Declaring the antiquity thereof: also Abraham, Sarah, Isaac and Jacob were buried there. Which were a kind of giants.
Historical and theological verse study from Book of Numbers, Chapter 13.
Apply the spiritual lesson of Numbers 13:23 through prayerful reflection and faithful obedience.
“Gracious Father, write the truth of Numbers 13:23 upon my heart by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.”
“Ascenderuntque ad meridiem, et venerunt in Hebron, ubi erant Achiman et Sisai et Tholmai filii Enac : nam Hebron septem annis ante Tanim urbem Ægypti condita est.”
“And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff; and they brought of the pomegranates, and of the figs. brook: or, valley”
“When they came to the Valley of Eshcol, they cut down a branch with a single cluster of grapes, which they carried on a pole between two men. They also took some pomegranates and figs.”
“They came to the valley of Eshcol, and cut down from there a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bore it on a staff between two. They also brought some of the pomegranates and figs.”
“And they came unto the valley of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it upon a staff between two; they brought also of the pomegranates, and of the figs.”
Declaring the antiquity thereof: also Abraham, Sarah, Isaac and Jacob were buried there. Which were a kind of giants.
And came. The printed Hebrew has, “and he came:” but the Samaritan and all the versions, as well as some manuscripts, properly retain the plural, which the Massorets allow is right. (Kennicott, Diss. 1.) — Enac, the founder of Hebron, and father of the giants of Chanaan, Josue xv. 13. The Greek word anax, “king,” was perhaps derived from him, as also the famous Inachides, who settled in Greece, after they were driven out by Josue. (Grotius) — Tanis, where the tyrants of the Hebrews resided; a city, which the Egyptians represented as the most ancient in the world. Moses represses their vain boasting, by informing them that Hebron was of greater antiquity. It was afterwards assigned to the priests, and for a city of refuge, in the tribe of Juda, Josue xx. 7.
Verses 21-25 The searchers of the land brought a bunch of grapes with them, and other fruits, as proofs of the goodness of the country; which was to Israel both the earnest and the specimen of all the fruits of Canaan. Such are the present comforts we have in communion with God, foretastes of the fulness of joy we expect in the heavenly Canaan. We may see by them what heaven is.