Bible Strands
Numbers 14:6
Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, two of the twelve spies, tear their clothes in direct response to the Israelites' rebellion. This act occurs immediately after Moses and Aaron fall facedown before the congregation, marking the climax of the people's refusal to enter the Promised Land.
The words — The Hebrew הַתָּרִים (ha-tārim) literally means "those who spied out," identifying the men by their official mission. The accompanying verb for tearing clothes (קָרַע, qara) functions as a standard textual marker for acute distress or perceived national crisis.
The thread — The action of tearing garments appears elsewhere as a response to grave loss, such as Reuben's reaction to Joseph's disappearance (Genesis 37:29). The same two men are later singled out as the sole survivors permitted to enter the land (Numbers 14:30), following Caleb's earlier attempt to quiet the crowd (Numbers 13:30).
Why it lands — The text records a physical gesture of grief and protest against collective despair, establishing a clear boundary between faithful obedience and rebellious panic. It requires the reader to recognize that institutional mission and personal loyalty are tested when a community chooses fear over reported reality.
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The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes:
Cross-references
- Numbers 13:30 Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “We must go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly conquer it!”
- Numbers 14:30 Surely none of you will enter the land in which I swore to settle you, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.
- Genesis 37:29 When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes,
- Genesis 37:34 Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth around his waist, and mourned for his son many days.
- Numbers 13:6 from the tribe of Judah, Caleb son of Jephunneh;
- Numbers 13:8 from the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea son of Nun;
- Numbers 14:38 Of those men who had gone to spy out the land, only Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh remained alive.
- Genesis 44:13 Then they all tore their clothes, loaded their donkeys, and returned to the city.
- Numbers 14:24 But because My servant Caleb has a different spirit and has followed Me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he has entered, and his descendants will inherit it.
- Joshua 7:6 Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown before the ark of the LORD until evening, as did the elders of Israel; and they all sprinkled dust on their heads.