Numbers 14:38
New International Version
Of the men who went to explore the land, only Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh survived.

New Living Translation
Of the twelve who had explored the land, only Joshua and Caleb remained alive.

English Standard Version
Of those men who went to spy out the land, only Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive.

Berean Standard Bible
Of those men who had gone to spy out the land, only Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh remained alive.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive, of the men who went to spy out the land.

New American Standard Bible
But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive out of those men who went to spy out the land.

NASB 1995
But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive out of those men who went to spy out the land.

NASB 1977
But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive out of those men who went to spy out the land.

Legacy Standard Bible
But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive out of those men who went to spy out the land.

Amplified Bible
But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive out of those men who went to spy out the land.

Christian Standard Bible
Only Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh remained alive of those men who went to scout out the land.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Only Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh remained alive of those men who went to scout out the land.

American Standard Version
But Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, remained alive of those men that went to spy out the land.

Contemporary English Version
but he let Joshua and Caleb live.

English Revised Version
But Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, remained alive of those men that went to spy out the land.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Of all the men who went to explore the land, only Joshua (son of Nun) and Caleb (son of Jephunneh) survived.

Good News Translation
Of the twelve spies only Joshua and Caleb survived.

International Standard Version
However, Nun's son Joshua and Jephunneh's son Caleb, who had explored the land, remained alive.

Majority Standard Bible
Of those men who had gone to spy out the land, only Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh remained alive.

NET Bible
But Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among the men who went to investigate the land, lived.

New Heart English Bible
But Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, remained alive of those men who went to spy out the land.

Webster's Bible Translation
But Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were of the men that went to search the land, lived still.

World English Bible
But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive of those men who went to spy out the land.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh have lived, of those men who go to spy out the land.

Young's Literal Translation
and Joshua son of Nun, and Caleb son of Jephunneh, have lived of those men who go to spy out the land.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Joshua, son of Nun, and Caleb, son of Jephunneh, lived, from those men going to search out the land.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But Josue .the son of Nun. and Caleb the son of Jephone lived, of all them that had gone to view the land.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But only Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive, out of all those who had journeyed to examine the land.

New American Bible
Only Joshua, son of Nun, and Caleb, son of Jephunneh, survived of all the men who had gone to reconnoiter the land.

New Revised Standard Version
But Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh alone remained alive, of those men who went to spy out the land.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jophaniah, who were of the men who went to spy out the land, still lived.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he saved Yeshua son of Nun and Kalab son of Yuphana from those men who went to spy the land.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, remained alive of those men that went to spy out the land.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Joshua the son of Naue and Chaleb the son of Jephonne still lived of those men that went to spy out the land.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Plague on the Ten Spies
37those men who had brought out the bad report about the land—were struck down by a plague before the LORD. 38Of those men who had gone to spy out the land, only Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh remained alive. 39And when Moses relayed these words to all the Israelites, the people mourned bitterly.…

Cross References
Joshua 14:6-10
Then 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. / 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. / Although my brothers who went with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear, I remained loyal to the LORD my God. ...

Joshua 14:13-14
Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. / Therefore Hebron belongs to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite as an inheritance to this day, because he wholly followed the LORD, the God of Israel.

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.”

Deuteronomy 1:38
Joshua son of Nun, who stands before you, will enter it. Encourage him, for he will enable Israel to inherit the land.

Joshua 1:1-2
Now after the death of His servant Moses, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying, / “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore arise, you and all these people, and cross over the Jordan into the land that I am giving to the children of Israel.

Joshua 1:5-6
No one shall stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so will I be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. / Be strong and courageous, for you shall give these people the inheritance of the land that I swore to their fathers I would give them.

Joshua 1:16-18
So they answered Joshua, “Everything you have commanded us we will do, and everywhere you send us we will go. / Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. And may the LORD your God be with you, as He was with Moses. / Anyone who rebels against your order and does not obey your words, all that you command him, will be put to death. Above all, be strong and courageous!”

Numbers 26:65
For the LORD had told them that they would surely die in the wilderness. Not one was left 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.’

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

Numbers 13:8
from the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea son of Nun;

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.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

Numbers 26:65
For the LORD had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. And there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.

Joshua 14:6-10
Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadeshbarnea…

Jump to Previous
Alive Caleb Disease Explore Jephunneh Jephun'neh Search Spy Survived Touched
Jump to Next
Alive Caleb Disease Explore Jephunneh Jephun'neh Search Spy Survived Touched
Numbers 14
1. The people murmur at the news
6. Joshua and Caleb labor to still them
11. God threatens them
13. Moses intercedes with God, and obtains pardon
26. The Murmurers are debarred from entering into the land
36. The men who raised the evil report die by a plague
40. The people that would invade the land against the will of God are smitten














Of those men who had gone to spy out the land
This phrase refers to the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore Canaan, as recorded in Numbers 13. These men were leaders from each of the twelve tribes of Israel, tasked with assessing the land's fertility, the strength of its inhabitants, and the fortifications of its cities. The mission was crucial for the Israelites, who were on the brink of entering the Promised Land after their exodus from Egypt. The spies' report would influence the entire nation's faith and actions.

only Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh
Joshua and Caleb were the only two spies who brought back a positive report, encouraging the Israelites to trust in God's promise and take possession of the land. Their faith and courage set them apart from the other ten spies, who incited fear and rebellion among the people. Joshua, from the tribe of Ephraim, and Caleb, from the tribe of Judah, demonstrated unwavering trust in God's power and promises. Their faithfulness is later rewarded, as they are the only members of their generation permitted to enter the Promised Land (Numbers 14:30).

remained alive
This phrase highlights the consequence of disbelief and rebellion against God. The other ten spies, who spread a negative report and caused the people to doubt, were struck down by a plague (Numbers 14:37). This judgment underscores the seriousness of unbelief and disobedience. Joshua and Caleb's survival is a testament to God's faithfulness to those who trust Him. Their preservation serves as a foreshadowing of the ultimate reward for faithfulness, pointing to the eternal life promised to believers in Christ.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Joshua son of Nun
One of the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan. Joshua, along with Caleb, brought back a positive report and trusted in God's promise to give Israel the land.

2. Caleb son of Jephunneh
Another of the twelve spies, Caleb stood with Joshua in faith, encouraging the Israelites to trust in God's power to conquer the land.

3. The Twelve Spies
A group of leaders from each of the twelve tribes of Israel sent by Moses to scout the Promised Land. Ten of them returned with a negative report, leading to the Israelites' rebellion.

4. The Land of Canaan
The Promised Land that God had assured to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It was a land flowing with milk and honey, symbolizing abundance and God's faithfulness.

5. The Israelite Rebellion
The event where the Israelites, influenced by the negative report of the ten spies, doubted God's promise and refused to enter the Promised Land, resulting in God's judgment.
Teaching Points
Faith Over Fear
Joshua and Caleb exemplify the importance of trusting in God's promises despite overwhelming circumstances. Believers are encouraged to choose faith over fear in their own lives.

The Consequences of Unbelief
The account of the ten spies and the resulting rebellion of the Israelites serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unbelief and disobedience to God's commands.

God's Faithfulness to the Faithful
Caleb and Joshua's survival and eventual entry into the Promised Land underscore God's faithfulness to those who remain steadfast in their faith.

Standing Firm in Minority
Sometimes standing for truth and faith means being in the minority. Joshua and Caleb's example encourages believers to stand firm in their convictions, even when others do not.

The Reward of Perseverance
The eventual reward for Joshua and Caleb's faithfulness reminds believers that perseverance in faith will ultimately lead to God's blessings and fulfillment of His promises.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Of
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

those
הָהֵ֔ם (hā·hêm)
Article | Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

men
הָאֲנָשִׁ֣ים (hā·’ă·nā·šîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

who had gone
הַֽהֹלְכִ֖ים (ha·hō·lə·ḵîm)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

to spy
לָת֥וּר (lā·ṯūr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 8446: To meander, about, for, trade, reconnoitring

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

only Joshua
וִיהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ (wî·hō·wō·šu·a‘)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3091: Joshua -- 'the LORD is salvation', Moses' successor, also the name of a number of Israelites

son
בִּן־ (bin-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Nun
נ֔וּן (nūn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5126: Nun -- father of Joshua

and Caleb
וְכָלֵ֖ב (wə·ḵā·lêḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3612: Caleb -- a son of Jephunneh and sent by Moses to spy out the land

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

of Jephunneh
יְפֻנֶּ֑ה (yə·p̄un·neh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3312: Jephunneh -- father of Caleb, also an Asherite

remained alive.
חָיוּ֙ (ḥā·yū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 2421: To live, to revive


Links
Numbers 14:38 NIV
Numbers 14:38 NLT
Numbers 14:38 ESV
Numbers 14:38 NASB
Numbers 14:38 KJV

Numbers 14:38 BibleApps.com
Numbers 14:38 Biblia Paralela
Numbers 14:38 Chinese Bible
Numbers 14:38 French Bible
Numbers 14:38 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Numbers 14:38 But Joshua the son of Nun (Nu Num.)
Numbers 14:37
Top of Page
Top of Page