King James Version

What Does Joshua 14:10 Mean?

Joshua 14:10 in the King James Version says “And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this wor...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. wandered: Heb. walked”

Joshua 14:10 · KJV

Context

8

Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God.

9

And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God.

10

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. wandered: Heb. walked

11

As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.

12

Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.

Read Joshua 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Caleb's testimony celebrates God's faithfulness in preserving his life through 45 years of wilderness wandering and conquest. The phrase 'the LORD hath kept me alive' (hecheyah Yahweh oti, הֶחֱיָה יְהוָה אוֹתִי) uses a causative Hebrew verb—God actively maintained Caleb's life, not merely passively allowed it. The time reference 'these forty and five years' spans from the Kadesh-barnea incident (when Caleb was 40) to the present (age 85). During this period, an entire generation died in judgment while Caleb survived, demonstrating that God preserves those who trust Him. The phrase 'even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses' grounds Caleb's confidence in explicit divine promise (Numbers 14:24, 30). His survival through 'while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness' emphasizes the contrast—others wandered unto death, but Caleb was kept for inheritance. At 85 years old, Caleb doesn't request retirement but conquest, showing that faith's vigor transcends physical age. This testifies to both physical vitality (verse 11) and spiritual endurance. Caleb embodies Psalm 92:14—the righteous flourish in old age, still bearing fruit.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern life expectancy was much shorter than modern standards; reaching 85 required both divine blessing and exceptional health. Most Israelites died in their 40s-60s, making Caleb's age remarkable. His survival through 40 years of wilderness hardship—desert climate, limited resources, military conflicts with Amalekites and others—demonstrates supernatural preservation. The wilderness generation's death occurred gradually over four decades as God's judgment unfolded. Numbers 14:29 specified that those 20 years and older (at the time of rebellion) would die in the wilderness. Caleb was 40 during the spy mission, making him 41-42 when judgment was pronounced. By age 85, virtually all his contemporaries had died, leaving him and Joshua as the sole remaining exodus-generation adults. Caleb's testimony of divine preservation encouraged younger Israelites who had never known Egypt or experienced the Red Sea crossing. His living witness connected past promises to present fulfillment, demonstrating God's faithfulness across generations. The emphasis on precise time-keeping (45 years) reflects ancient Near Eastern practice of marking significant events by regnal years or major occurrences.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Caleb's 45-year wait for promise fulfillment challenge your impatience with God's timing?
  2. What does Caleb's vigor at 85 teach about the relationship between spiritual faithfulness and physical/mental vitality in aging?
  3. How can you cultivate enduring faith that outlasts your circumstances and remains strong despite delays?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 31 words
וְעַתָּ֗ה1 of 31
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

הִנֵּה֩2 of 31
H2009

lo!

הֶֽחֱיָ֨ה3 of 31

“hath kept me alive”

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

יְהוָ֜ה4 of 31

“And now behold the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אוֹתִי֮5 of 31
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר6 of 31
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

דִּבֶּ֨ר7 of 31

“as he said”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

זֶה֩8 of 31
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

אַרְבָּעִ֨ים9 of 31

“these forty”

H705

forty

חָמֵ֥שׁ10 of 31

“and five”

H2568

five

שָׁנָֽה׃11 of 31

“years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

מֵ֠אָז12 of 31

“even since”

H227

at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore

דִּבֶּ֨ר13 of 31

“as he said”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

יְהוָ֜ה14 of 31

“And now behold the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶת15 of 31
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַדָּבָ֤ר16 of 31

“this word”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הַזֶּה֙17 of 31
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

אֶל18 of 31
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֹשֶׁ֔ה19 of 31

“unto Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

אֲשֶׁר20 of 31
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הָלַ֥ךְ21 of 31

“wandered”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל22 of 31

“while the children of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר23 of 31

“in the wilderness”

H4057

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

וְעַתָּה֙24 of 31
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

הִנֵּ֣ה25 of 31
H2009

lo!

אָֽנֹכִ֣י26 of 31
H595

i

הַיּ֔וֹם27 of 31

“and now lo I am this day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

בֶּן28 of 31

“old”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

חָמֵ֥שׁ29 of 31

“and five”

H2568

five

וּשְׁמֹנִ֖ים30 of 31

“fourscore”

H8084

eighty, also eightieth

שָׁנָֽה׃31 of 31

“years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Joshua. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Joshua 14:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joshua 14:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 14:33-34Numbers 14:30Joshua 11:18

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