And they ascended by the South, and came vnto Hebron: where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak were: Now Hebron was built seuen yeeres before Zoan in Egypt. Numbers 13:22 (KJV)
The book of Numbers records the events of the Israelites’ wilderness journey as they moved from Mount Sinai toward the Promised Land. In this passage Moses commissions twelve spies to explore Canaan, tasked with assessing the land’s fertility, its inhabitants, and its resources.
The spies travelled “by the south” and arrived at Hebron, a city situated in the hill country of Judah. Hebron was already a well‑known settlement in the region of Canaan and held great historical and spiritual importance for Israel.
The verse notes three individuals—Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai—who were descendants of Anak. The Anakim were a race of giants noted for their physical stature and military might. Their presence underscored that the land was inhabited by formidable people, a fact the spies would have to report back to Moses.
A historical comparison is provided: Hebron was built before Zoan (also known as Tanis) in Egypt. By highlighting that Hebron pre‑dated the Egyptian city, the text emphasizes the antiquity and significance of Hebron within the ancient Near East.
Overall, Numbers 13:22 supplies geographical and historical details that illuminate the spies’ exploration of Canaan. It offers insight into the strategic location of Hebron, the existence of the Anakim, and the city’s longstanding heritage, all of which shaped the Israelites’ perception of the land they were about to enter.
