Joshua 14 10

Joshua 14:10 kjv

And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old.

Joshua 14:10 nkjv

And now, behold, the LORD has kept me alive, as He said, these forty-five years, ever since the LORD spoke this word to Moses while Israel wandered in the wilderness; and now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old.

Joshua 14:10 niv

"Now then, just as the LORD promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old!

Joshua 14:10 esv

And now, behold, the LORD has kept me alive, just as he said, these forty-five years since the time that the LORD spoke this word to Moses, while Israel walked in the wilderness. And now, behold, I am this day eighty-five years old.

Joshua 14:10 nlt

"Now, as you can see, the LORD has kept me alive and well as he promised for all these forty-five years since Moses made this promise ? even while Israel wandered in the wilderness. Today I am eighty-five years old.

Joshua 14 verses

Joshua 14 10 Meaning

Joshua 14:10 encapsulates Caleb’s profound declaration of God’s faithfulness and his own living testimony. At 85 years old, Caleb attributes his continued existence and vitality to the Lord, affirming that God’s promise to preserve him, made 45 years prior through Moses during the wilderness wandering, has been meticulously fulfilled. This verse highlights the enduring nature of divine promises and serves as a powerful affirmation of God's direct, sustained care for those who faithfully follow Him, contrasting Caleb's experience with the consequences of unbelief for the rest of his generation.

Joshua 14 10 Context

Joshua 14 is positioned during the crucial period of land distribution after the major conquest campaigns in Canaan. It specifically introduces the formal allocation of territory to the tribes of Judah and Joseph. This verse is part of Caleb’s heartfelt appeal to Joshua, recalling the promise made to him by God, confirmed by Moses, approximately 45 years earlier. This promise stemmed from Caleb’s unwavering faith as one of the two faithful spies (along with Joshua) who fully trusted God’s ability to give Israel the Promised Land, contrasting with the unbelief and fear that led to 38 years of wilderness wandering. Caleb's statement about his advanced age and undiminished strength underscores his exceptional endurance and serves as a direct testimony to God's enduring faithfulness in fulfilling His word to a loyal servant, setting the stage for his claim to Hebron.

Joshua 14 10 Word analysis

• And now (וְעַתָּה - wəʿattah): A transitional phrase indicating a move from past events to the present reality, highlighting a climactic moment of declaration or decision. It brings a sense of immediacy and significance to Caleb's statement.
• behold (הִנֵּה - hinneh): An emphatic interjection that draws attention, expressing a sense of awe, wonder, or urgency. It emphasizes the remarkable nature of what Caleb is about to declare regarding God's work in his life.
• the Lord (יְהוָה - YHWH): The covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal, consistent, and relational faithfulness to His promises. It speaks to His sovereign authority and power.
• has kept me alive (הֶחֱיָה - hecheyah from חָיָה chayah): The Hiphil verb form emphasizes divine causation—God Himself actively preserved and sustained Caleb's life and vigor, defying the natural challenges of wilderness life and advanced age. It denotes a miraculous preservation.
• as He said (כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֵּר - ka'asher dibbēr): Verifies the promise and God's absolute reliability. It reinforces the idea that Caleb’s experience is a direct fulfillment of a specific divine utterance.
• these forty-five years (אַרְבָּעִים וְחָמֵשׁ שָׁנָה - arbaʿim vechamēsh shana): A precise period, accounting for approximately 38 years of wilderness wandering (from Kadesh-Barnea) plus roughly seven years of conquest and land division campaigns in Canaan. This specific duration underscores the longevity of God's promise and Caleb's patience.
• ever since the Lord spoke this word to Moses (מֵאָז דִּבֶּר יְהוָה אֶת הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה אֶל מֹשֶׁה - mēʾaz dibbēr YHWH et haddāḇār hazzéh ʾel Mōsheh): Points directly to the divine origin and authoritative communication of the promise through the primary covenant mediator, Moses. This roots the claim in indisputable divine decree.
• while Israel walked in the wilderness (אֲשֶׁר הָלַךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל בַּמִּדְבָּר - ʾasher hālak Yisrāʾel bammidbār): Places the promise and Caleb's preservation within the context of a challenging and perilous journey, a period marked by both divine sustenance and widespread judgment on an unbelieving generation. Caleb alone, with Joshua, truly "walked" in faith.
• and now, behold (וְעַתָּה הִנֵּה - wəʿattah hinneh): A re-emphasis of the immediate present and Caleb's enduring state. It reinforces the marvel of his preservation.
• I am this day eighty-five years old (אָנֹכִי הַיּוֹם בֶּן שְׁמֹנִים וְחָמֵשׁ שָׁנָה - ʾānōḵī hayyōm ben shmōnīm vechamēsh shana): Declares his remarkable age, signifying a long life extended by divine grace and power. His advanced years do not diminish his vigor but testify to the power of God sustaining him beyond natural limits.

• "And now, behold, the Lord has kept me alive": A declarative statement of personal testimony, expressing profound gratitude and attributing his sustained life to a miraculous, direct act of God's preservation. It signifies the commencement of his appeal based on divine faithfulness.
• "as He said, these forty-five years": Establishes a direct link between God's promise and its literal, sustained fulfillment over a lengthy period. The precision of "forty-five years" highlights God's accurate timing and unwavering commitment. This duration represents Caleb's endurance through trials alongside the rebellious generation.
• "ever since the Lord spoke this word to Moses, while Israel walked in the wilderness": Locates the origin of the promise firmly in the covenant history of Israel, stemming from a direct divine utterance during a period of national trial and spiritual apostasy. This emphasizes that Caleb’s blessing derived from his fidelity amidst general unbelief.
• "and now, behold, I am this day eighty-five years old": A powerful, contemporary affirmation of his current age and continued vitality, not merely survival. His age serves as concrete, living proof of God's unique favor and sustaining power, enabling him to remain active for battle and further divine service.

Joshua 14 10 Bonus section

• Theology of Promise and Fulfillment: This verse beautifully illustrates the biblical theme of God's hesed (loyal love/covenant faithfulness) and emet (truth/reliability) in fulfilling His word, even after decades of waiting. Caleb is a prime example of sustained promise leading to a tangible blessing.
• Contrast of Generations: Caleb’s testimony in Joshua 14:10 provides a stark contrast between his unwavering faith and the lack of faith demonstrated by the vast majority of the Exodus generation. While they perished in the wilderness, Caleb was divinely preserved to inherit his promise, serving as an encouragement for present and future generations to trust God fully.
• Active Seniority: Caleb’s story challenges cultural norms regarding aging. Rather than retiring, he remains strong and active, seeking to conquer the most challenging part of the land (Hebron from the Anakim). This speaks to a calling that continues throughout one's life, as God empowers His servants beyond natural limits.
• Connection to Joshua: This personal testimony by Caleb not only solidifies his own claim but also implicitly honors Joshua, his faithful counterpart from the original spying mission, validating the promise and providing strong support during the land distribution process.

Joshua 14 10 Commentary

Joshua 14:10 is a pivotal verse, encapsulating Caleb’s faith, God’s enduring faithfulness, and the long arc of divine providence. Caleb, at 85, joyfully declares his miraculous preservation, not as a happenstance, but as a direct fulfillment of God’s explicit word spoken 45 years prior. This longevity and continued strength are a visible testament to the fact that God honors those who honor Him fully, contrasting sharply with the fate of the generation that perished in the wilderness due to unbelief. Caleb's life embodies the truth that while waiting for divine promises can be long and challenging, God's timing is perfect, and His word will never fail. His strength at an advanced age exemplifies divine empowerment, not physical prowess, preparing him for the continued task of possessing his promised inheritance.

• Example: Caleb's experience demonstrates that steadfast faith ensures God's sustaining grace, enabling believers to persist in their walk and fulfill their calling despite age or external circumstances.
• Example: It encourages enduring hope, knowing God remembers and fulfills every word He has spoken, even if the timeline extends beyond immediate expectations.