And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes:

NUMBERS 14:6KJV
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Numbers 14:6 (KJV)

What does Numbers 14:6 mean?

Numbers 14:6 describes how Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, two of the men who had explored the land of Canaan, tore their clothes in response to what was happening. This act showed deep distress and grief over the situation unfolding among the Israelites.

In this scene, Joshua and Caleb are reacting to the people's fear and rebellion after hearing the negative report about Canaan from the other spies. Tearing one’s clothes was a traditional way in ancient Israel to show sorrow, shock, or protest, especially in moments of crisis or when people turned away from trusting God.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 14:6

  • "Rent" (קָרַע, qāraʿ): This word means to tear or rip apart. In the context of the verse, it refers to Joshua and Caleb physically tearing their garments, a strong outward sign of emotional pain or outrage.
  • "Clothes" (בֶּגֶד, beged): This refers to their garments or outer clothing. The act of tearing these clothes made their grief visible to everyone around them.

Why Numbers 14:6 matters

  • Numbers 14:6 highlights the emotional and spiritual seriousness of the Israelites’ refusal to trust God’s promise about the land, as seen through Joshua and Caleb’s reaction.
  • The verse shows that not all the spies agreed with the fearful majority; Joshua and Caleb’s actions set them apart as faithful and courageous.
  • Understanding this moment helps clarify why Joshua and Caleb later become key leaders, and why they alone among the spies 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.

“searched” 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 14:7 And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land.
  • 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.