Deuteronomy 1:36 meaning, Cross Ref, ai commentary KJV NIV ESV NLT

Deuteronomy 1:36 kjv

Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh; he shall see it, and to him will I give the land that he hath trodden upon, and to his children, because he hath wholly followed the LORD.

Deuteronomy 1:36 nkjv

except Caleb the son of Jephunneh; he shall see it, and to him and his children I am giving the land on which he walked, because he wholly followed the LORD.'

Deuteronomy 1:36 niv

except Caleb son of Jephunneh. He will see it, and I will give him and his descendants the land he set his feet on, because he followed the LORD wholeheartedly."

Deuteronomy 1:36 esv

except Caleb the son of Jephunneh. He shall see it, and to him and to his children I will give the land on which he has trodden, because he has wholly followed the LORD!'

Deuteronomy 1:36 nlt

except Caleb son of Jephunneh. He will see this land because he has followed the LORD completely. I will give to him and his descendants some of the very land he explored during his scouting mission.'

Deuteronomy 1 36 Cross References

Verse | Text | Reference---|---|---Num 14:24 | "But my servant Caleb, because he had a different spirit in him and has followed me fully..." | Caleb's distinct faith & obedienceJosh 14:8 | "My brothers who went up with me made the heart of the people melt... but I wholly followed the LORD my God." | Caleb reaffirms his unwavering devotionNum 32:11-12 | "Surely none of the men... who came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land... except Caleb... and Joshua... for they have wholly followed the LORD." | Explicit exception for Caleb & Joshua due to their faithfulnessNum 13:30 | "Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, 'Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.'" | Caleb's courage and belief in God's powerJosh 14:9 | "And Moses swore on that day, 'Surely the land on which your foot has trodden shall be an inheritance for you and for your children forever..." | Fulfillment of the specific promise made to CalebHeb 3:19 | "So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief." | Contrast: Israel's failure due to unbelief vs. Caleb's entrance due to faithHeb 4:6 | "Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience..." | Disobedience prevents entry, highlighting Caleb's obedienceMatt 6:33 | "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." | Principle: Devotion to God leads to provision and blessingPsa 37:29 | "The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever." | God's promise of land to the righteousPsa 37:23-24 | "The steps of a man are established by the LORD... though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down..." | God upholds those whose paths He guides1 Sam 12:14 | "If you will fear the LORD and serve him... and will not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then both you and your king will continue following the LORD your God." | General principle of blessing for obedienceDeut 4:4 | "But you who held fast to the LORD your God are all alive today." | Remaining steadfast ensures life and blessingDeut 5:33 | "You shall walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you..." | Obedience as the path to life and well-being1 Pet 5:7 | "casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." | Trust in God's care, underlying Caleb's boldnessJames 1:6 | "But let him ask in faith, with no doubting..." | Contrast with Israel's doubt, emphasizing faithGal 3:18 | "For if the inheritance comes by law, it is no longer by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise." | Inheritance often rooted in promise and faith, not just worksRom 4:13 | "For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith." | Inheritance through faith, connecting to Caleb's exampleRom 10:17 | "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." | The source of Caleb's unwavering faith was God's word2 Tim 4:7 | "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." | Example of steadfast endurance and faithfulnessJosh 21:12 | "But to Caleb... they gave Kiriath-arba, that is Hebron, as Moses had commanded." | Record of the fulfillment of the specific promise1 Kgs 11:4 | "For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father." | Negative example: "not wholly true" contrasted with Caleb's "wholly followed"Jer 24:7 | "I will give them a heart to know that I am the LORD, and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart." | Future restoration involves wholehearted devotionDeut 10:12 | "And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul..." | God's expectation of wholehearted servicePhil 2:13 | "for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." | God enables the heart to "wholly follow" Him

Deuteronomy 1 verses

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Deuteronomy 1 36 Meaning

Deuteronomy 1:36 declares God's unique favor and promise of land inheritance to Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, acknowledging his singular faithfulness. Despite the pervasive rebellion and unbelief of his generation, Caleb's commitment to wholly follow the LORD set him apart, ensuring that he alone among that adult generation (save Joshua) would enter and possess the Promised Land where he had set foot as a spy. This verse highlights God's justice in consequence and His faithfulness to those who obey Him completely.

Deuteronomy 1 36 Context

Deuteronomy 1 is Moses' opening address to Israel on the plains of Moab, recalling their forty-year wilderness journey as they stand poised to enter the Promised Land. He reviews the history of their rebellion at Kadesh-barnea, specifically the incident of the spies. In this historical recounting, Moses emphasizes the people's lack of faith and disobedience in refusing to enter the land, which led to God's decree that the entire adult generation, except for Caleb and Joshua, would perish in the wilderness. Verse 36 directly highlights Caleb's exceptional faithfulness amidst widespread unbelief, setting him apart as the one promised direct entry and inheritance, along with Joshua, as a testament to his wholehearted obedience to the LORD. It contrasts God's faithfulness to His promise for Caleb with His judgment upon the unfaithful generation.

Deuteronomy 1 36 Word analysis

save Caleb the son of Jephunneh: "Save" (Hebrew: balti) means "except" or "other than," highlighting Caleb's unique status as the exception. Caleb's name (Hebrew: Kalev) means "dog" or "wholehearted, all-heart." While sometimes debated, the latter meaning "all-heart" beautifully aligns with his character and the divine description. Jephunneh (Hebrew: Yephunneh) signifies his lineage, distinguishing him. Caleb's identity as a Kenizzite, descended from Esau, indicates he was possibly a proselyte, further underscoring that faith, not mere Israelite descent, was the key to his blessing.
he shall see it: This phrase points to the direct fulfillment of God's promise. "It" refers to the land that Israel feared. Caleb would not just "see" from afar (like Moses), but experience and possess it.
and to him I will give and to his children the land on which he trod: This specifies the nature of the reward: a direct, personal, and generational inheritance. The Hebrew phrase for "on which he trod" (עָלָיו דָּרַךְ, 'alav darakh) implies physical possession and claim through his diligent exploration and faithful step-by-step survey of the land during the spy mission. This particularly references Hebron and its surrounding territories, the place he specifically identified. God honors the path of obedience.
because he wholly followed the LORD: This is the pivotal phrase explaining Caleb's extraordinary favor. "Wholly followed" (Hebrew: malē' aḥărē, "filled after" or "fulfilled after," related to malē' meaning "full" or "complete") signifies absolute and unwavering dedication. It means his devotion was complete, not divided or hesitant. He fully embraced God's word and command, showing perfect loyalty, without any wavering or partial obedience. This stands in stark contrast to the rest of the Israelites, whose hearts melted in fear and disbelief, illustrating their partial or lacking devotion. It signifies unreserved allegiance, walking in step with God's will and purpose.

Deuteronomy 1 36 Bonus section

The uniqueness of Caleb's devotion highlights the idea of a faithful remnant even in times of widespread apostasy or unbelief. His reward wasn't just physical land; it represented a spiritual inheritance – intimacy with God and participation in His kingdom purposes. This principle extends into the New Testament where salvation and eternal inheritance are granted through faith and following Christ fully (Col 2:6, Heb 11:6). The "wholly followed" phrase describes not just an action, but a heart posture – a complete surrender and allegiance to God that contrasts with legalistic adherence or partial obedience. This points to the theological concept of genuine faith being inseparable from genuine obedience.

Deuteronomy 1 36 Commentary

Deuteronomy 1:36 crystallizes a core biblical principle: God rewards unwavering faith and wholehearted obedience. Caleb is not merely a surviving member of a condemned generation; he is a beacon of covenant loyalty. His distinctiveness lay in his "wholly following the LORD," a comprehensive devotion that impacted his thinking, speaking, and actions. Unlike the ten other spies who saw obstacles and instilled fear, Caleb saw God's power and potential, expressing full confidence in the LORD's ability to fulfill His promise. This radical commitment stemmed from an unshakeable belief in God's character and word. His reward – entry into the Promised Land and a specific inheritance – demonstrates that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him and wholeheartedly trust Him. It's a powerful lesson that amidst prevailing doubt and fear, singular faithfulness will be honored and will bear fruit, providing a pattern for believers to trust fully in God's power and promise even when circumstances seem overwhelming.