Deuteronomy 1:28
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The spies didn't just say the people were "greater and taller," they used that very phrase to describe the land itself. Their fear wasn't just about opposition; it was about the very nature of the place—imposing, insurmountable, and ultimately, a territory too formidable for them to even consider entering.
Where are we going up? Our brothers have made our hearts melt, saying, “The people are greater and taller than we. The cities are great and fortified up to heaven. And besides, we have seen the sons of the Anakim there.”’
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Israelites have just arrived at the border of the Promised Land after 40 years in the wilderness, but instead of celebrating, they are gripped by fear. This fear is articulated by the people who have heard discouraging reports from their own "brothers"—meaning fellow Israelites—who are magnifying the perceived strength of the Canaanite inhabitants, their massive walled cities, and the terrifying giants known as the Anakim. This verse captures their anxious question and the terrifying, exaggerated reasons they've been given for why they shouldn't go in.
Have you ever felt like the odds were stacked against you, and the challenges seemed too big to overcome? The Israelites standing at the edge of the Promised Land felt this intensely.
The people's response, 'Where are we going up? Our brethren have made our hearts melt,' shows a complete surrender to fear.
The Power of Discouragement
The Israelites saw giants and massive walls. But did they forget Who was leading them? This verse is a stark reminder of what happens when we focus on the obstacles instead of the One who overcomes them.
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The people’s fear was so powerful that it overshadowed God's past faithfulness and His promises for the future.
Losing Sight of God
Understand the original words
masas · Hebrew Verb
Refers to a state of being disheartened, terrified, or losing all courage. It is the opposite of the boldness and confidence that comes from trusting in God's promises.
Anaqim · Hebrew Noun
A legendary group of people described as giants in the Bible. Their presence symbolized human impossibility and the need for divine intervention to overcome enemies of God's people.
The fear expressed in Deuteronomy 1:28 isn't just about physical obstacles; it's a deep-seated spiritual failure. This generation, having witnessed God's mighty acts in Egypt and the wilderness, still allowed fear of human strength and imposing cities to paralyze their faith, proving they hadn't truly learned to trust the God who fought for them.
~1440 BC
Exodus from Egypt
After 400 years of slavery, God miraculously delivers the Israelites from Egyptian bondage, leading them through the Red Sea on dry ground.
~1440 BC
Wilderness Wandering Begins
The Israelites begin their 40-year journey through the Sinai wilderness, sustained by God's provision of manna and water. This period is marked by numerous tests of faith and obedience.
c. 1400 BC
Spies Sent into Canaan
After reaching the borders of the Promised Land, Moses sends twelve spies to scout the territory. They explore for 40 days, observing the land's fertility and its inhabitants.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Spies' Report and Discouragement
Ten of the twelve spies return with a frightening report: the land is rich, but its people are strong giants (Anakites) living in impenetrable, towering cities. This report instills fear and despair in the Israelites.
c. 1400 BC
Israel's Rebellion and Sentence
The people rebel against God's command to enter Canaan, swayed by the fearful report. As a consequence, God decrees that this generation will wander in the wilderness for 40 years until they all perish, except for Caleb and Joshua.
c. 1400 BC
Attempted Advance into Canaan
Despite God's judgment, a portion of the Israelites attempt to advance into the hill country of Canaan against God's explicit command and without Moses or the Ark. They are decisively defeated by the Canaanites and Amalekites.
This passage directly mirrors the spies' report of the inhabitants and cities of Canaan, highlighting the same fears of a physically imposing people and heavily fortified cities.
Joshua 14:8Caleb recounts his own experience and refers to his brothers (the other spies) melting the hearts of the people, directly echoing the sentiment and phrasing in Deuteronomy 1:28.
Judges 1:20This verse mentions that the land was given to Judah, and they drove out the inhabitants, but the Anakim were not driven out, indicating that the fear of them was a long-standing issue, even after initial conquest attempts.
Psalm 106:24This psalm reflects on Israel's past rebellion, specifically mentioning how they 'despised the pleasant land, they did not believe his word,' which directly relates to their fearful response described in Deuteronomy 1:28.
Hebrews 3:12This New Testament passage warns believers against having an 'evil, unbelieving heart' that turns away from the living God, drawing a parallel to the faithlessness of the Israelites in Deuteronomy who allowed fear to dictate their actions.
bensonDeuteronomy 1:28: "Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there."
Deuteronomy 1:28 . The people is greater — In number, and strength, and valour. The cities are great, and walled up to heaven — An hyperbole, signifying that their cities were fenced with very high walls, which Moses himself allows to be true, Deuteronomy 9:1 .…
wesleyDeuteronomy 1:28: "Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there."
1:28 Greater - In number and strength and valour.
The spies didn't just say the people were "greater and taller," they used that very phrase to describe the land itself. Their fear wasn't just about opposition; it was about the very nature of the place—imposing, insurmountable, and ultimately, a territory too formidable for them to even consider entering.
The Israelites have just arrived at the border of the Promised Land after 40 years in the wilderness, but instead of celebrating, they are gripped by fear. This fear is articulated by the people who have heard discouraging reports from their own "brothers"—meaning fellow Israelites—who are magnifying the perceived strength of the Canaanite inhabitants, their massive walled cities, and the terrifying giants known as the Anakim. This verse captures their anxious question and the terrifying, exaggerated reasons they've been given for why they shouldn't go in.
The Israelites have just arrived at the border of the Promised Land after 40 years in the wilderness, but instead of celebrating, they are gripped by fear. This fear is articulated by the people who have heard discouraging reports from their own "brothers"—meaning fellow Israelites—who are magnifying the perceived strength of the Canaanite inhabitants, their massive walled cities, and the terrifying giants known as the Anakim. This verse captures their anxious question and the terrifying, exaggerated reasons they've been given for why they shouldn't go in.
"Where are we going up? Our brothers have made our hearts melt, saying, “The people are greater and taller than we. The cities are great and fortified up to heaven. And besides, we have seen the sons of the Anakim there.”’" — The spies didn't just say the people were "greater and taller," they used that very phrase to describe the land itself. Their fear wasn't just about opposition; it was about the very nature of the pl…
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Last reviewed October 2026
