And there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim), and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The spies didn't just see the giants; they felt utterly insignificant in comparison, to the point where they believed the giants saw them as mere grasshoppers too. This isn't just about physical size, but about their internal state of fear and discouragement, which distorted their perception of reality and God's power.
And there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim), and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
After forty days exploring the land of Canaan, the ten spies sent by Moses returned with samples of its abundant fruit but also with a terrifying report. They described a land flowing with milk and honey, yet filled with formidable walled cities and inhabitants of giant stature, specifically mentioning the sons of Anak, a race linked to the ancient Nephilim. This starkly contrasted the confident assessment of Caleb, one of the spies, who urged immediate conquest, highlighting the deep division and fear that now gripped the Israelite camp.
The spies brought back more than just fruit; they brought back a chilling report. What does the name 'Nephilim' tell us about their fear?
The spies use the term 'Nephilim' to describe the inhabitants of Canaan. This name, found earlier in Genesis 6, is linked to a time of great violence and possibly superhuman beings.
In the spies' report, their perception of themselves and the enemy is drastically distorted. How did their viewpoint turn them into grasshoppers?
The spies' declaration, 'we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them,' reveals a profound shift in perspective driven by fear.
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While ten spies brought back a report of despair, two saw a different future. What was the key difference?
The overwhelming negativity of the ten spies' report stands in stark contrast to the faith-filled perspective of Caleb and Joshua. This highlights that the 'giants' weren't the only reality; God's presence was the ultimate factor.
Understand the original words
Nephiylim · Hebrew Noun
A mysterious group mentioned in the Bible, often associated with giants or individuals of formidable size and strength. Their presence is frequently used in scripture to signify great obstacles, terrifying opposition, or remnants of a pre-flood era associated with wickedness.
Anaq · Hebrew Proper Noun
A term used in this context to denote a specific people group renowned for their immense stature and physical power, often viewed by the Israelites as an insurmountable, terrifying barrier to occupying the Promised Land.
The spies' terror wasn't just about the physical size of the Anakim; it was a deep-seated fear stemming from generations of oppression in Egypt, making them feel like insignificant 'grasshoppers' in the face of any imposing threat. Their report highlights how past trauma can magnify present dangers, even when God is on your side.
c. 1800 BC
Nephilim mentioned in Genesis
The 'Nephilim' are first mentioned in Genesis 6:4 as mysterious, possibly superhuman beings present in the world before the Flood, linked to the 'sons of God'. This ancient, almost mythical reference establishes a lineage of powerful figures.
c. 1400 BC
Israelite Enslavement in Egypt
For approximately 400 years, the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt. This period of harsh labor and oppression likely stunted their physical growth and instilled a deep-seated fear of powerful oppressors.
c. 1440s BC
The Exodus from Egypt
Led by Moses, the Israelites miraculously escaped from Egyptian bondage. This event marked their transition from enslaved people to a nation on a journey toward a promised land.
c. 1400 BC
Reconnaissance of Canaan
Moses sent twelve spies into the land of Canaan to scout its defenses, its people, and its resources. This mission was a critical step in the Israelites' plan to conquer and settle the land.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Spies' Report from Hebron
Ten of the twelve spies returned with a terrifying report, describing the inhabitants of Canaan, specifically the 'sons of Anak' in Hebron, as giants ('Nephilim'). They felt utterly insignificant in comparison, like grasshoppers.
c. 1400 BC
The Spies' Demoralizing Report
The majority report of the spies instilled widespread panic and despair among the Israelites, leading them to question God's promises and their ability to enter the Promised Land.
c. 1400 BC
Forty Years of Wilderness Wandering
Because of their disbelief and fear, the Israelites were condemned to wander in the wilderness for forty years, until the generation that refused to trust God perished.
This passage introduces the 'Nephilim' as a powerful, perhaps even semi-divine, race that existed before the flood, connecting to the fear and awe the spies felt when encountering the Anakim. The Anakim are described using the same term, suggesting a link to these ancient, formidable beings.
Joshua 14:15This verse directly mentions Hebron being the city of 'Anak,' reinforcing the geographical and historical presence of the Anakim in the land the spies were exploring. It shows that these formidable people were a known obstacle to Israel's inheritance.
Judges 1:20This passage describes how Caleb, empowered by God, drove out the three sons of Anak from Hebron, despite their fortified cities. This shows the contrast between the spies' fear (Numbers 13) and Caleb's faith-filled action, highlighting that God's power overcomes even seemingly insurmountable giants.
1 Samuel 17:41-47Here, Goliath the Philistine is described with a stature and arrogance that mirrors the Anakim. David's confrontation with Goliath, relying on God's strength against a seemingly invincible giant, provides a powerful parallel to how Israel should have approached the Anakim.
Romans 8:37This New Testament passage declares that nothing can separate believers from God's love, and 'in all these things we are more than conquerors.' This directly counters the grasshopper mentality of the spies, showing that through Christ, believers are empowered to overcome any 'giants' they face.
pulpitNumbers 13:33: "And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight."
Verse 33. - The giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants, אֶת־הַנְּפִילים בְּנִי עַנָק מִן־הַנְּפִלים. The Nephilim, Beni-Anak, of the Nephilim. The Septuagint has only τοὺς γίγαντας. The Nephilim are, without doubt, the primaeval tyrants mentioned under that name in Genesis 6:4. The renown of these sons of violence had…
clarkeNumbers 13:33: "And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight."
There we saw the giants - נפלים nephilim. It is evident that they had seen a robust, sturdy, warlike race of men, and of great stature; for the asserted fact is not denied by Joshua or Caleb. Tales of gigantic men are frequent in all countries, but they are generally of such as have lived in times very remote from those in which…
The spies didn't just see the giants; they felt utterly insignificant in comparison, to the point where they believed the giants saw them as mere grasshoppers too. This isn't just about physical size, but about their internal state of fear and discouragement, which distorted their perception of reality and God's power.
After forty days exploring the land of Canaan, the ten spies sent by Moses returned with samples of its abundant fruit but also with a terrifying report. They described a land flowing with milk and honey, yet filled with formidable walled cities and inhabitants of giant stature, specifically mentioning the sons of Anak, a race linked to the ancient Nephilim. This starkly contrasted the confident assessment of Caleb, one of the spies, who urged immediate conquest, highlighting the deep division and fear that now gripped the Israelite camp.
After forty days exploring the land of Canaan, the ten spies sent by Moses returned with samples of its abundant fruit but also with a terrifying report. They described a land flowing with milk and honey, yet filled with formidable walled cities and inhabitants of giant stature, specifically mentioning the sons of Anak, a race linked to the ancient Nephilim. This starkly contrasted the confident assessment of Caleb, one of the spies, who urged immediate conquest, highlighting the deep division and fear that now gripped the Israelite camp.
"And there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim), and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them.”" — The spies didn't just see the giants; they felt utterly insignificant in comparison, to the point where they believed the giants saw them as mere grasshoppers too. This isn't just about physical…
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Last reviewed October 2026