Numbers 32:12
Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, and Joshua the son of Nun: for they have wholly followed the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
בִּלְתִּ֞י
H1115
בִּלְתִּ֞י
Strong's:
H1115
Word #:
1 of 12
properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n
בִּן
the son
H1121
בִּן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 12
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בִּן
the son
H1121
בִּן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
7 of 12
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
9 of 12
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מִלְא֖וּ
for they have wholly
H4390
מִלְא֖וּ
for they have wholly
Strong's:
H4390
Word #:
10 of 12
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 1:36Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh; he shall see it, and to him will I give the land that he hath trodden upon, and to his children, because he hath wholly followed the LORD.Numbers 14:24But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.Numbers 14:30Doubtless 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.
Historical Context
Caleb was 40 when he spied out Canaan and 85 at the conquest's beginning (Joshua 14:7-10), remaining vigorous to claim Hebron. Joshua led Israel for approximately 25 years following Moses's death. Both men's faithfulness during the Kadesh crisis earned them entry into the land, while their contemporaries perished. The Kenezites were originally an Edomite clan (Genesis 36:11), suggesting Caleb's family had joined Israel, possibly during the wilderness period.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Caleb and Joshua's minority faithfulness teach about standing against popular unbelief?
- How does "wholly following" the LORD differ from partial or selective obedience?
- What does Caleb's Kenezite heritage reveal about God's inclusion of faithful outsiders in His covenant purposes?
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Analysis & Commentary
Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, and Joshua the son of Nun: for they have wholly followed the LORD—Only two men from the exodus generation survived to enter Canaan. The phrase "wholly followed" (male acharei, מָלֵא אַחֲרֵי, literally "filled after") depicts complete, unreserved obedience—they followed God with full devotion, holding nothing back.
Caleb and Joshua exemplified faithful covenant loyalty when all others despaired. Their minority report (Numbers 13:30; 14:6-9) trusted God's power over apparent obstacles. The identification of Caleb as "the Kenezite" may indicate Edomite ancestry, showing God grafts faithful foreigners into His covenant people—a Gentile inclusion motif anticipating the Church. Joshua, Moses's successor, would lead the conquest. Their reward demonstrates that faithful obedience, even in opposition to the majority, secures God's promises.