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Numbers 26:65 - Only faithful spies survive wilderness?

Numbers 26:65 - במדבר 26:65

Hebrew Text

כִּי־אָמַר יְהוָה לָהֶם מוֹת יָמֻתוּ בַּמִּדְבָּר וְלֹא־נוֹתַר מֵהֶם אִישׁ כִּי אִם־כָּלֵב בֶּן־יְפֻנֶּה וִיהוֹשֻׁעַ בִּן־נוּן׃

English Translation

For the Lord had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. And there was not left a man of them, except Kalev the son of Yefunne, and Yehoshua the son of Nun.

Transliteration

Ki-amar Adonai lahem mot yamutu bamidbar velo-notar mehem ish ki im-Kalev ben-Yefuneh vi-Yehoshua bin-Nun.

Hebrew Leining Text

כִּֽי־אָמַ֤ר יְהֹוָה֙ לָהֶ֔ם מ֥וֹת יָמֻ֖תוּ בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר וְלֹא־נוֹתַ֤ר מֵהֶם֙ אִ֔ישׁ כִּ֚י אִם־כָּלֵ֣ב בֶּן־יְפֻנֶּ֔ה וִיהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ בִּן־נֽוּן׃ <span class="mam-spi-samekh">{ס}</span>        
כִּֽי־אָמַ֤ר יְהֹוָה֙ לָהֶ֔ם מ֥וֹת יָמֻ֖תוּ בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר וְלֹא־נוֹתַ֤ר מֵהֶם֙ אִ֔ישׁ כִּ֚י אִם־כָּלֵ֣ב בֶּן־יְפֻנֶּ֔ה וִיהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ בִּן־נֽוּן׃ {ס}        

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Divine Decree in the Wilderness

The verse (Bamidbar 26:65) recounts Hashem's decree that the generation of the Exodus would perish in the wilderness, with the exception of Kalev ben Yefunne and Yehoshua bin Nun. This stems from the sin of the Meraglim (spies), as detailed in Bamidbar 13-14, where the people rejected Eretz Yisrael due to the spies' negative report.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (on Bamidbar 26:65) clarifies that this decree specifically applied to men between the ages of 20 and 60, as they were the ones obligated in military service and thus responsible for the sin of rejecting the Land. Women, children, and the elderly were exempt from this punishment, as they did not participate in the rebellion.

The Exceptional Righteousness of Kalev and Yehoshua

The Talmud (Sotah 34b) elaborates on why Kalev and Yehoshua were spared:

  • Kalev's merit: He went to pray at the graves of the Avos in Chevron to strengthen his resolve against joining the spies' plot (Rashi, Bamidbar 13:22).
  • Yehoshua's merit: Moshe Rabbeinu had prayed for him by adding a letter to his name (from Hoshea to Yehoshua), symbolizing "Hashem should save you" (Rashi, Bamidbar 13:16).

The Rambam's Perspective

In Hilchos Teshuvah (6:5), the Rambam cites this episode as proof that even when a divine decree is issued, righteous individuals can be exempt through their merits. Their exceptional devotion allowed them to transcend the collective punishment.

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash Tanchuma (Shelach 10) notes that Kalev and Yehoshua represented the tribes of Yehudah and Ephraim respectively, showing that true leadership requires standing firm for truth even when facing majority opposition.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 34b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the spies sent by Moses and the fate of those who spoke ill of the land of Israel, contrasting their punishment with the reward of Caleb and Joshua for their faithfulness.
📖 Sanhedrin 110a
The verse is cited in a discussion about the generation of the wilderness and their punishment, emphasizing the exceptional status of Caleb and Joshua who were spared due to their righteousness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Hashem decree that the generation of the Exodus would die in the wilderness?
A: According to Rashi (Numbers 14:29), this was the punishment for the sin of the spies (Meraglim), when the people believed their negative report about the Land of Israel and lacked faith in Hashem's promise to bring them there. Only Kalev and Yehoshua, who had complete faith, were spared.
Q: Why were Kalev and Yehoshua the only ones allowed to enter the Land of Israel?
A: The Talmud (Sotah 34b) explains that Kalev and Yehoshua were exceptional in their faith and courage. Kalev stood up against the other spies (as seen in Joshua 14:7-9), and Yehoshua was Moses' devoted student. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 16:1) adds that Yehoshua was also protected through Moses' prayers.
Q: What lesson can we learn from this verse about faith in Hashem?
A: The Rambam (Hilchot De'ot 1:4) teaches that this episode demonstrates the importance of trusting in Hashem's promises. The generation of the wilderness doubted despite witnessing miracles, while Kalev and Yehoshua showed unwavering faith. This teaches us to maintain trust in Hashem even when challenges arise.
Q: How does this verse connect to the counting of the Israelites in Numbers 26?
A: Rashi (Numbers 26:64) explains that this census was taken after the 40 years in the wilderness to show that the decree was fulfilled - only Kalev and Yehoshua remained from the original generation. The new generation was now being counted as they prepared to enter the Land of Israel.
Q: Why is Yehoshua called 'bin Nun' (son of Nun) here instead of by his usual name?
A: The Kli Yakar (Numbers 13:16) notes that the Torah emphasizes Yehoshua's lineage ('son of Nun') to highlight his humility - despite being Moses' successor, he remained identified through his father's name. This teaches the importance of humility even when achieving greatness.