Joshua14
New King James Version
1These are the areas which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel distributed as an inheritance to them.
2Their inheritance was by lot, as the Lord had commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes and the half-tribe.
3For Moses had given the inheritance of the two tribes and the half-tribe on the other side of the Jordan; but to the Levites he had given no inheritance among them.
4For the children of Joseph were two tribes: Manasseh and Ephraim. And they gave no part to the Levites in the land, except cities to dwell in, with their common-lands for their livestock and their property.
5As the Lord had commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did; and they divided the land.
6Then the children of Judah came to Joshua in Gilgal. And Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him: “You know the word which the Lord said to Moses the man of God concerning you and me in Kadesh Barnea.
7I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to spy out the land, and I brought back word to him as it was in my heart.
8Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt, but I wholly followed the Lord my God.
9So Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land where your foot has trodden shall be your inheritance and your children’s forever, because you have wholly followed the Lord my God.’
10And now, behold, the Lord has kept me alive, as He said, these forty-five years, ever since the Lord spoke this word to Moses while Israel wandered in the wilderness; and now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old.
11As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in.
12Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the Lord said.”
13And Joshua blessed him, and gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh as an inheritance.
14Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel.
15And the name of Hebron formerly was Kirjath Arba (Arba was the greatest man among the Anakim). Then 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