9 Then Moses sware, &c.) This was one reward of his message well and faithfully discharged, to obtain an inheritance, whereof all the people is deprived. For, although long life be worthily accounted among the benefits of God: yet the end is here annexed, that Caleb might obtain that inheritance, which was denied to the rest: which was no small prerogative. Consequently, he setteth forth the trueth of Gods promise, because he had prolonged his life: and not that only, but also had given him such vigour and strength, that being more than fourscore years old, he was no weaker, than he was in the flour of his age. For other men have had a lusty age, (and yet but a few:) neither have any kept their own so well, that at four score and five years of age, they have had as much strength as they had in their best age. For he doth not only challenge to himself the knowledge & valiantness of a Captain, but also the strength of a soldier. He addeth also, that his strength will serve for all actions and exercises of this life. For, to go in & out, doeth signify as much with the Hebrews, as to perform and execute all parts of our office. And Caleb doeth perform this indeed, when he taketh upon him to assault and drive away the Giants. Neither is he lifted up with foolish pride, to assure himself of victory: but he hopeth for prosperous success by the help of God. This word (Peradventure) seemeth to infer an unreasonable kind of doubtfulness: as if he would go to fight at all adventures. They which ⟨p. 71⟩think, that for modesty sake he mistrusteth himself, and considereth his own infirmity, do neither say all, nor nothing at all. For surely, they omit that, which is principal, that this word (Peradventure) is to be referred to the common opinion of men, such as might be conceived by the present state of the matter. But first it is convenient to consider his purpose. If he had desired such a hill to be given him, as without any trouble might have ben possessed: his request had been harder to obtain. But now, setting forth the difficulty of the matter, before Joshua, and the Princes, he winneth their favour: for when they have yielded to his request, yet they grant nothing, except he take in hand, & achieve an hard, doubtful, and dangerous war.
9 Then Moses sware, &c.) This was one rewarde of his message well and faithfully discharged, to obteine an inheritance, whereof all the people is depriued. For, although long life be worthily accompted among the benefites of God: yet the end is here annexed, that Caleb might obteine that inheritance, which was denied to the rest: which was no small prerogatiue. Consequently, he setteth forth the trueth of Gods promise, because he had prolonged his life: and not that onely, but also had geuen him such vigor and strength, that being more than fourescore yeares olde, he was no weaker, than he was in the floure of his age. For other men haue had a lustie age, (and yet but a fewe:) neither haue any kept their owne so well, that at foure score and fiue yeares of age, they haue had as much strength as they had in their best age. For he doth not only challenge to himselfe the knowlege & valiantnesse of a Capteine, but also the strength of a souldier. He addeth also, that his strength will serue for all actions and exercises of this life. For, to goe in & out, doeth signifie as much with the Hebrewes, as to performe and execute all partes of our office. And Caleb doeth performe this indeede, when hee taketh vppon him to assault and driue away the Giantes. Neither is he lifted vp with foolishe pride, to assure himselfe of victorie: but he hopeth for prosperous successe by the helpe of God. This worde (Peraduenture) seemeth to inferre an vnreasonable kind of doubtfulnesse: as if he would goe to fight at all aduentures. They which ⟨p. 71⟩thinke, that for modestie sake he mistrusteth himselfe, and considereth his owne infirmitie, doe neither say all, nor nothing at all. For surely, they omitte that, which is principall, that this worde (Peraduenture) is to be referred to the common opinion of men, such as might be conceiued by the present state of the matter. But first it is conuenient to consider his purpose. If he had desired such a hill to be geuen him, as without any trouble might haue ben possessed: his request had bene harder to obteine. But now, setting foorth the difficultie of the matter, before Iosue, and the Princes, he winneth their fauoure: for when they haue yelded to his request, yet they graunt nothing, except he take in hand, & atchiue an hard, doubtfull, and daungerous warre.
