And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God.

JOSHUA 14:9KJV
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Joshua 14:9 (KJV)

What does Joshua 14:9 mean?

Joshua 14:9 records Moses making a solemn promise that the land Caleb walked on would belong to him and his descendants forever, because Caleb had fully followed the LORD. This verse highlights a personal inheritance given as a reward for unwavering loyalty to God.

In this scene, Joshua is recalling what Moses said to Caleb many years earlier, after the Israelites first explored the land of Canaan. Moses swore (made an oath) that Caleb would receive as his inheritance the very land his feet had walked on, because Caleb had "wholly followed" (completely obeyed) the LORD. This sets the stage for Caleb’s request for his promised land in the surrounding verses.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 14:9

  • "Sware" (שָׁבַע, shava): This word means to make a solemn oath or promise, showing the seriousness and binding nature of Moses’ words to Caleb.
  • "Wholly" (מָלֵא, male): This word means "to fill" or "to be full," and here it emphasizes that Caleb followed God with his whole heart, not half-heartedly.
  • "Followed" (אַחַר, achar): This word means "to go after" or "to follow," stressing Caleb’s consistent and faithful obedience to God’s direction.

Why Joshua 14:9 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Caleb’s inheritance was not random or based on favoritism, but was a direct result of his wholehearted faithfulness to God.
  • The verse connects the promise made by Moses to its fulfillment, showing God’s faithfulness in keeping promises across generations.
  • It highlights the importance of individual faithfulness within the larger story of Israel, showing that personal obedience to God can have lasting effects for one’s family.

Where else these words appear

“trodden” Hebrew H1869 · used in 59 verses

  • Numbers 24:17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
  • Psalms 11:2 For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.
  • Jeremiah 9:3 And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the LORD.

“for” Hebrew H5704 · used in 97 verses

  • Genesis 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
  • 1 Samuel 20:23 And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, the LORD be between thee and me for ever.
  • Job 38:11 And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?