King James Version

What Does Numbers 32:9 Mean?

Numbers 32:9 in the King James Version says “For when they went up unto the valley of Eshcol, and saw the land, they discouraged the heart of the children of Israel,... — study this verse from Numbers chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

For when they went up unto the valley of Eshcol, and saw the land, they discouraged the heart of the children of Israel, that they should not go into the land which the LORD had given them.

Numbers 32:9 · KJV


Context

7

And wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD hath given them? discourage: Heb. break

8

Thus did your fathers, when I sent them from Kadeshbarnea to see the land.

9

For when they went up unto the valley of Eshcol, and saw the land, they discouraged the heart of the children of Israel, that they should not go into the land which the LORD had given them.

10

And the LORD'S anger was kindled the same time, and he sware, saying,

11

Surely none of the men that came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob; because they have not wholly followed me: wholly: Heb. fulfilled after me


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
They went up unto the valley of Eshcol, and saw the land (עַד־נַחַל אֶשְׁכּוֹל וַיִּרְאוּ אֶת־הָאָרֶץ)—Eshcol means 'cluster,' named for the enormous grape cluster the spies carried back (Numbers 13:23), visual proof of Canaan's richness. Yet seeing God's provision led to opposite conclusions: Joshua/Caleb saw divine bounty; the ten spies saw unconquerable danger. They discouraged the heart of the children of Israel (וַיְנִיאוּ אֶת־לֵב בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל, vayeni'u)—the verb means 'to dishearten/frustrate,' causing corporate despair.

Moses' accusation cuts deep: Gad and Reuben's request will produce the same result—that they should not go into the land which the LORD had given them. Individual choice becomes corporate catastrophe. Their cattle-focused pragmatism could infect the entire nation with doubt about conquering Canaan. This reveals how personal decisions in God's people always carry communal consequences. Selfish choices discourage the faithful.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Eshcol valley lay near Hebron in Judah's hill country (Numbers 13:22-23). The ten spies' evil report (Numbers 13:32) led to national rebellion and divine judgment: that entire generation died in the wilderness except Joshua and Caleb (Numbers 14:29-30).

Reflection Questions

  1. How do your life choices—especially decisions to settle for less than God's best—affect others' faith?
  2. What's the difference between legitimate caution and discouraging unbelief?
  3. When have you been an 'Eshcol spy'—seeing God's blessing yet spreading despair rather than faith?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַֽיַּעֲל֞וּ1 of 20

For when they went up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

עַד2 of 20
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

נַ֣חַל3 of 20

unto the valley

H5158

a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)

אֶשְׁכּ֗וֹל4 of 20

of Eshcol

H812

eshcol, the name of an amorite, also of a valley in palestine

וַיִּרְאוּ֙5 of 20

and saw

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֶת6 of 20
H853

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

הָאָ֔רֶץ7 of 20

into the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וַיָּנִ֕יאוּ8 of 20

they discouraged

H5106

to refuse, forbid, dissuade, or neutralize

אֶת9 of 20
H853

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

לֵ֖ב10 of 20

the heart

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

בְּנֵ֣י11 of 20

of the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל12 of 20

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לְבִלְתִּי13 of 20
H1115

properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n

בֹא֙14 of 20

that they should not go

H935

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

אֶל15 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָאָ֔רֶץ16 of 20

into the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁר17 of 20
H834

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

נָתַ֥ן18 of 20

had given

H5414

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

לָהֶ֖ם19 of 20
H0
יְהוָֽה׃20 of 20

which the LORD

H3068

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


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 32:9 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 32:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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