Numbers 14:6

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

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}:

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

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

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

Numbers 14:6 vividly portrays the intense distress and righteous indignation of Joshua and Caleb, two of the twelve spies sent by Moses to scout the land of Canaan. Their dramatic act of rending their clothes signals a profound protest against the faithlessness and rebellion of the Israelite community.

Context

This verse occurs at a critical juncture in Israel's wilderness journey. Moses had sent twelve leaders, one from each tribe, to explore the Promised Land (Numbers 13:1-2). After 40 days, they returned with a report. While all agreed the land was rich and fruitful, ten of the spies focused on the formidable inhabitants and fortified cities, instilling fear and doubt among the people (Numbers 13:32-33). This negative report led to widespread panic, weeping, and a desire among the Israelites to choose a new leader and return to Egypt (Numbers 14:1-4). In stark contrast, Joshua and Caleb, the only two who brought back a positive report grounded in faith in God's power, publicly displayed their anguish at the people's lack of trust in the Lord.

Key Themes

  • Faith vs. Fear: Joshua and Caleb exemplify unwavering faith in God's promises, directly opposing the overwhelming fear and unbelief that gripped the rest of the nation. They believed God was able to deliver the land into their hands, despite the giants and strong cities.
  • Courageous Dissent: Their act was a bold, public stand against popular opinion and a direct challenge to the people's rebellious mindset. They risked their own safety by speaking truth when everyone else was consumed by fear and despair.
  • Righteous Indignation: Rending clothes was a powerful ancient Near Eastern custom, signifying extreme grief, despair, or profound shock and protest, often against blasphemy or grave sin. Joshua and Caleb were not merely sad; they were deeply distressed and indignant at the people's rejection of God's covenant and their willingness to abandon His divine plan.
  • Godly Leadership: This verse highlights Joshua and Caleb as exemplary leaders who prioritize God's will and truth above the immediate desires or fears of the crowd, foreshadowing their future roles in Israel's history.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "rent their clothes" (Hebrew: ืงึธืจึทืข ืึถืชึพื‘ึฐึผื’ึธื“ึธื™ื•, qara' et-begadav) is a significant cultural gesture in the ancient world. It was not a casual act but a deeply symbolic one, indicating intense emotional turmoil. It could express sorrow (as in mourning), horror (at blasphemy or terrible news), or, as here, profound distress and protest against sin or rebellion against God. It underscores the severity of the people's actions in the eyes of Joshua and Caleb.

Practical Application

The actions of Joshua and Caleb in Numbers 14:6 offer timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Stand for Truth: Even when surrounded by doubt and fear, we are called to stand firm on God's promises and truth, just as Joshua and Caleb did (Ephesians 6:13).
  • Overcome Fear with Faith: This passage reminds us that fear often paralyzes and leads to disobedience, while faith in God's power enables us to face challenges and pursue His will, knowing He fights for us.
  • Courage in Conviction: It takes courage to go against the tide of popular opinion, especially when that tide is against God's will. Joshua and Caleb demonstrate the importance of integrity and conviction in the face of widespread unbelief.
  • Trust in God's Promises: Their faith was rooted in the certainty of God's covenant promises. Similarly, our hope and strength come from trusting in God's unfailing word and His faithfulness to His people (Hebrews 11:6).

Joshua and Caleb's dramatic gesture serves as a powerful reminder of the spiritual battle between faith and unbelief, and the importance of courageous leadership grounded in divine trust.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.
The Twelve Spies and the Report from Canaan Caleb: A Man with a Different Spirit An Introduction to Numbers: Journey in the Wilderness Moses' Intercession for Israel Joshua: The Courageous Successor

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].
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