Keraia
Numbers 32

Numbers 32:12

The Tribes East of the Jordan · Numbers 32:1–42
Read Numbers 32

Translations

Modern
…not one except Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua son of Nun—because they did follow the LORD wholeheartedly.’
Traditional
Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, and Joshua the son of Nun: for they have wholly followed the Lord.
Literal
…except Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua son of Nun; for they have wholly followed YHWH.’
Latin
…præter Caleb filium Jephone Cenezæum, et Josue filium Nun: isti impleverunt voluntatem meam.

Original

Hebrew
English
…not one except Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua son of Nun—because they did follow the LORD wholeheartedly.’

Notes

Numbers 32:12

Caleb is identified as a Kenizzite, a descendant of Esau (see Genesis 36:10–11). This suggests that Caleb was not born as an Israelite. He may have been a convert (someone who joined Israel’s faith). Even so, he became fully part of Israel’s life and worship.

Later, Caleb represented the tribe of Judah when Moses sent out the twelve spies to explore the promised land (Numbers 13:6).

Numbers 32:6–15

Moses assumed that Reuben and Gad wanted to stay east of the Jordan River to avoid the dangers that awaited the other tribes in Canaan (compare chapters 13–14).

Theme notes and profiles

Caleb Moses

Parallels

Deuteronomy 3:12–22 Joshua 13:8–14

People

Caleb: Faithful spy, given Hebron as inheritance Jephunneh: The Kenizzite, father of Caleb the spy Joshua: Moses' assistant who led Israel into Canaan Kenaz: Father of Othniel, a judge of Israel Nun: Father of Joshua

Glossary

Allotment of the Land Ammon, Ammonites Arabah Ataroth Caleb Conquest and Allotment of the Land Deuteronomy, Book of Dibon Elealeh Gilead (Place) Jazer Joshua, Book of Kenezite Kenizzites Manasseh, Tribe of Moab, Moabites Numbers, Book of Reuben (Place) Wrath of God

Topics

Caleb: One of the Two Survivors of the Israelites Permitted to Enter the Land of Promise Decision: Exhibited in Following God Fully Desert, Journey of Israel Through The: Punishment for Rebellion Desert, Journey of Israel Through The: Reubenites Obtained the Land Taken from the Amorites Disobedience to God: Denunciations Against Gilead: A Region East of the Jordan River Allotted to the Tribes of Reuben and Gad and the Half Tribe of Manasseh Haste in Judgment, by Moses and the Israelites Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: Rewarded for his Courage and Fidelity Misjudgment of the Reubenites and Gadites Motive: Misunderstood: The Tribes of Reuben and Gad, in Asking for Their Inheritance East of the Jordan River Obedience to God: Caleb the Tribe of Gad: Sought and Obtained Its Inheritance East of Jordan the Tribe of Reuben: Obtained Inheritance East of Jordan on Condition of Helping The Tribes of Israel: Reuben, Gad and Half Manasseh were Required to Assist in Subduing Canaan Uncharitableness: The Tribes West of the Jordan River Toward the Two and a Half Tribes