יהושע, פרק י״ד, פסוק י״א

Despite the passing of decades, Caleb steps forward to request the city of Hebron as his inheritance, making a firm declaration of his enduring physical and mental health. His statement serves as a preemptive measure, driven by the concern that Joshua might reject his request on the assumption that he is simply too old and lacks the strength to conquer the city [מצודת דוד].

To counter any doubts, Caleb asserts that he remains completely strong, referring to both his fearless heart and his physical power [מלבי״ם]. He draws a direct comparison between his younger years and his current age, insisting on an absolute equality between the two periods [רד״ק]. He frames this comparison in an intriguing way, likening his past abilities to his present state rather than the other way around. This reflects the reality that his true bravery and power were not fully visible or proven in the past. They have only been clearly demonstrated now, following his active combat in the army. Thus, he points to his current, proven strength as the standard, estimating that he was just as capable in the past as he is known to be today [מלבי״ם].

Caleb concludes by defining the exact nature of his capabilities. He emphasizes that he remains fully fit in two distinct areas: he possesses the physical strength to fight in battle himself, and he retains the ability to lead the people, actively guiding them in military tactics and strategy [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].