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Numbers 13:32 - Slander dooms the spies.

Numbers 13:32 - במדבר 13:32

Hebrew Text

וַיּוֹצִיאוּ דִּבַּת הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר תָּרוּ אֹתָהּ אֶל־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לֵאמֹר הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר עָבַרְנוּ בָהּ לָתוּר אֹתָהּ אֶרֶץ אֹכֶלֶת יוֹשְׁבֶיהָ הִוא וְכָל־הָעָם אֲשֶׁר־רָאִינוּ בְתוֹכָהּ אַנְשֵׁי מִדּוֹת׃

English Translation

And they spread an evil report of the land which they had spied out to the children of Yisra᾽el, saying, The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that eats up its inhabitants; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature.

Transliteration

Vayotzi'u dibat ha'aretz asher taru otah el-bnei yisrael lemor ha'aretz asher avarnu vah latur otah eretz ochelet yoshveha hi v'khol-ha'am asher-ra'inu v'tokhah anshei midot.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּצִ֜יאוּ דִּבַּ֤ת הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תָּר֣וּ אֹתָ֔הּ אֶל־בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לֵאמֹ֑ר הָאָ֡רֶץ אֲשֶׁר֩ עָבַ֨רְנוּ בָ֜הּ לָת֣וּר אֹתָ֗הּ אֶ֣רֶץ אֹכֶ֤לֶת יוֹשְׁבֶ֙יהָ֙ הִ֔וא וְכׇל־הָעָ֛ם אֲשֶׁר־רָאִ֥ינוּ בְתוֹכָ֖הּ אַנְשֵׁ֥י מִדּֽוֹת׃
וַיֹּצִ֜יאוּ דִּבַּ֤ת הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תָּר֣וּ אֹתָ֔הּ אֶל־בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לֵאמֹ֑ר הָאָ֡רֶץ אֲשֶׁר֩ עָבַ֨רְנוּ בָ֜הּ לָת֣וּר אֹתָ֗הּ אֶ֣רֶץ אֹכֶ֤לֶת יוֹשְׁבֶ֙יהָ֙ הִ֔וא וְכׇל־הָעָ֛ם אֲשֶׁר־רָאִ֥ינוּ בְתוֹכָ֖הּ אַנְשֵׁ֥י מִדּֽוֹת׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Sin of the Spies

The verse describes how the meraglim (spies) returned with a negative report about Eretz Yisrael, claiming it was "a land that eats its inhabitants." Rashi (Bamidbar 13:32) explains that they witnessed many funerals during their journey, which they interpreted as a sign that the land was dangerous. However, the Midrash (Tanchuma, Shelach 7) reveals that this was actually Hashem's kindness—He caused the Canaanites to be preoccupied with mourning so they would not notice the spies.

Distortion of the Truth

The spies' report was a deliberate distortion (dibah). Ramban (Bamidbar 13:27) notes that they began with factual observations (the land's fertility) but then exaggerated its dangers. The Talmud (Sotah 35a) states that they sinned by adding the phrase "eats its inhabitants," which was not part of their original mission. This demonstrates the severity of lashon hara (evil speech), as it leads to greater sins.

The Giants in the Land

When the spies described the inhabitants as anshei midot (men of great stature), they instilled fear. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 16:11) explains that they saw the Nephilim (giants), descendants of the generation of the flood, to intimidate Bnei Yisrael. However, as the Chofetz Chaim teaches, their focus on physical obstacles reflected a lack of bitachon (trust in Hashem), Who had already promised them the land.

Lessons for Today

  • Emunah in Hashem's Promises: The spies failed to internalize that Hashem would fulfill His promise, regardless of natural obstacles (Rambam, Hilchot De'ot 3:11).
  • Danger of Negative Speech: Their lashon hara caused a national tragedy, teaching how destructive negative speech can be (Talmud, Arachin 15b).
  • Seeing the Positive: Yehoshua and Calev countered the report by focusing on the land's goodness, modeling how to maintain faith amid challenges (Sifrei, Shelach 15).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 35a
The verse is discussed in the context of the spies' evil report about the land of Israel, illustrating their lack of faith and the consequences of their actions.
📖 Arakhin 15a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the severity of spreading evil reports (lashon hara) and its impact on the community.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'a land that eats up its inhabitants' mean in Numbers 13:32?
A: According to Rashi, the spies claimed that the land of Canaan was dangerous and inhospitable, causing many deaths. They exaggerated by saying the land 'eats up its inhabitants,' implying it was unsuitable for settlement. The Midrash (Tanchuma Shelach 7) explains that they saw many funerals during their journey, which they misinterpreted as a sign of the land's deadly nature, when in reality, Hashem had arranged this to distract the Canaanites from noticing the spies.
Q: Why did the spies describe the people as 'men of great stature'?
A: The spies wanted to discourage the Israelites from entering the land by making the inhabitants seem invincible. Rashi explains that they described them as 'anashai midot' (men of great stature) to imply they were giants, like the descendants of Anak (Numbers 13:22). This was a distortion of the truth, as Yehoshua (Joshua) and Calev later affirmed that with Hashem's help, Bnei Yisrael could conquer the land despite the inhabitants' size.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the evil report of the spies?
A: The Talmud (Sotah 35a) teaches that speaking negatively (lashon hara) has severe consequences, as seen by the punishment of the spies and the generation that believed them. This episode emphasizes the importance of trusting in Hashem and avoiding fear-mongering or spreading false reports. The Rambam (Hilchot De'ot 7:1-2) also highlights the ethical obligation to speak truthfully and avoid exaggeration that causes unnecessary fear.
Q: How does this verse relate to Jewish faith in Hashem?
A: The spies' lack of faith contrasts with the trust in Hashem that Bnei Yisrael should have had. As the Ramban explains, the miracles of Yetziat Mitzrayim (the Exodus) should have assured them that Hashem would help them conquer the land. This story serves as a warning against allowing fear to override emunah (faith) in divine protection and promises.