Joshua14
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1And these are the inheritances which the children of Israel took in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers’ houses of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed unto them,
2by the lot of their inheritance, as Jehovah commanded by Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half-tribe.
3For Moses had given the inheritance of the two tribes and the half-tribe beyond the Jordan: but unto the Levites he gave no inheritance among them.
4For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: and they gave no portion unto the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell in, with the suburbs thereof for their cattle and for their substance.
5As Jehovah commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did; and they divided the land.
6Then the children of Judah drew nigh unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that Jehovah spake unto Moses the man of God concerning me and concerning thee in Kadesh-barnea.
7Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of Jehovah sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in my heart.
8Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt; but I wholly followed Jehovah my God.
9And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy foot hath trodden shall be an inheritance to thee and to thy children for ever, because thou hast wholly followed Jehovah my God.
10And now, behold, Jehovah hath kept me alive, as he spake, these forty and five years, from the time that Jehovah spake this word unto Moses, while Israel walked in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old.
11As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, and to go out and to come in.
12Now therefore give me this hill-country, whereof Jehovah spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakim were there, and cities great and fortified: it may be that Jehovah will be with me, and I shall drive them out, as Jehovah spake.
13And Joshua blessed him; and he gave Hebron unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh for an inheritance.
14Therefore Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite unto this day; because that he wholly followed Jehovah, the God of Israel.
15Now the name of Hebron beforetime was Kiriath-arba; which Arba was the greatest man among the Anakim. And the land had rest from war.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Joshua 14.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The nine tribes and a half to have their inheritance. (1–5). Caleb obtains Hebron. (6–15).
vv1-5
The Israelites must occupy the new conquests. Canaan would have been subdued in vain, if it had not been inhabited. Yet every man might not go and settle where he pleased. God shall choose our inheritance for us. Let us survey our heritage of present mercy, our prospect for the land of promise, eternal in the heavens. Is God any respecter of persons? Is it not better that our place, as to earthly good or sorrow, should be determined by the infinite wisdom of our heavenly Father, than by our own ignorance? Should not those for whom the great mystery of godliness was exhibited, those whose redemption was purchased by Jesus Christ, thankfully refer their earthly concerns to his appointment?
vv6-15
Caleb's request is, “Give me this mountain,” or Hebron, because it was formerly in God's promise to him, and he would let Israel knows how much he valued the promise. Those who live by faith value that which is given by God's promise, far above what is given by his providence only. It was now in the Anakims' possession, and Caleb would let Israel know how little he feared the enemy, and that he would encourage them to push on their conquests. Caleb answered to his name, which signifies “all heart.” Hebron was settled on Caleb and his heirs, because he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel. Happy are we if we follow him. Singular piety shall be crowned with singular favour.
Key Words
אֵלֶּה: these or those
נָחַל: to inherit (as a (figurative) mode of descent), or (generally) to occupy; causatively, to bequeath, or (generally) distribute, instate
אֲשֶׁר: who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
יִשְׂרָאֵל: Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֶרֶץ: the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
כְּנַעַן: Kenaan, a son a Ham; also the country inhabited by him
אֶלְעָזָר: Elazar, the name of seven Israelites
כֹּהֵן: literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
יְהוֹשׁוּעַ: Jehoshua (i.e. Joshua), the Jewish leader
Cross References
Joshua 14Explicit oath of Moses promising Caleb the land he trod because he wholly followed God.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
God's appointment of Eleazar, Joshua, and tribal heads to distribute the inheritance.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Moses records the divine oath that Caleb and his children would inherit the walked-upon land.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Jacob adopts Ephraim and Manasseh as full tribes, replacing Levi to maintain twelve tribal territories.
Supported by JFB
Explains Joseph receiving the double portion (birthright) after Reuben's forfeiture.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The original spy report regarding the great, walled cities and Anakim that Caleb now confronts.
Supported by JFB
The divine command to divide the land by lot to the remaining tribes.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Verbal link designating Moses by his covenant title, 'the man of God'.
Supported by Matthew Poole, Calvin
Identifies Caleb as the representative sent from the tribe of Judah to spy out the land.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Caleb's original faith-filled assertion that Israel could overcome the inhabitants because God was with them.
Supported by JFB
The execution and detailing of Joshua's grant of Hebron (Kirjath-arba) to Caleb.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Details Joshua's prior campaigns cutting off the Anakim from Hebron and the mountains.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallels the concluding formula that 'the land rested from war' after the conquests.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Establishes Hebron's ancient name as Kirjath-arba, where Sarah died and Abraham bought burial ground.
Supported by Matthew Poole