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.

JOSHUA 14:7KJV
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Joshua 14:7 (KJV)

What does Joshua 14:7 mean?

Joshua 14:7 records Joshua recalling that he was forty years old when Moses, serving the LORD, sent him from Kadeshbarnea to scout out the land, and that he reported back honestly, sharing what was truly in his heart. Joshua is emphasizing his faithful and sincere report during the mission to explore Canaan.

Joshua is speaking to the Israelites as they divide the land of Canaan, reminding them of his role as one of the original spies sent by Moses. The verse highlights Joshua’s integrity and the trust Moses placed in him, setting the stage for why Joshua is now receiving his inheritance in the land.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 14:7

  • "Servant" (עֶבֶד, ʿeved): This word describes Moses as someone who serves the LORD, stressing Moses’ humble and obedient relationship to God, which adds weight to his actions and decisions.
  • "Heart" (לֵבָב, levav): Joshua says he brought back word "as it was in mine heart," meaning he spoke honestly and from deep conviction, not just repeating what others wanted to hear.

Why Joshua 14:7 matters

  • The verse clarifies that Joshua’s report about the land was genuine and personal, not influenced by fear or the opinions of the other spies.
  • By recalling his faithful actions, Joshua establishes his credibility and right to receive his promised inheritance, connecting his past faithfulness to the present moment.
  • The mention of Kadeshbarnea and the original scouting mission ties this moment to earlier events in Israel’s journey, reminding the people of the long history and the consequences of their choices.

Where else these words appear

“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.

“out” Hebrew H7270 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 42:9 And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.
  • Numbers 21:32 And Moses sent to spy out Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof, and drove out the Amorites that were there.
  • Judges 18:14 Then answered the five men that went to spy out the country of Laish, and said unto their brethren, Do ye know that there is in these houses an ephod, and teraphim, and a graven image, and a molten image? now therefore consider what ye have to do.

“Forty” Hebrew H705 · used in 124 verses

  • Genesis 5:13 And Cainan lived after he begat Mahalaleel eight hundred and forty years, and begat sons and daughters:
  • Deuteronomy 8:2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.
  • 1 Chronicles 12:36 And of Asher, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, forty thousand.