Deuteronomy 1:28 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The people voice their fear: the inhabitants are stronger, the cities are fortified, and they have seen giants (the Anakims).
The Context of Deuteronomy 1:28
The people's fearful response to scouts' reports of the land's inhabitants.
What Does Deuteronomy 1:28 Mean?
The scouts' minority report of fear—that the land's inhabitants are stronger, taller, and more numerous—has spread through the camp like wildfire. The description escalates the threat: the cities are described as walled "up to heaven" (a hyperbolic expression of formidable fortification), and the presence of the Anakim (giants) is presented as evidence that the conquest is impossible.
The phrase "our brethren have discouraged our heart" shows that fear is contagious and spreads through community networks. However, this report overlooks the scouts' own positive confirmation of the land's goodness and ignores God's promises of military aid and victory.
Deuteronomy 1:28 in the Original Language
gabah (גָּבַהּ), 'greater and taller' — physically superior in size and stature; emphasizes the visible advantage of the enemy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 1:28
What does Deuteronomy 1:28 mean?
The people voice their fear: the inhabitants are stronger, the cities are fortified, and they have seen giants (the Anakims).
What is the context of Deuteronomy 1:28?
The people's fearful response to scouts' reports of the land's inhabitants.