The Church Fathers on this verse

Numbers 14:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And said to all the multitude of the children of Israel: The land which we have gone round is very good:

Douay-Rheims

וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ אֶל־כָּל־עֲדַ֥ת בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לֵאמֹ֑ר הָאָ֗רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֨ר עָבַ֤רְנוּ בָהּ֙ לָת֣וּר אֹתָ֔הּ טוֹבָ֥ה הָאָ֖רֶץ מְאֹ֥ד מְאֹֽד׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

Cyrill of Alexandria

5th centuryChurch Father

Caleb and Joshua boldly declared that the land was abundant and fruitful, asserting that "if the Lord delights in us, He will bring us into this land," and confidently claimed that the inhabitants would fall before them if God was their defender. Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, along with Jesus, was convinced to venture forth and claim the land, openly affirming its richness and its capacity for yielding bountiful harvests. However, those who fostered doubt were denied the blessings promised to them, while Caleb and Joshua were designated as heirs and esteemed by God in the heavenly realm. Our Lord Jesus Christ bestowed the kingdom of heaven upon the faithful.

Read more (46 words)

Moreover, He encouraged them to exhibit spiritual courage, urging His followers to stand firm against the adversities posed by the enemy, as He proclaimed, "Behold, I give unto you power to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and upon all the power of the enemy" (Luke 10:19).

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.