Numbers 14:38 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Joshua and Caleb, the faithful spies, survive while their ten colleagues die.
The Context of Numbers 14:38
Joshua and Caleb are vindicated through their survival while the unfaithful spies perish.
What Does Numbers 14:38 Mean?
In sharp contrast to the ten spies' immediate death, Joshua and Caleb 'lived still.' They were among the same twelve sent to search the land, but their faithfulness to God's promise preserved them. They faced the same enemies, saw the same obstacles, yet their faith resulted in life, not death.
The juxtaposition—the ten die, Joshua and Caleb live—is a stark vindication. It shows that faith and faithlessness have immediate, observable consequences. Loyalty to God's word brings life; rejection of it brings death.
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 14:38
What does Numbers 14:38 mean?
Joshua and Caleb, the faithful spies, survive while their ten colleagues die.
What is the context of Numbers 14:38?
Joshua and Caleb are vindicated through their survival while the unfaithful spies perish.