Joshua 14:7
New International Version
I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions,

New Living Translation
I was forty years old when Moses, the servant of the LORD, sent me from Kadesh-barnea to explore the land of Canaan. I returned and gave an honest report,

English Standard Version
I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought him word again as it was in my heart.

Berean Standard Bible
I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought back to him an honest report.

King James Bible
Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart.

New King James Version
I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to spy out the land, and I brought back word to him as it was in my heart.

New American Standard Bible
I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought word back to him as it was in my heart.

NASB 1995
“I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought word back to him as it was in my heart.

NASB 1977
“I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought word back to him as it was in my heart.

Legacy Standard Bible
I was forty years old when Moses the servant of Yahweh sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought word back to him as it was in my heart.

Amplified Bible
I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to scout the land [of Canaan], and I brought a report back to him as it was in my heart.

Christian Standard Bible
I was forty years old when Moses the LORD’s servant sent me from Kadesh-barnea to scout the land, and I brought back an honest report.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I was 40 years old when Moses the LORD’s servant sent me from Kadesh-barnea to scout the land, and I brought back an honest report.

American Standard Version
Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of Jehovah sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in my heart.

Contemporary English Version
I was 40 years old at the time Moses sent me from Kadesh-Barnea into Canaan as a spy. When I came back and told him about the land, everything I said was true.

English Revised Version
Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I was 40 years old when the LORD's servant Moses sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. I reported to him exactly what I thought.

Good News Translation
I was forty years old when the LORD's servant Moses sent me from Kadesh Barnea to spy out this land. I brought an honest report back to him.

International Standard Version
I was 40 years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to scout the land. I brought back an honest report to him.

Majority Standard Bible
I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought back to him an honest report.

NET Bible
I was forty years old when Moses, the LORD's servant, sent me from Kadesh Barnea to spy on the land and I brought back to him an honest report.

New Heart English Bible
I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to spy out the land. I brought him word again as it was in my heart.

Webster's Bible Translation
Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to explore the land; and I brought him word again as it was in my heart.

World English Bible
I was forty years old when Moses the servant of Yahweh sent me from Kadesh Barnea to spy out the land. I brought him word again as it was in my heart.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
I [was] a son of forty years in Moses, servant of YHWH, sending me from Kadesh-Barnea, to spy out the land, and I bring him back word as with my heart;

Young's Literal Translation
a son of forty years am I in Moses, servant of Jehovah, sending me from Kadesh-Barnea, to spy the land, and I bring him back word as with my heart;

Smith's Literal Translation
The son of forty years was I in Moses the servant of Jehovah sending me from Kadesh-Barnea to spy the land; and I will turn back word to him as with my heart.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
I was forty Bears old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me m from Cadesbarne, to view the land, and I brought him word again as to me seemed true.

Catholic Public Domain Version
I was forty years old when Moses, the servant of the Lord, sent me from Kadesh-barnea, so that I might consider the land. And I reported to him what seemed to me to be true.

New American Bible
I was forty years old when Moses, the servant of the LORD, sent me from Kadesh-barnea to reconnoiter the land; and I brought back to him a frank report.

New Revised Standard Version
I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land; and I brought him an honest report.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Rakim-gia to spy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in my heart.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
When I was a son of forty years, then when Moshe the Servant of God sent me from Raqem d’Gaya to explore the land and I brought him an answer according to what was in my heart
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land; and I brought him back word as it was in my heart.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For I was forty years old when Moses the servant of God sent me out of Cades Barne to spy out the land; and I returned him an answer according to his mind.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Caleb Requests Hebron
6Then the sons of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know what the LORD said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh-barnea about you and me. 7I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought back to him an honest report. 8Although my brothers who went with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear, I remained loyal to the LORD my God.…

Cross References
Numbers 13:30
Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “We must go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly conquer it!”

Numbers 14:6-9
Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes / and said to the whole congregation of Israel, “The land we passed through and explored is an exceedingly good land. / If the LORD delights in us, He will bring us into this land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and He will give it to us. ...

Deuteronomy 1:36
except Caleb son of Jephunneh. He will see it, and I will give him and his descendants the land on which he has set foot, because he followed the LORD wholeheartedly.”

Numbers 14:24
But because My servant Caleb has a different spirit and has followed Me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he has entered, and his descendants will inherit it.

Numbers 13:6
from the tribe of Judah, Caleb son of Jephunneh;

Numbers 14:38
Of those men who had gone to spy out the land, only Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh remained alive.

Deuteronomy 1:22-23
Then all of you approached me and said, “Let us send men ahead of us to search out the land and bring us word of what route to follow and which cities to enter.” / The plan seemed good to me, so I selected twelve men from among you, one from each tribe.

Numbers 13:2
“Send out for yourself men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each of their fathers’ tribes send one man who is a leader among them.”

Numbers 14:30
Surely none of you will enter the land in which I swore to settle you, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.

Numbers 32:12
not one except Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua son of Nun—because they did follow the LORD wholeheartedly.’

Hebrews 3:16-19
For who were the ones who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? / And with whom was God angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? / And to whom did He swear that they would never enter His rest? Was it not to those who disobeyed? ...

Hebrews 4:1-2
Therefore, while the promise of entering His rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be deemed to have fallen short of it. / For we also received the good news just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, since they did not share the faith of those who comprehended it.

1 Corinthians 10:5-6
Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, for they were struck down in the wilderness. / These things took place as examples to keep us from craving evil things as they did.

Hebrews 11:31
By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies in peace, did not perish with those who were disobedient.

1 Corinthians 10:11
Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.


Treasury of Scripture

Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in my heart.

sent me

Numbers 13:6,16-20
Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh…

I brought

Numbers 13:26-33
And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land…

Numbers 14:6-10
And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes: …

Jump to Previous
Account Barnea Desire Espy Explore Heart Kadesh Kadeshbarnea Kadesh-Barnea Ka'desh-Bar'nea Keeping Moses Report Search Sending Servant Spy Word
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Account Barnea Desire Espy Explore Heart Kadesh Kadeshbarnea Kadesh-Barnea Ka'desh-Bar'nea Keeping Moses Report Search Sending Servant Spy Word
Joshua 14
1. The nine tribes and a half are to have their inheritance by lot
6. Caleb by privilege obtains Hebron














I was forty years old
This phrase sets the stage for Caleb's testimony, highlighting his age at the time of the initial exploration of Canaan. The number forty in the Bible often symbolizes a period of testing or trial. Caleb's age signifies maturity and readiness, reflecting a life seasoned by experience and faithfulness. In the Hebrew context, age is associated with wisdom and respect, and Caleb's declaration underscores his credibility and the weight of his testimony.

when Moses the servant of the LORD
Moses is referred to as "the servant of the LORD," a title that emphasizes his role as a faithful leader and mediator between God and Israel. This phrase reminds us of Moses' unique relationship with God and his authority in leading the Israelites. The Hebrew word for "servant" (עֶבֶד, 'eved) conveys a sense of humility and dedication, qualities that Moses exemplified throughout his life. Caleb's reference to Moses underscores the divine authority behind the mission to explore the land.

sent me from Kadesh-barnea
Kadesh-barnea serves as a significant geographical and historical marker. It was a key location during Israel's wilderness wanderings, representing both a place of decision and a point of departure for the exploration of Canaan. The name "Kadesh" means "holy" or "sacred," indicating its importance in Israel's journey. Caleb's mention of this place highlights the pivotal moment when the Israelites were on the brink of entering the Promised Land, emphasizing the gravity of the mission.

to spy out the land
The task of spying out the land was a mission of reconnaissance, intended to gather information about Canaan's inhabitants and resources. The Hebrew verb used here (תּוּר, tur) means "to explore" or "to seek out," suggesting a thorough and intentional investigation. This mission was not merely a military strategy but a test of faith, as the Israelites were called to trust in God's promise despite the challenges they would face.

and I brought him back a report
Caleb's role in bringing back a report highlights his responsibility and integrity. The Hebrew word for "report" (דָּבָר, davar) can also mean "word" or "matter," indicating the significance of his testimony. Caleb's report was not just a factual account but a declaration of faith, as he focused on God's promise rather than the obstacles. His faithfulness in delivering an honest and courageous report sets an example for believers to speak truthfully and trust in God's provision.

according to my convictions
This phrase reveals Caleb's inner strength and unwavering faith. The Hebrew concept of "convictions" (עַל־לְבָבִי, al-levavi) relates to the heart, symbolizing one's innermost beliefs and commitments. Caleb's convictions were rooted in his trust in God and His promises. His steadfastness serves as an inspiration for believers to hold firm to their faith, even when faced with opposition or doubt. Caleb's example encourages us to align our actions with our beliefs, demonstrating integrity and courage in our walk with God.

(7) Forty years old was I . . . and (10) I am this day fourscore and five years old.--In this speech we have the only direct evidence as to the duration of the wars of Canaan under Joshua. The spies were sent from Kadesh-barnea in the second year of the Exodus, about 38« years before the passage of Jordan (see Deuteronomy 2:14). Thus Caleb would be 40+38=78 years old when they crossed the Jordan. He was 85 when they began to divide the country. Therefore the conquest itself must have extended over a period of seven years. It is manifest that the record of the capture of Jericho and Ai, with the two campaigns of Joshua against the southern and northern confederacies, does not give all the details of the war.

Verse 7. - Forty years old. The Hebrew expression is "the son of forty years." Compare the expressions "son of man," "sons of Belial," "son of the perverse re. bellious woman." As it was in my heart. Literally, according as with my heart, i.e., in agreement with what I saw and felt. The LXX. reads "according to his mind," i.e., that of Moses. Houbigant and Le Clerc approve of this reading, but it seems quite out of keeping with the character of Caleb. He did not endeavour to accommodate his report to the wishes of any man, but gave what he himself believed to be a true and faithful account of what he had seen and heard (see Numbers 13:30; Numbers 14:7-9; Deuteronomy 1:36).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
I [was]
אָנֹכִ֗י (’ā·nō·ḵî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I

forty
אַרְבָּעִ֨ים (’ar·bā·‘îm)
Number - common plural
Strong's 705: Forty

years old
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

when Moses
מֹשֶׁ֨ה (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

the servant
עֶֽבֶד־ (‘e·ḇeḏ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

of the LORD
יְהוָ֥ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

sent
בִּ֠שְׁלֹחַ (biš·lō·aḥ)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

me
אֹתִ֛י (’ō·ṯî)
Direct object marker | first person common singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

from
מִקָּדֵ֥שׁ (miq·qā·ḏêš)
Preposition
Strong's Hebrew

Kadesh-barnea
בַּרְנֵ֖עַ (bar·nê·a‘)
Preposition | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6947: Kadesh-barnea -- a place in the desert

to spy out
לְרַגֵּ֣ל (lə·rag·gêl)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7270: To walk along, to reconnoiter, to be a, tale-bearer, to lead about

the land,
הָאָ֑רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

and I brought back
וָאָשֵׁ֤ב (wā·’ā·šêḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

to him
אֹתוֹ֙ (’ō·ṯōw)
Direct object marker | third person masculine singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

an honest
כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

report.
דָּבָ֔ר (dā·ḇār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause


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OT History: Joshua 14:7 I was forty years old when Moses (Josh. Jos)
Joshua 14:6
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