Joshua 14

Caleb's Request

1 Now these are the territories which the sons of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which 1Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the households of the tribes of the sons of Israel apportioned to them for an inheritance,
2 by the 2lot of their inheritance, as the LORD commanded through Moses, for the nine tribes and the half-tribe *.
3 For 3Moses had given the inheritance of the two tribes and the half-tribe * beyond * the Jordan; but 4he did not give an inheritance to the Levites among them.
4 For the sons of Joseph were two tribes, 5Manasseh and Ephraim, and they did not give a portion to the Levites in the land, except * cities to live in, with their pasture lands for their livestock and for their property.
5 Thus the sons of Israel did just 6as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they divided the land.
6 Then the sons of Judah drew near to Joshua in Gilgal, and 7Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, "You know the word which the LORD spoke to Moses the man of God concerning * you and me in Kadesh-barnea.
7 "I was forty years old when 8Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought word back to him as it was in my heart.
8 "Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt with fear; but 9I followed the LORD my God fully.
9 "So Moses swore on that day, saying, 'Surely * 10the land on which your foot has trodden will be an inheritance to you and to your children forever *, because you have followed the LORD my God fully.'
10 "Now behold, the LORD has let me live, just as He spoke, these forty-five * years, from the time that the LORD spoke this word to Moses, when Israel walked in the wilderness; and now behold, I am eighty-five years old today.
11 "11I am still as strong today as I was in the day Moses sent me; as my strength was then, so my strength is now, for war and for 12going out and coming in.
12 "Now then, give me this hill country about which the LORD spoke on that day, for you heard on that day that 13Anakim were there, with great fortified cities; perhaps the LORD will be with me, and I will drive them out as the LORD has spoken."
13 So Joshua 14blessed him and 15gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for an inheritance.
14 Therefore *, Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite until this day, because * he followed the LORD God of Israel fully.
15 Now the name of Hebron was formerly Kiriath-arba; for Arba was the greatest man among the Anakim. 16Then the land had rest from war.

Joshua 14 Commentary

Chapter 14

The nine tribes and a half to have their inheritance. (1-5) Caleb obtains Hebron. (6-15)

Verses 1-5 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?

Verses 6-15 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.

Cross References 16

  • 1. Numbers 34:16-29
  • 2. Numbers 26:55; Numbers 33:54; Numbers 34:13
  • 3. Numbers 32:33
  • 4. Joshua 13:14
  • 5. Genesis 41:51; Genesis 46:20; Genesis 48:1, 5; Numbers 26:28; 2 Chronicles 30:1
  • 6. Numbers 35:1; Joshua 21:2
  • 7. Numbers 13:6, 30; Numbers 14:6, 24, 30
  • 8. Numbers 13:1-31
  • 9. Numbers 14:24; Deuteronomy 1:36
  • 10. Deuteronomy 1:36
  • 11. Deuteronomy 34:7
  • 12. Deuteronomy 31:2
  • 13. Numbers 13:33
  • 14. Joshua 22:6
  • 15. Judges 1:20; 1 Chronicles 6:55
  • 16. Joshua 11:23

Footnotes 6

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO JOSHUA 14

This chapter proceeds to give an account of the countries divided to the children of Israel in the land of Canaan, Jos 14:1-5; but previous to that division relates the claim of Caleb to Hebron, through a promise made unto him by Moses forty five years ago, upon his report of the good land, whither he was sent a spy by him, Jos 14:6-12; and the grant which Joshua made of it to him, with his blessing, Jos 14:13-15.

Joshua 14 Commentaries

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