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 14:38KJV
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Numbers 14:38 (KJV)

What does Numbers 14:38 mean?

Numbers 14:38 states that only Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, out of the men sent to scout the land, survived. Everyone else from that group died. This verse highlights that Joshua and Caleb were spared when the rest of the spies perished.

In the story, God is responding to the Israelites’ refusal to enter the promised land after hearing the fearful report from most of the spies. Moses is recounting how only Joshua and Caleb, who trusted God’s promise, were allowed to live. The verse singles them out to show their unique faithfulness and the consequences for the others’ lack of trust.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 14:38

  • The word for "lived" is חָיָה (chayah), which means "to live" or "to remain alive." This emphasizes that Joshua and Caleb did not just survive physically, but were preserved by God’s choice.
  • The word for "search" is תּוּר (tur), meaning "to spy out" or "to explore." This points back to their specific mission and connects their survival directly to their role as scouts.

Why Numbers 14:38 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Joshua and Caleb’s survival was not random, but a direct result of their faith and obedience, setting them apart from the rest of the scouts.
  • Numbers 14:38 connects to the larger narrative of judgment and mercy in the wilderness, showing that trust in God’s promises leads to life.
  • The verse helps explain why Joshua and Caleb later become key leaders for Israel, as their faithfulness here is the reason they are allowed to enter the promised land.

Where else these words appear

“Jephunneh” Hebrew H3312 · used in 16 verses

  • Numbers 13:6 Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.
  • Numbers 34:19 And the names of the men are these: Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.
  • 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.

“search” Hebrew H8446 · used in 22 verses

  • Numbers 10:33 And they departed from the mount of the LORD three days' journey: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days' journey, to search out a resting place for them.
  • Numbers 14:6 And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes:
  • 1 Kings 10:15 Beside that he had of the merchantmen, and of the traffick of the spice merchants, and of all the kings of Arabia, and of the governors of the country.

“Nun” Hebrew H5126 · used in 30 verses

  • Exodus 33:11 And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.
  • Numbers 32:28 So concerning them Moses commanded Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the chief fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel:
  • Joshua 14:1 And these are the countries which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed for inheritance to them.

“Caleb” Hebrew H3612 · used in 35 verses

  • Numbers 13:6 Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.
  • 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.
  • Judges 1:20 And they gave Hebron unto Caleb, as Moses said: and he expelled thence the three sons of Anak.