King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 1:25 Mean?

Deuteronomy 1:25 in the King James Version says “And they took of the fruit of the land in their hands, and brought it down unto us, and brought us word again, and said,... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And they took of the fruit of the land in their hands, and brought it down unto us, and brought us word again, and said, It is a good land which the LORD our God doth give us.

Deuteronomy 1:25 · KJV


Context

23

And the saying pleased me well : and I took twelve men of you, one of a tribe :

24

And they turned and went up into the mountain, and came unto the valley of Eshcol, and searched it out.

25

And they took of the fruit of the land in their hands, and brought it down unto us, and brought us word again, and said, It is a good land which the LORD our God doth give us.

26

Notwithstanding ye would not go up, but rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God:

27

And ye murmured in your tents, and said, Because the LORD hated us, he hath brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The spies' return with fruit demonstrated the land's literal fruitfulness, yet their report would focus on obstacles rather than opportunities. 'They took of the fruit of the land in their hands' shows they possessed physical evidence but lacked spiritual vision. Material proof without faith perspective leads to fear rather than confidence—what we hold in our hands matters less than what we hold in our hearts.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The fruit brought back became both testimony and indictment: testimony to God's truthfulness about the land's goodness, indictment of Israel's refusal to trust despite evidence. This physical reminder couldn't overcome spiritual unbelief rooted in fear of the inhabitants.

Reflection Questions

  1. What blessings do you acknowledge but fail to fully trust God to provide?
  2. How can you move from knowing God's goodness to trusting His promises?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיִּקְח֤וּ1 of 17

And they took

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

בְיָדָם֙2 of 17

in their hands

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

מִפְּרִ֣י3 of 17

of the fruit

H6529

fruit (literally or figuratively)

הָאָ֔רֶץ4 of 17

land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וַיּוֹרִ֖דוּ5 of 17

and brought it down

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

אֵלֵ֑ינוּ6 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וַיָּשִׁ֨בוּ7 of 17

again

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אֹתָ֤נוּ8 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

דָבָר֙9 of 17

us word

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ10 of 17

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

טוֹבָ֣ה11 of 17

It is a good

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

הָאָ֔רֶץ12 of 17

land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁר13 of 17
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יְהוָ֥ה14 of 17

which the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ15 of 17

our God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

נֹתֵ֥ן16 of 17

doth give

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָֽנוּ׃17 of 17
H0

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 1:25 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study