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Numbers 13:33 - Giants' fear dwarfed faith?

Numbers 13:33 - במדבר 13:33

Hebrew Text

וְשָׁם רָאִינוּ אֶת־הַנְּפִילִים בְּנֵי עֲנָק מִן־הַנְּפִלִים וַנְּהִי בְעֵינֵינוּ כַּחֲגָבִים וְכֵן הָיִינוּ בְּעֵינֵיהֶם׃

English Translation

And there we saw the Nefilim, the sons of ῾Anaq who come of the Nefilim: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.

Transliteration

V'sham ra'inu et-han'filim b'nei anak min-han'filim van'hi v'eineinu kachagavim v'chen hayinu b'eineihem.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְשָׁ֣ם רָאִ֗ינוּ אֶת־הַנְּפִילִ֛ים בְּנֵ֥י עֲנָ֖ק מִן־הַנְּפִלִ֑ים וַנְּהִ֤י בְעֵינֵ֙ינוּ֙ כַּֽחֲגָבִ֔ים וְכֵ֥ן הָיִ֖ינוּ בְּעֵינֵיהֶֽם׃
וְשָׁ֣ם רָאִ֗ינוּ אֶת־הַנְּפִילִ֛ים בְּנֵ֥י עֲנָ֖ק מִן־הַנְּפִלִ֑ים וַנְּהִ֤י בְעֵינֵ֙ינוּ֙ כַּֽחֲגָבִ֔ים וְכֵ֥ן הָיִ֖ינוּ בְּעֵינֵיהֶֽם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Nefilim and Bnei Anak

The verse describes the spies' report about encountering the Nefilim and Bnei Anak (sons of Anak) in the land of Canaan. Rashi (Bamidbar 13:33) explains that the term Nefilim refers to giants, deriving from the root nafal (to fall), as they caused fear and trembling in those who saw them. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 16:11) connects them to the fallen angels mentioned in Bereishit 6:4, suggesting they were descendants of the angelic beings who intermingled with humanity before the Flood.

The Psychological Impact on the Spies

The spies describe feeling like grasshoppers in their own eyes and in the eyes of the Nefilim. Ramban (Bamidbar 13:33) emphasizes that this was a projection of their own fear—since they saw themselves as insignificant, the inhabitants of the land perceived them the same way. The Talmud (Sotah 35a) teaches that this was a failure of faith, as Hashem had promised them the land, yet they allowed their insecurities to distort reality.

The Sin of the Spies

The spies' report reflects a lack of trust in Hashem's promise. The Midrash Tanchuma (Shelach 7) states that their comparison to grasshoppers was an exaggeration meant to instill fear in Bnei Yisrael. The Maharal (Gur Aryeh, Bamidbar 13:33) explains that their mistake was viewing the conquest of the land as dependent on their own strength rather than Divine assistance.

Lessons in Emunah (Faith)

This episode serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of self-doubt and forgetting Hashem's power. The Kli Yakar (Bamidbar 13:33) notes that the spies' statement "and so we were in their sight" was speculative—they had no way of knowing how the Nefilim truly perceived them. This teaches that fear and negativity often stem from our own perceptions rather than objective reality.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 34b
The verse is discussed in the context of the spies' report about the land of Canaan, emphasizing their fear and the perception of themselves as grasshoppers compared to the inhabitants.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who are the Nefilim mentioned in Numbers 13:33?
A: The Nefilim were a race of giants descended from the 'sons of Anak' (Bnei Anak). According to Rashi and Midrashic sources, they were descendants of the fallen angels (based on Genesis 6:4) or mighty warriors. The spies described them as intimidating giants when scouting the Land of Israel.
Q: Why did the spies compare themselves to grasshoppers?
A: The spies felt small and powerless compared to the Nefilim, both physically and spiritually. Rashi explains that this reflected their lack of faith in Hashem's promise to give them the land. Their negative self-perception ('in our own sight') influenced how the Nefilim viewed them ('in their sight'), showing that fear can become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the spies calling themselves grasshoppers?
A: The Talmud (Sotah 35a) teaches that the spies' mistake was focusing on their own weakness rather than trusting in Hashem's power. This teaches us the importance of bitachon (trust in G-d) and avoiding negative speech that discourages others. Their lack of faith led to the 40 years of wandering in the desert.
Q: Were the Nefilim literally giants?
A: Traditional Jewish sources like Ibn Ezra and Ramban explain that while the Nefilim were unusually tall and powerful (as implied by the comparison to grasshoppers), the main issue was the spies' exaggerated fear. The Midrash Tanchuma suggests their 'giant' stature was more about their reputation than actual physical size.
Q: How does this verse relate to Jewish identity today?
A: This teaches that when Jews see themselves as insignificant ('grasshoppers'), others will treat them that way. The Lubavitcher Rebbe emphasized that true Jewish strength comes from recognizing our spiritual mission. Just as Joshua and Caleb had faith, we must face challenges with confidence in our heritage and G-d's protection.