Numbers 14:24 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

But my servant Caleb— And Joshua, who, though omitted here, is mentioned Numbers 14:30 and chap. Numbers 32:12. Calmet observes from Origen, that it is most probable that the priests and Levites were not in the number of the murmurers; for they were not of those who were numbered from twenty years old and upwards, Numbers 14:29 any more than the women and children: and it is probable, that some others also were excepted, though not recorded. Though, therefore, it is said in the 1James, 2 nd verses of this chapter, that they all murmured, the expression must be interpreted according to that rule of St. Jerome, Omnia, non ad totum referenda esse, sed ad partem maximam; that the term all, in the sacred Scripture, frequently refers not to the whole, but to the greatest part. The phrase in the original, followed me fully, אחרי ומלא umille acherai, signifies, literally, fulfilled after me, i.e. says Parkhurst, fully followed me. To complete the sense, ללכת lalechet, to walk or go, seems to be understood. Noldius observes, n. 90, that a like ellipsis occurs, 1 Samuel 18:27. למלךֶ ימלאום vimelaum lemelech, and they fulfilled them to the King, that is, to give them to the King. The contrary to what is said of Caleb, Dr. Beaumont remarks, is said of Solomon, 1 Kings 11:6. He fulfilled not after the Lord: so Numbers 32:11 it is said of God's people.