Numbers 14:6

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}:

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:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 14:6 captures the profound distress and righteous indignation of Joshua and Caleb, two of the twelve spies who had surveyed the land of Canaan. Their dramatic act of rending their clothes served as a powerful public protest against the widespread unbelief and open rebellion of the Israelite community, who, swayed by the negative report of the other ten spies, desired to reject God's promise and return to Egypt. This pivotal moment underscores their unwavering faith in God's power and faithfulness, contrasting sharply with the nation's fear-driven apostasy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a critical turning point in the book of Numbers, immediately following the spies' return from Canaan and their conflicting reports. In [Numbers 13](/numbers/13 "Numbers 13 - The Spies Sent to Canaan"), Moses, at God's command, sends twelve leaders, one from each tribe, to scout the Promised Land. While all spies confirm the land's fertility, ten of them emphasize the formidable strength of its inhabitants and fortified cities, instilling paralyzing fear in the people ([Numbers 13:31-33](/numbers/13-31 "Numbers 13:31-33 - The Negative Report")). This fear quickly escalates into widespread panic, weeping, and outright rebellion in [Numbers 14:1-4](/numbers/14-1 "Numbers 14:1-4 - Israel's Rebellion"), as the Israelites propose choosing a new leader and returning to Egypt. Joshua and Caleb's act in [Numbers 14:6](/numbers/14-6 "Numbers 14:6 - Joshua and Caleb's Protest") is their desperate, public response to this catastrophic failure of faith, preceding their verbal appeal in [Numbers 14:7-9](/numbers/14-7 "Numbers 14:7-9 - Joshua and Caleb's Plea").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites were a newly liberated nation, recently delivered from Egyptian bondage and journeying through the wilderness towards the land promised to their patriarchs. The generation that exited Egypt had witnessed numerous divine interventions, yet their faith remained fragile. The act of "rending clothes" (Hebrew: *qara' begadim*) was a deeply ingrained and highly symbolic gesture in the ancient Near East, signifying extreme grief, horror, despair, or profound protest. It was not a casual act but a public display of intense emotional turmoil, often in response to blasphemy, a great tragedy, or, as here, grave sin and rebellion against divine authority. This cultural practice amplified the severity of Joshua and Caleb's distress and their condemnation of the people's actions, making their protest undeniable and visually impactful.

* **Key Themes:** [Numbers 14:6](/numbers/14-6 "Numbers 14:6 - Joshua and Caleb's Faith") powerfully highlights the central theme of **Faith vs. Fear**. Joshua and Caleb embody unwavering trust in God's promises and power, standing in stark contrast to the overwhelming fear and unbelief that grips the rest of the nation. Their actions underscore the theme of **Rebellion and its Consequences**, as the people's rejection of God's plan leads to divine judgment. The verse also showcases **Godly Leadership**, portraying Joshua and Caleb as exemplary figures who prioritize God's will and truth over popular opinion, even at personal risk. Their courageous dissent and steadfast conviction foreshadow their unique destiny as the only two adults of that generation (excluding Moses and Aaron) permitted to enter the Promised Land, emphasizing the importance of **Obedience and Trust in God's Promises** for inheriting divine blessings.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **rent their clothes (Hebrew, _qara' et-begadim'_):** This phrase describes a powerful, non-verbal act of protest and extreme emotional distress. In ancient Israelite culture, tearing one's garments was a deeply symbolic gesture, far more significant than a mere expression of sadness. It could signify mourning (e.g., [Genesis 37:34](/genesis/37-34 "Genesis 37:34 - Jacob's Mourning")), horror (e.g., [2 Kings 18:37](/2_kings/18-37 "2 Kings 18:37 - Hezekiah's Officials' Distress")), or, as in this context, profound indignation and protest against perceived blasphemy or a grievous sin against God. For Joshua and Caleb, it conveyed their utter shock, grief, and condemnation of the people's faithless rebellion against the Lord and His covenant promises.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh":** These two individuals are specifically identified, distinguishing them from the other ten spies and the rest of the fearful Israelite community. They are presented as men of unique character and faith, set apart by their unwavering trust in God's ability to fulfill His promises. Their names themselves carry significance: Joshua (Hebrew: *Yehoshua*) means "The Lord is salvation," and Caleb (Hebrew: *Kalev*) is often associated with "wholehearted" or "faithful."
* **"[which were] of them that searched the land":** This clause emphasizes that Joshua and Caleb shared the same experience and saw the same formidable obstacles as the other ten spies. Their positive report was not based on ignorance or a lack of awareness of the challenges, but on a different, faith-filled interpretation of the facts, grounded in God's power rather than human limitations. They were eyewitnesses, making their dissent even more credible and poignant.
* **"rent their clothes":** This climactic action is the focal point of the verse. It is a public, dramatic display of their anguish and protest. They are not merely disappointed; they are deeply distressed and morally outraged by the people's unbelief, which they perceive as a direct affront to God and a catastrophic rejection of His divine plan for their future. This act serves as a visual sermon, powerfully communicating the gravity of the people's sin.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices. **Contrast** is paramount, setting Joshua and Caleb's faith and righteous indignation against the fear and rebellion of the vast majority of the Israelites and the other ten spies. This stark opposition highlights the spiritual battle between trust in God and human unbelief. The act of "rending their clothes" is a powerful **Symbolism**, representing not just personal grief but a public, prophetic lament over the nation's spiritual apostasy and a dramatic protest against their rejection of God's covenant. This gesture also functions as a form of **Dramatic Irony**, as the people's immediate desire to return to Egypt will ironically lead to 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, while the very individuals they dismiss will be the ones to enter the Promised Land. Furthermore, the verse serves as **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the distinct destiny awaiting Joshua and Caleb due to their faithfulness, contrasting with the judgment awaiting the unfaithful generation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 14:6 profoundly illustrates the theological tension between divine promise and human response. God's covenant faithfulness is unwavering, yet the realization of His promises often hinges on human faith and obedience. Joshua and Caleb embody the ideal response: a deep-seated trust in God's omnipotence and a courageous willingness to stand for truth, even when it means opposing the popular tide. Their actions underscore that unbelief is not merely a lack of intellectual assent but an active rebellion against God's character and word, carrying severe consequences. Conversely, faith is portrayed as the pathway to inheriting God's blessings and entering into His promised rest. This episode serves as a stark warning against the dangers of fear, murmuring, and rejecting God's provision, while simultaneously celebrating the virtue of unwavering devotion.

* [Deuteronomy 1:35-36](/deuteronomy/1-35 "Deuteronomy 1:35-36 - God's Oath Regarding the Unbelieving Generation")
* [Hebrews 3:17-19](/hebrews/3-17 "Hebrews 3:17-19 - The Consequences of Unbelief")
* [Numbers 32:11-12](/numbers/32-11 "Numbers 32:11-12 - God's Commendation of Caleb and Joshua")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The courageous stand of Joshua and Caleb in Numbers 14:6 offers timeless principles for believers navigating a world often characterized by doubt, fear, and opposition to God's truth. Their example calls us to cultivate a robust faith that looks beyond immediate obstacles to the omnipotence and faithfulness of God. In moments where the majority succumbs to fear or popular opinion deviates from biblical truth, we are challenged to possess the moral courage to dissent, to speak truth, and to stand firm on God's promises, even if it means being unpopular or facing opposition. This passage reminds us that true spiritual leadership is not about appeasing the crowd but about faithfully guiding people towards God's will, trusting that He will vindicate His word and His people. It encourages us to lament and protest against the spiritual apathy and unbelief prevalent in our own contexts, praying for a renewed vision of God's power and a deeper commitment to His purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to allow fear to overshadow faith in God's promises?**
* **When have you felt called to stand against a popular opinion or prevailing fear, and what held you back or propelled you forward?**
* **How does the "rending of clothes" by Joshua and Caleb inspire you to express your distress or protest against spiritual compromise or unbelief in your community?**
* **What specific promises of God do you need to cling to more firmly in the face of daunting challenges?**

### FAQ

**Why was rending clothes such a significant act for Joshua and Caleb?**

Answer: Rending clothes was a deeply symbolic and public act in ancient Israelite culture, signifying extreme emotional distress, grief, horror, or profound protest. For Joshua and Caleb, it was far more than a display of sadness; it was a powerful, non-verbal condemnation of the Israelites' unbelief and rebellion against God. It communicated their shock and indignation at the people's willingness to reject God's promises and return to slavery in Egypt. This dramatic gesture underscored the gravity of the people's sin in their eyes, akin to a public lament over spiritual apostasy.

**What was the immediate consequence of the people's unbelief following the spies' report?**

Answer: The immediate consequence of the people's unbelief and their desire to return to Egypt was a severe divine judgment. As recorded in [Numbers 14:28-35](/numbers/14-28 "Numbers 14:28-35 - God's Judgment on Israel"), God declared that the entire generation of Israelites twenty years old and above, who had grumbled and refused to trust Him, would die in the wilderness and would not enter the Promised Land. Only Joshua and Caleb, due to their unwavering faith, would be permitted to enter. The nation was condemned to wander in the wilderness for forty years, one year for each day the spies explored the land, until that rebellious generation had perished.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The faithful stand of Joshua and Caleb in [Numbers 14:6](/numbers/14-6 "Numbers 14:6 - Joshua and Caleb's Faith") finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Just as Joshua (whose Hebrew name, *Yehoshua*, is the same as Jesus) led Israel into the earthly promised land, so Jesus, the true and greater Joshua, leads His people into the heavenly and spiritual inheritance. While Joshua and Caleb expressed anguish over Israel's unbelief, Christ Himself lamented over Jerusalem's rejection of Him, crying out, "[O Jerusalem, Jerusalem... How often would I have gathered thy children together... and ye would not!](/matthew/23-37 "Matthew 23:37 - Jesus' Lament over Jerusalem")" (Matthew 23:37). Unlike the Israelites who failed to enter God's rest due to unbelief ([Hebrews 3:19](/hebrews/3-19 "Hebrews 3:19 - The Failure to Enter God's Rest")), Christ perfectly trusted the Father, even to the point of death on the cross, thereby opening the way for all who believe to enter into true spiritual rest and the eternal promised land of God's presence ([Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9 "Hebrews 4:9-10 - The Promise of Rest for God's People")). He is the faithful leader who, through His perfect obedience and sacrifice, overcomes the "giants" of sin and death, securing the inheritance for His people and ensuring that "whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love and Eternal Life")).

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 13:30

And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.

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.

Genesis 37:34

And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.

Genesis 37:29

And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph [was] not in the pit; and he rent his clothes.

Numbers 13:8

Of the tribe of Ephraim, Oshea the son of Nun.

Numbers 13:6

Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.

Numbers 14:38

But Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, [which were] of the men that went to search the land, lived [still].