Numbers 13:18

18 See what the land is like and whether its people are strong or weak, few or many.

Numbers 13:18 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 13:18

And see the land what it [is], and the people that dwelleth
therein
The situation and condition of the country, and the nature, temper, disposition, and constitution of the inhabitants, by which it might be judged whether it was a desirable thing to possess it, and whether it was practicable to subdue and take it;

whether they [be] strong or weak, few or many;
whether able-bodied men fit for war, and of spirit, strength, and courage, or feeble and pusillanimous, weak and timorous; and whether their number was small or great, by which they would be capable of judging whether they were in a state and condition to defend themselves or not, and whether a conquest of them was easy or not; the last of the two things in the preceding clause is first particularly explained and enlarged upon, as is usual in the Hebrew language.

Numbers 13:18 In-Context

16 These were the names of the men Moses sent to spy out the land; and Moses gave to Hoshea son of Nun the name Joshua.

17 When Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, he told them, “Go up through the Negev and into the hill country.

18 See what the land is like and whether its people are strong or weak, few or many.

19 Is the land where they live good or bad? Are the cities where they dwell open camps or fortifications?

20 Is the soil fertile or unproductive? Are there trees in it or not? Be courageous and bring back some of the fruit of the land.” (It was the season for the first ripe grapes.)