Joshua 14:10

KJV

And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while [the children of] Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I [am] this day fourscore and five years old.

KJV (with Strong's)

And now, behold, the LORD {H3068} hath kept me alive {H2421}, as he said {H1696}, these forty {H705} and five {H2568} years {H8141}, even since {H227} the LORD {H3068} spake {H1696} this word {H1697} unto Moses {H4872}, while the children of Israel {H3478} wandered {H1980} in the wilderness {H4057}: and now, lo, I am this day {H3117} fourscore {H8084} and five {H2568} years {H8141} old {H1121}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Now, look: ADONAI has kept me alive these forty-five years, as he said he would, from the time ADONAI said this to Moshe, when Isra'el was going through the desert. Today I am eighty-five years old,

Berean Standard Bible

Now behold, as the LORD promised, He has kept me alive these forty-five years since He spoke this word to Moses, while Israel wandered in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old,

American Standard Version

And now, behold, Jehovah hath kept me alive, as he spake, these forty and five years, from the time that Jehovah spake this word unto Moses, while Israel walked in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 14:10 captures Caleb's remarkable declaration of God's unwavering faithfulness and his own enduring vitality. Forty-five years after God's promise to him, and now eighty-five years old, Caleb stands as a living testament to divine preservation. This verse encapsulates a profound moment of fulfilled prophecy, highlighting the steadfast character of God and the enduring strength granted to those who wholly follow Him, even across generations and through immense trials, as Caleb prepares to claim his promised inheritance in the land of Canaan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 14:10 is strategically placed within the book of Joshua, marking a pivotal transition from the general conquest of Canaan (detailed in [Joshua 1-12](/joshua/1 "Joshua 1-12 - Conquest of Canaan")) to the specific allocation of tribal inheritances. This verse initiates the individual land distribution, a process that extends through [Joshua 19](/joshua/19 "Joshua 19 - Allotments for Remaining Tribes"). Caleb's powerful and personal testimony serves as a spiritual anchor for the practical and often challenging task of dividing the land. His declaration of God's faithfulness and his own enduring strength provides a vital reminder to the new generation of Israel that God keeps His promises, setting the stage for his specific, faith-filled request for the challenging mountainous region of Hebron in [Joshua 14:12](/joshua/14-12 "Joshua 14:12 - Caleb's Request for Hebron"). His narrative provides a moral and spiritual example amidst the administrative details of land apportionment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "forty and five years" mentioned by Caleb refer to a significant period in Israelite history, encompassing the 40 years of wilderness wandering that commenced shortly after the Exodus and the sending of the spies from Kadesh-Barnea ([Numbers 13:1](/numbers/13-1 "Numbers 13:1 - Spies Sent Out")), followed by approximately five years of intense military conquest under Joshua's leadership. Caleb, alongside Joshua, was one of only two men from the generation that departed Egypt who were permitted to enter the Promised Land, a direct consequence of their unwavering faith in God's ability to deliver, which sharply contrasted with the unbelief of the other ten spies and the broader congregation ([Numbers 14:24](/numbers/14-24 "Numbers 14:24 - God's Promise to Caleb")). In ancient Israelite culture, land inheritance was paramount, signifying not only economic security and tribal identity but, more profoundly, the fulfillment of God's covenant promises to Abraham. Caleb's advanced age of 85, coupled with his undiminished vigor, would have been perceived as a miraculous sign of divine favor and strength, particularly given the harsh conditions of the wilderness and the rigors of warfare.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes prominent in the book of Joshua and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Faithfulness and Promise-Keeping**. Caleb's longevity and the precise fulfillment of God's word, despite a 45-year delay and the demise of an entire generation, demonstrate God's absolute reliability and unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. Secondly, it highlights **Caleb's Enduring Faith and Perseverance**. Caleb's declaration is not merely a factual recounting but a vibrant testament to a faith that remained steadfast through decades of waiting, hardship, and the discouragement of others. His faith was active and unwavering, serving as a profound model for all generations. Thirdly, the verse emphasizes **Divine Preservation and Empowerment**. Caleb explicitly attributes his continued life and vigor to the Lord, stating, "the LORD hath kept me alive." This points to God's miraculous grace and power to sustain His servants, enabling them to fulfill His purposes regardless of age or circumstance, a theme further elaborated in [Joshua 14:11](/joshua/14-11 "Joshua 14:11 - Caleb's Enduring Strength") where Caleb declares his enduring strength for battle.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Kept me alive (Hebrew, _châyâh'_ H2421):** This verb, derived from a primitive root, signifies "to live," "to keep alive," "to preserve," or causatively, "to revive." In this context, it emphasizes God's active, miraculous preservation of Caleb's life and vitality over 45 challenging years. It is not merely that Caleb survived, but that the Lord Himself was the agent of his sustained existence and strength, fulfilling His specific promise to him in [Numbers 14:24](/numbers/14-24 "God's Promise to Caleb"). This divine action underscores the supernatural nature of Caleb's longevity and vigor, setting him apart as a recipient of special grace and a living witness to God's power.
* **Word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_ H1697):** From the root _dâbar_ (H1696), this noun refers to "a word," but by implication, it can also mean "a matter," "a thing," or "a cause." Here, "this word" refers specifically to the divine promise made to Caleb by God through Moses, ensuring his inheritance because he "wholly followed the LORD" ([Numbers 14:24](/numbers/14-24 "God's Promise to Caleb")). The use of _dâbâr_ emphasizes the authoritative and binding nature of God's spoken promise, which Caleb now sees meticulously fulfilled. It highlights the reliability and integrity of God's communication.
* **Old (Hebrew, _bên'_ H1121):** While often translated as "son," this word carries a broader meaning of relationship, including age (as in "son of X years"). In the phrase "fourscore and five years old," _bên_ functions idiomatically to denote Caleb's age. The emphasis here is not on his literal sonship but on his advanced age, which, far from indicating frailty, highlights his remarkable, divinely sustained vigor. His being "a son of 85 years" underscores the extraordinary nature of his physical condition, making his age a testament to God's power rather than a limitation, especially in a time when lifespans were considerably shorter.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years":** Caleb begins with an exclamation of present reality ("And now, behold") and immediately attributes his survival and vitality to the Lord. The phrase "as he said" directly links his current robust state to God's specific promise made 45 years prior in [Numbers 14:24](/numbers/14-24 "God's Promise to Caleb"). This period of 45 years encompasses the 40 years of Israel's wilderness wanderings, during which an entire generation perished due to unbelief, and approximately five years of the conquest of Canaan under Joshua. This lengthy duration underscores God's unwavering faithfulness and Caleb's patient endurance, serving as a powerful testimony to divine promise-keeping.
* **"even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while [the children of] Israel wandered in the wilderness":** This clause provides the precise historical anchor for the 45-year period. It refers to the time immediately following the report of the spies, when God declared that only Caleb and Joshua would enter the land, and the rest of the generation would die in the wilderness. This emphasizes the stark contrast between God's judgment on unbelief and His steadfast blessing upon Caleb's singular, wholehearted faith, highlighting the covenantal context of God's promise and its enduring nature despite widespread disobedience.
* **"and now, lo, I [am] this day fourscore and five years old.":** Caleb concludes by stating his current age, 85 years old. The "lo" (behold) again draws attention to this remarkable fact, inviting the listener to marvel at his condition. This is not a lament about old age or a sign of weakness, but a declaration of continued strength and readiness, setting the stage for his bold request for the challenging mountainous region of Hebron in [Joshua 14:12](/joshua/14-12 "Caleb's Request for Hebron"). His age, far from being a hindrance, becomes a powerful testimony to God's sustaining power and his own enduring vigor for God's purposes.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 14:10 is rich in literary devices that amplify its profound theological message. Primarily, the verse functions as a powerful **Testimony**, a personal declaration of God's faithfulness and power, spoken by Caleb directly to Joshua and the assembled Israelites. This oral testimony serves to validate God's promises and to encourage the new generation in their faith. The verse also employs **Divine Preservation**, where Caleb explicitly attributes his longevity and strength not to natural aging or personal resilience, but to the Lord's active intervention, highlighting a miraculous sustenance rather than mere survival. This emphasizes God's active involvement in the lives of His faithful servants. Furthermore, there is a strong element of **Contrast** implicit in the verse: Caleb's steadfast faith and divine preservation stand in stark opposition to the unbelief and subsequent demise of the rest of his generation during the 40 years of wilderness wandering. This contrast underscores the profound consequences of faith versus unfaithfulness. The repetition of "LORD" (Yahweh) throughout the verse also serves as a subtle yet powerful form of **Emphasis**, continually drawing the listener's attention to the divine source of Caleb's blessing and the meticulous fulfillment of the divine word.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Caleb's declaration in Joshua 14:10 serves as a powerful theological statement about the unwavering nature of God's promises and the blessed outcome of unwavering faith. It teaches us that God's faithfulness is not bound by human timelines or circumstances; He meticulously fulfills His word, even if decades pass. Caleb's story exemplifies the principle that those who "wholly follow the LORD" (as he is described in [Numbers 14:24](/numbers/14-24 "Numbers 14:24 - God's Promise to Caleb")) will experience divine preservation and the ultimate realization of God's good purposes for their lives. His vitality at 85 years old is a testament to God's empowering grace, demonstrating that age does not diminish God's ability to use a willing heart. This narrative encourages believers to cultivate a long-term perspective on God's work, trusting that His timing is perfect and His promises are secure, regardless of the trials or delays encountered along the way.

* [Deuteronomy 7:9](/deuteronomy/7-9 "Deuteronomy 7:9 - God's Faithfulness to His Covenant")
* [1 Corinthians 10:13](/1_corinthians/10-13 "1 Corinthians 10:13 - God's Provision in Temptation")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works All Things for Good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Caleb's testimony in Joshua 14:10 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. His 45-year wait for the fulfillment of God's promise, enduring through wilderness trials and the passing of an entire generation, is a powerful call to patient endurance and unwavering faith. In a world that often demands instant gratification, Caleb reminds us that God's timing is sovereign and perfect, and our role is to remain faithful, trusting that He will bring His promises to fruition. Furthermore, Caleb's vitality at 85 years old, a strength he attributes entirely to the Lord, challenges any notion that age or past circumstances can limit God's ability to use us. God equips and empowers those who wholeheartedly follow Him, regardless of their season of life, for the tasks He has prepared. His story encourages us to assess our own faith: Is it a fleeting emotion, or a deep-rooted conviction that sustains us through long seasons of waiting and challenge? Caleb's example urges us to embrace a long-term, God-centered perspective, knowing that faithful obedience always leads to divine blessing and the ultimate fulfillment of God's purposes for our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What promises of God are you currently waiting for, and how does Caleb's 45-year wait encourage your perseverance and trust in God's timing?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to attribute your strength, survival, or accomplishments more directly to the Lord, as Caleb did, rather than to your own efforts?**
* **How might Caleb's continued vigor and readiness for service at 85 challenge your own perceptions about age, ability, and usefulness in God's kingdom?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a "wholehearted" faith like Caleb's, one that remains steadfast even when circumstances are difficult or promises seem delayed?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of Caleb's age (85 years old) at this moment?**

Answer: Caleb's age of 85 is highly significant because it highlights God's miraculous preservation and Caleb's extraordinary vitality. In an era when life spans were shorter and the wilderness journey incredibly arduous, reaching 85 with undiminished strength was a testament to divine intervention. Far from being a sign of weakness or retirement, Caleb's age underscores his continued readiness for battle and his capacity to claim a challenging inheritance, as further emphasized in [Joshua 14:11](/joshua/14-11 "Joshua 14:11 - Caleb's Enduring Strength"). It powerfully illustrates that God can sustain and empower His faithful servants for His purposes, regardless of their chronological age, making Caleb a living monument to God's faithfulness and power.

**Why is the 45-year period mentioned by Caleb important?**

Answer: The 45-year period is crucial because it precisely delineates the long span of time over which God's promise to Caleb remained steadfast and was ultimately fulfilled. This period encompasses the 40 years of Israel's wilderness wandering, during which an entire generation perished due to unbelief, and approximately five years of the conquest of Canaan under Joshua's leadership. Caleb's survival and continued strength through these challenging decades serve as a powerful witness to God's unwavering faithfulness, demonstrating that His promises are sure, even when their fulfillment seems delayed or impossible from a human perspective. It underscores the contrast between God's judgment on the unfaithful and His steadfast blessing on those who, like Caleb, "wholly followed the LORD" ([Numbers 14:24](/numbers/14-24 "Numbers 14:24 - God's Promise to Caleb")). This extended period emphasizes the patience and enduring nature of God's covenant love.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Caleb's story in Joshua 14:10, marked by divine promise, faithful endurance, and ultimate inheritance, beautifully prefigures the greater spiritual realities found in Christ. Just as God faithfully kept Caleb alive and brought him into the promised earthly inheritance, so too does God, in Christ, preserve His people and bring them into an eternal, heavenly inheritance. Caleb's strength at 85, attributed solely to the Lord, foreshadows the spiritual strength and endurance believers receive through the Holy Spirit, enabling them to run the race set before them and to do all things through Christ who strengthens them ([Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - Strength Through Christ")). The "rest" of the Promised Land, which Caleb finally enters, points to the ultimate spiritual rest and inheritance available to those who believe in Jesus, the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), as described in [Hebrews 4](/hebrews/4 "Hebrews 4 - The Promise of Rest"). Christ Himself is the ultimate fulfillment of all God's promises, for "no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ")). Caleb's unwavering faith, which pleased God and led to the fulfillment of his earthly portion, serves as an Old Testament type of the saving faith in Jesus Christ, through whom we receive an imperishable and undefiled inheritance ([Ephesians 1:11](/ephesians/1-11 "Ephesians 1:11 - Our Inheritance in Christ")) that will never fade away, secured by the [Spirit as a down payment](/ephesians/1-14 "Ephesians 1:14 - The Holy Spirit as a Guarantee").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Numbers 14:30

Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, [concerning] which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.

Numbers 14:33

And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcases be wasted in the wilderness.

Numbers 14:34

After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, [even] forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, [even] forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise.

Joshua 11:18

Joshua made war a long time with all those kings.