Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there.
Where can we go? Our fellow Israelites have crushed our spirits by telling us, 'The people there are bigger and taller than we are; their cities are huge with walls that reach up to the sky; and we even saw the descendants of the giants living there.'
The writer is recounting how the Israelites became terrified and discouraged when they heard reports about the powerful enemies and fortified cities they would face in the Promised Land.
📚 Historical Context
This verse recalls the events from Numbers 13-14, when twelve spies were sent to scout the Promised Land of Canaan. Ten of the spies brought back a fearful report about giants and fortified cities, causing the entire nation to lose faith in God's promise. The Anakims were descendants of Anak, known as a race of giants who lived in Canaan and struck fear into the hearts of the Israelites.
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