ContradictionsReading order 466Bible context 2 min read
Who argued in favor of occupying Canaan during the Exodus?
One passage records Caleb speaking alone, while another records both Joshua and Caleb advocating entry; neither says Caleb was the only supporter.
- Textual conflict
- Weak contradiction
- The supplied passages do not establish incompatible claims. Different events, meanings, or conditions may account for the difference.
- Importance
- Supporting
- A supporting event, teaching, or biographical claim.
Caleb's individual speech does not exclude Joshua joining him in a subsequent appeal to enter Canaan.
An editorial assessment of the quoted passages. Importance describes the stakes; it does not increase certainty. Reading order weighs both.
Caleb urges immediate occupation of Canaan
And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.
Numbers 13:30
Translation / edition: King James Version (KJV)
Read the full chapter:Numbers 13
Joshua and Caleb jointly urge trust and entry
And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes: And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not.