Numbers 14:7 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

The land which we passed through to search it, &c.— This account of the land of Canaan, given by Joshua and Caleb, is plainly in opposition to that given in the former chapter, Numbers 14:32. They first declare it to be an exceeding good land, a land flowing with milk and honey; they then assert, that if the Lord delight in them, (Numbers 14:8.) if they do not forfeit his favour and protection, he will assuredly enable them to drive out the Canaanites, and give them a quiet possession of the land: they therefore wisely counselled them not to rebel against the Lord, (Numbers 14:9.) who was their sole protection and defence; nor, secure in that protection, to fear the people of the land,—because they are bread for us, continued they, that is, an easy prey, and sure to be consumed by us. The same phrase occurs, ch. Numbers 24:8 and in Psalms 14:4 and in like manner the Greeks use this expression of eating up their enemies, for destroying them; see Homer, Iliad 4: Numbers 14:35 and Mr. Pope's note on Numbers 14:35 of his translation. The reason that they urge why the Canaanites should be thus easily destroyed by them, is a very fine one; their defence, say they, is departed from them; and Jehovah, our defence, is with us. The original is more expressive: their shade is departed from them; for as a shade covers from the heat of the sun, so the favour of God is a screen from every danger. This image, as Dr. Beaumont observes, is frequently used in the Scripture; see Psalms 91:1; Psalms 121:5.Isaiah 30:2; Isaiah 49:2; Isaiah 51:16 and was particularly expressive in those warm countries.