The Church Fathers on this verse

Joshua 14:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Then the children of Juda came to Joshua in Galgal, and Caleb the son of Jephone the Cenezite spoke to him: Thou knowest what the Lord spoke to Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Cadesbarne.

Douay-Rheims

וַיִּגְּשׁ֨וּ בְנֵֽי־יְהוּדָ֤ה אֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙ בַּגִּלְגָּ֔ל וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלָ֔יו כָּלֵ֥ב בֶּן־יְפֻנֶּ֖ה הַקְּנִזִּ֑י אַתָּ֣ה יָדַ֡עְתָּ אֶֽת־הַדָּבָר֩ אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּ֨ר יְהוָ֜ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֣ה אִישׁ־הָאֱלֹהִ֗ים עַ֧ל אֹדוֹתַ֛י וְעַ֥ל אֹדוֹתֶ֖יךָ בְּקָדֵ֥שׁ בַּרְנֵֽעַ׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

Ambrose of Milan

4th centuryChurch Father

The wrath of the Lord was manifested when He declared that those who had rejected His promise would not enter the land they held in contempt, a consequence of their disbelief (Num. 14:29). However, their children and wives, who did not voice complaints and were innocent due to their age and gender, were designated to inherit the promised land. Consequently, all individuals aged twenty and above perished in the wilderness, while the punishment for others was postponed. Those who collaborated with Jesus and incited the populace faced immediate punishment from the Lord (Num. 14:37). Jesus and Caleb (Num. 14:6) entered the promised land alongside the innocent based on their age and gender.

Read more (48 words)

Thus, the virtuous chose glory over mere salvation, whereas the less virtuous opted for salvation at the cost of honor. Ultimately, God's judgment affirmed the righteousness of those who prioritized honor over gain and condemned those who sought what they perceived as essential for salvation, yet disregarded honor.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.