Numbers 13:20 Meaning and Explanation
“And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be ye of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the firstripe grapes.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Moses instructs them to assess the land's fertility and vegetation, gather fruit samples, and be courageous.
The Context of Numbers 13:20
Moses concludes his instructions and encourages the spies to be courageous.
What Does Numbers 13:20 Mean?
Moses asks for assessment of the land's fertility ('fat or lean') and natural resources like timber. He commands them to bring back fruit as proof of the land's abundance, and encourages them to be bold and confident.
The timing—the season of early grape harvest—is providential, allowing them to bring back substantial fruit samples that dramatically demonstrate Canaan's fertility.
Numbers 13:20 in the Original Language
Fat (שָׁמֵן), 'shamen' — fertile, rich; lean (רָזֶה), 'razeh' — barren, poor. The contrast emphasizes abundant versus scarce land.
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 13:20
What does Numbers 13:20 mean?
Moses instructs them to assess the land's fertility and vegetation, gather fruit samples, and be courageous.
What is the context of Numbers 13:20?
Moses concludes his instructions and encourages the spies to be courageous.