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.

JOSHUA 14:6KJV
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Joshua 14:6 (KJV)

What does Joshua 14:6 mean?

Joshua 14:6 describes how the tribe of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb, the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, reminded Joshua of what the LORD had said to Moses about both of them at Kadeshbarnea. Caleb is bringing up a past promise or statement made by God concerning himself and Joshua.

In this verse, the focus is on a meeting between Caleb and Joshua after the Israelites have entered the Promised Land. Caleb, representing the tribe of Judah, speaks directly to Joshua and refers back to an important moment when God spoke to Moses about them at Kadeshbarnea, the place where the Israelites had previously hesitated to enter the land. Caleb is setting the stage for a request based on God’s earlier words.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 14:6

  • "Judah" (יְהוּדָה, Yehudah): This word identifies the specific tribe approaching Joshua, highlighting the importance of tribal identity in the distribution of the land.
  • "Kenezite" (קְנִזִּי, Qenizzi): This term shows Caleb’s family background, which is not originally Israelite but associated with the tribe of Judah, emphasizing that faithfulness to God, not just ancestry, is significant in Israel’s story.
  • "Kadeshbarnea" (קָדֵשׁ בַּרְנֵעַ, Qadesh Barnea): Mentioning this location points back to the pivotal event when the Israelites failed to trust God, giving context to Caleb’s reminder of God’s promise.

Why Joshua 14:6 matters

  • Joshua 14:6 clears up that Caleb was not just acting on his own but was appealing to a specific promise God made through Moses, grounding his request in God’s word rather than personal ambition.
  • The verse highlights Caleb’s unique background as a Kenezite, showing that Israel’s story includes people from outside the original tribes who are faithful to God.
  • By referencing Kadeshbarnea, Joshua 14:6 connects this moment to the earlier failure of Israel to enter the land, underlining the significance of faith and perseverance over time.

Where else these words appear

“Kenezite” Hebrew H7074 · used in 4 verses

  • Genesis 15:19 The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites,
  • Numbers 32:12 Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, and Joshua the son of Nun: for they have wholly followed the LORD.
  • Joshua 14:14 Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel.

“me” Hebrew H182 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 21:11 And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son.
  • Exodus 18:8 And Moses told his father in law all that the LORD had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, and all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and how the LORD delivered them.
  • Judges 6:7 And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD because of the Midianites,

“Kadeshbarnea” Hebrew H6947 · used in 10 verses

  • Numbers 32:8 Thus did your fathers, when I sent them from Kadeshbarnea to see the land.
  • Deuteronomy 1:19 And when we departed from Horeb, we went through all that great and terrible wilderness, which ye saw by the way of the mountain of the Amorites, as the LORD our God commanded us; and we came to Kadeshbarnea.
  • Joshua 10:41 And Joshua smote them from Kadeshbarnea even unto Gaza, and all the country of Goshen, even unto Gibeon.

“Jephunneh” Hebrew H3312 · used in 16 verses

  • Numbers 13:6 Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.
  • Numbers 32:12 Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, and Joshua the son of Nun: for they have wholly followed the LORD.
  • Joshua 15:13 And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, even the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron.