King James Version

What Does Numbers 13:27 Mean?

Numbers 13:27 in the King James Version says “And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; a...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it.”

Numbers 13:27 · KJV

Context

25

And they returned from searching of the land after forty days.

26

And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land.

27

And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it.

28

Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there.

29

The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan.

Read Numbers 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The spies' report begins accurately: the land does flow with milk and honey, confirmed by the fruit as evidence. They acknowledge God's promise was true regarding the land's abundance. Yet their subsequent 'nevertheless' (verse 28) reveals how faith and fear can coexist, with fear ultimately dominating ten spies' perspective.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

'Milk and honey' was a standard ancient Near Eastern phrase indicating agricultural fertility. Milk came from flocks grazing on plentiful pastures, while honey (possibly bee honey or date syrup) indicated fruit abundance.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can you acknowledge God's faithfulness while still being paralyzed by fear of obstacles?
  2. What 'neverthelesses' in your thinking diminish confidence in God's promises?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וַיְסַפְּרוּ1 of 15

“And they told”

H5608

properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra

לוֹ֙2 of 15
H0
וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ3 of 15

“him and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

בָּ֕אנוּ4 of 15

“We came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל5 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָאָ֖רֶץ6 of 15

“unto the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר7 of 15
H834

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

שְׁלַחְתָּ֑נוּ8 of 15

“whither thou sentest”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

וְ֠גַם9 of 15
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

זָבַ֨ת10 of 15

“us and surely it floweth”

H2100

to flow freely (as water), i.e., (specifically) to have a (sexual) flux; figuratively, to waste away; also to overflow

חָלָ֥ב11 of 15

“with milk”

H2461

milk (as the richness of kine)

וּדְבַ֛שׁ12 of 15

“and honey”

H1706

honey (from its stickiness); by analogy, syrup

הִ֖וא13 of 15
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וְזֶה14 of 15
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

פִּרְיָֽהּ׃15 of 15

“and this is the fruit”

H6529

fruit (literally or figuratively)

Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Numbers 13:27 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Numbers 13:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 3:8Exodus 3:17Exodus 13:5Exodus 33:3Deuteronomy 26:9Deuteronomy 1:25-33

Test Your Knowledge

Numbers 13 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterNumbers Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Numbers 13 with CommentaryAll Numbers ChaptersComplete Numbers QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes