They were utterly grieved by Israel’s lack of trust.
Joshua and Caleb stand out as two faithful spies among the group that explored the Promised Land. In Numbers 14:6, the text says: “And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, of those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes” (Numbers 14:6). By tearing their clothes, Joshua and Caleb visually express their desperate grief and alarm at the people’s rebellion and lack of trust in God. Their reaction points to deep distress over Israel’s reluctance to follow God’s leading, showing that they intimately perceived the importance of submitting to the Lord’s promise rather than succumbing to fear.
The verse highlights two important leaders: Joshua, the son of Nun, and Caleb, the son of Jephunneh. Historically, Joshua was Moses’ assistant during the time of Israel’s exodus from Egypt, which is estimated around 1446 BC. He would later become Moses’ successor, guiding the Israelites into Canaan after Moses’ death (around 1406 BC). Caleb also lived during this same period and earned a unique inheritance in the land because of his unwavering devotion and faith. The “land” they had spied out refers to the region of Canaan, an area corresponding roughly to modern-day Israel and Palestine. The people of Israel had been traveling in the wilderness, approaching this land with the aim of possessing it as their divinely promised home.
Their act of tearing clothes underscores the seriousness with which they regarded unbelief. This concept connects clearly to the New Testament emphasis on wholehearted faith, exemplified by Jesus’ own references to trusting in God's plan (Matthew 21:21). When we read about Joshua and Caleb’s response, we see that God often calls His followers to reject fear and follow Him in confidence. Their boldness models courageous obedience, showing that true faith requires heartbreak over dishonoring God as well as unyielding trust in His power.
Set to dark mode
Numbers 14:6 meaning
Joshua and Caleb stand out as two faithful spies among the group that explored the Promised Land. In Numbers 14:6, the text says: “And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, of those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes” (Numbers 14:6). By tearing their clothes, Joshua and Caleb visually express their desperate grief and alarm at the people’s rebellion and lack of trust in God. Their reaction points to deep distress over Israel’s reluctance to follow God’s leading, showing that they intimately perceived the importance of submitting to the Lord’s promise rather than succumbing to fear.
The verse highlights two important leaders: Joshua, the son of Nun, and Caleb, the son of Jephunneh. Historically, Joshua was Moses’ assistant during the time of Israel’s exodus from Egypt, which is estimated around 1446 BC. He would later become Moses’ successor, guiding the Israelites into Canaan after Moses’ death (around 1406 BC). Caleb also lived during this same period and earned a unique inheritance in the land because of his unwavering devotion and faith. The “land” they had spied out refers to the region of Canaan, an area corresponding roughly to modern-day Israel and Palestine. The people of Israel had been traveling in the wilderness, approaching this land with the aim of possessing it as their divinely promised home.
Their act of tearing clothes underscores the seriousness with which they regarded unbelief. This concept connects clearly to the New Testament emphasis on wholehearted faith, exemplified by Jesus’ own references to trusting in God's plan (Matthew 21:21). When we read about Joshua and Caleb’s response, we see that God often calls His followers to reject fear and follow Him in confidence. Their boldness models courageous obedience, showing that true faith requires heartbreak over dishonoring God as well as unyielding trust in His power.