), implying it was inhospitable. Their claim that the inhabitants were "stronger than we" was a self-fulfilling prophecy—their lack of faith weakened them spiritually, making the enemy seem invincible.

Lessons from the Talmud

The Talmud (Sotah 35a) states that the spies' sin was speaking ill of Eretz Yisrael, which caused the nation to weep unnecessarily on Tisha B'Av. This event became a prototype of how lashon hara (evil speech) and lack of faith can lead to national tragedy.

  • Lack of Emunah (Faith): The spies failed to internalize that Hashem would fight their battles.
  • Distorted Perception: They saw giants and fortified cities but ignored the land's divine promise.
  • Consequences: Their report led to 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.

Chassidic Insight

The Baal Shem Tov teaches that the spies' mistake was viewing the land through a physical lens rather than a spiritual one. Had they trusted in Hashem, they would have seen the land's holiness and its suitability for Bnei Yisrael.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 35a
The verse is referenced in the discussion about the spies who brought back a negative report about the land of Canaan, illustrating their lack of faith and the consequences of their actions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Numbers 13:31 mean?
A: Numbers 13:31 describes the report of the spies (except for Yehoshua and Calev) who returned from scouting the Land of Israel. They claimed that the inhabitants were too strong for Bnei Yisrael to conquer, expressing fear and lack of faith in Hashem's promise to give them the land.
Q: Why is Numbers 13:31 important?
A: This verse is important because it marks a pivotal moment where the majority of the spies displayed a lack of trust in Hashem, leading to the nation's punishment of wandering in the desert for 40 years. It teaches the consequences of fear and lack of faith in divine promises.
Q: What can we learn from Numbers 13:31?
A: We learn the importance of trusting in Hashem even when challenges seem insurmountable. The spies focused on human strength rather than divine assistance, which Rashi explains as a failure to recognize that with Hashem's help, no obstacle is too great. This teaches us to strengthen our faith during difficult times.
Q: How does Numbers 13:31 apply today?
A: Today, this verse reminds us to face challenges with emunah (faith) and bitachon (trust) in Hashem. Just as the spies' fear led to negative consequences, we must avoid letting fear paralyze us and instead rely on Hashem's guidance in our personal and communal struggles.
Q: Who were the men speaking in Numbers 13:31?
A: The men speaking in this verse were ten of the twelve spies sent by Moshe to scout the Land of Israel. According to Rashi and the Talmud (Sotah 35a), their negative report reflected their lack of faith, in contrast to Yehoshua and Calev, who trusted in Hashem's promise.