Numbers 14:6

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, [which were] of them that searched the land, rent their clothes:

Complete Jewish Bible:

Y'hoshua the son of Nun and Kalev the son of Y'funeh, from the detachment that had reconnoitered the land, tore their clothes

Berean Standard Bible:

Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes

American Standard Version:

And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were of them that spied out the land, rent their clothes:

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And Joshua^{H3091} the son^{H1121} of Nun^{H5126}, and Caleb^{H3612} the son^{H1121} of Jephunneh^{H3312}, which were of them that searched^{H8446} the land^{H776}, rent^{H7167} their clothes^{H899}:

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Numbers 14:6

Numbers 14:6 is set within the context of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. In this verse, Joshua and Caleb, two of the twelve spies sent by Moses to scout the Promised Land of Canaan, respond to the negative report brought back by the other ten spies. The majority of the spies claimed that the land was filled with formidable obstacles and giants, instilling fear among the Israelites and causing them to doubt God's promise.

In contrast, Joshua and Caleb demonstrate unwavering faith and trust in God's ability to deliver the land into their hands, as He had promised. The act of rending their clothes is a traditional sign of deep grief, distress, or mourning in ancient Hebrew culture. By tearing their garments, Joshua and Caleb are expressing their anguish over the people's lack of faith and the potential consequences of disobeying God. They are also symbolically protesting the negative report and attempting to persuade the Israelites not to rebel against the Lord.

The themes present in this verse include faith versus doubt, the importance of trusting in God's promises, and the consequences of disbelief. It underscores the leadership and courage of Joshua and Caleb, who stand firm in their convictions despite the prevailing sentiment of fear and disobedience among their people. This moment is pivotal in the narrative of the Israelites, as it leads to a defining decision that will determine their future and the fulfillment of God's promises to them. Unfortunately, the people's refusal to enter the Promised Land at this time results in God's decree that they would wander in the wilderness for forty years until the unbelieving generation had passed away. Only Joshua and Caleb, due to their faithfulness, would eventually enter and possess the land.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3091
   There are 199 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהוֹשׁוּעַ
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôwshûwaʻ
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-shoo'-ah
   Description: or יְהוֹשֻׁעַ; from יְהֹוָה and יָשַׁע; Jehovah-saved; Jehoshua (i.e. Joshua), the Jewish leader; Jehoshua, Jehoshuah, Joshua. Compare הוֹשֵׁעַ, יֵשׁוּעַ.
   
2. Strong's Number: H1121
   There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֵּן
   Transliteration: bên
   Pronunciation: bane
   Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
   
3. Strong's Number: H5126
   There are 30 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נוּן
   Transliteration: Nûwn
   Pronunciation: noon
   Description: or נוֹן; (1 Chronicles 7:27), from נוּן; perpetuity,; Nun or Non, the father of Joshua; Non, Nun.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3612
   There are 35 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כָּלֵב
   Transliteration: Kâlêb
   Pronunciation: kaw-labe'
   Description: perhaps a form of כֶּלֶב, or else from the same root in the sense of forcible; Caleb, the name of three Israelites; Caleb.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3312
   There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְפֻנֶּה
   Transliteration: Yᵉphunneh
   Pronunciation: yef-oon-neh'
   Description: from פָּנָה; he will be prepared; Jephunneh, the name of two Israelites; Jephunneh.
   
6. Strong's Number: H8446
   There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: תּוּר
   Transliteration: tûwr
   Pronunciation: toor
   Description: a primitive root; to meander (causatively, guide) about, especially fortrade or reconnoitring; chap(-man), sent to descry, be excellent, merchant(-man), search (out), seek, (e-) spy (out).
   
7. Strong's Number: H776
   There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶרֶץ
   Transliteration: ʼerets
   Pronunciation: eh'-rets
   Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world.
   
8. Strong's Number: H7167
   There are 60 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָרַע
   Transliteration: qâraʻ
   Pronunciation: kaw-rah'
   Description: a primitive root; to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them); cut out, rend, [idiom] surely, tear.
   
9. Strong's Number: H899
   There are 190 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֶּגֶד
   Transliteration: beged
   Pronunciation: behg'-ed
   Description: from בָּגַד; a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage; apparel, cloth(-es, ing), garment, lap, rag, raiment, robe, [idiom] very (treacherously), vesture, wardrobe.