Joshua — Chapter 14
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1Now these are the portions that the Israelites inherited in the land of Canaan, as distributed by Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of the families of the tribes of Israel.
2Their inheritance was assigned by lot for the nine and a half tribes, as the LORD had commanded through Moses.
3For Moses had given the inheritance east of the Jordan to the other two and a half tribes. But he granted no inheritance among them to the Levites.
4The descendants of Joseph became two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. And no portion of the land was given to the Levites, except for cities in which to live, along with pasturelands for their flocks and herds.
5So the Israelites did as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they divided the land.
6Then the sons of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know what the LORD said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh-barnea about you and me.
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 to him an honest report.
8Although my brothers who went with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear, I remained loyal to the LORD my God.
9On that day Moses swore to me, saying, ‘Surely the land on which you have set foot will be an inheritance to you and your children forever, because you have wholly followed the LORD my God.’
10Now behold, as the LORD promised, He has kept me alive these forty-five years since He spoke this word to Moses, while Israel wandered in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old,
11still as strong today as I was the day Moses sent me out. As my strength was then, so it is now for war, for going out, and for coming in.
12Now therefore give me this hill country that the LORD promised me on that day, for you yourself heard then that the Anakim were there, with great and fortified cities. Perhaps with the LORD’s help I will drive them out, as the LORD has spoken.”
13Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance.
14Therefore Hebron belongs to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite as an inheritance to this day, because he wholly followed the LORD, the God of Israel.
15(Hebron used to be called Kiriath-arba, after Arba, the greatest man among the Anakim.) Then the land had rest from war.
1And these are the countries which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed for inheritance to them.
2By lot was their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half tribe.
3For Moses had given the inheritance of two tribes and an half tribe on the other side Jordan: but unto the Levites he gave none inheritance among them.
4For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: therefore they gave no part unto the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for their cattle and for their substance.
5As the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did, and they divided the land.
6Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadesh-barnea.
7Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart.
8Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God.
9And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children’s for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God.
10And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered 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, both to go out, and to come in.
12Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.
13And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.
14Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel.
15And the name of Hebron before was Kirjath-arba; which Arba was a great man among the Anakims. And the land had rest from war.
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 as 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.
1The following is a record of the territory assigned to the Israelites in the land of Canaan by Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the Israelite tribal leaders.
2The land assignments to the nine-and-a-half tribes were made by drawing lots, as the Lord had instructed Moses.
3Now Moses had assigned land to the two-and-a-half tribes east of the Jordan, but he assigned no land to the Levites.
4The descendants of Joseph were considered as two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. The Levites were allotted no territory, though they were assigned cities in which to live, along with the grazing areas for their cattle and possessions.
5The Israelites followed the Lord’s instructions to Moses and divided up the land.
6The men of Judah approached Joshua in Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know what the Lord said about you and me to Moses, the man of God, at Kadesh Barnea.
7I was forty years old when Moses, the Lord’s servant, sent me from Kadesh Barnea to spy on the land and I brought back to him an honest report.
8My countrymen who accompanied me frightened the people, but I remained loyal to the Lord my God.
9That day Moses made this solemn promise: ‘Surely the land on which you walked will belong to you and your descendants permanently, for you remained loyal to the Lord your God.’
10So now, look, the Lord has preserved my life, just as he promised, these past forty-five years since the Lord spoke these words to Moses, while Israel traveled through the wilderness. See here, I am today eighty-five years old!
11Today I am still as strong as when Moses sent me out. I can fight and go about my daily activities with the same energy I had then.
12Now, assign me this hill country that the Lord promised me at that time! No doubt you heard then that the Anakites live there in large, fortified cities. But assuming the Lord is with me, I will conquer them, as the Lord promised.”
13Joshua asked God to empower Caleb son of Jephunneh and assigned him Hebron.
14So Hebron remains the assigned land of Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this very day because he remained loyal to the Lord God of Israel.
15(Hebron used to be called Kiriath Arba. Arba was a famous Anakite.) Then the land was free of war.
1These are the inheritances which the children of Israel took in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers’ houses of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed to them,
2by the lot of their inheritance, as Yahweh 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 to the Levites he gave no inheritance among them.
4For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. They gave no portion to the Levites in the land, except cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for their livestock and for their property.
5The children of Israel did as Yahweh commanded Moses, and they divided the land.
6Then the children of Judah came near to Joshua in Gilgal. Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know the thing that Yahweh spoke to Moses the man of God concerning me and concerning you in Kadesh Barnea.
7I was forty years old when Moses the servant of Yahweh sent me from Kadesh Barnea to spy out the land. I brought him word again as it was in my heart.
8Nevertheless, my brothers who went up with me made the heart of the people melt; but I wholly followed Yahweh my God.
9Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land where you walked shall be an inheritance to you and to your children forever, because you have wholly followed Yahweh my God.’
10“Now, behold, Yahweh has kept me alive, as he spoke, these forty-five years, from the time that Yahweh spoke this word to Moses, while Israel walked in the wilderness. Now, behold, I am eighty-five years old, today.
11As yet I am as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me. As my strength was then, even so is my strength now for war, to go out and to come in.
12Now therefore give me this hill country, of which Yahweh spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and great and fortified cities. It may be that Yahweh will be with me, and I shall drive them out, as Yahweh said.”
13Joshua blessed him; and he gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for an inheritance.
14Therefore Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he followed Yahweh, the God of Israel wholeheartedly.
15Now the name of Hebron before was Kiriath Arba, after the greatest man among the Anakim. Then the land had rest from war.
Summary
As the tribes gather at Gilgal to receive their inheritance west of the Jordan by lot, Caleb, now eighty-five years old, comes forward to remind Joshua of the promise Moses made him at Kadesh-barnea forty-five years earlier (vv. 6-9). Caleb recalls that he and Joshua alone among the twelve spies brought back a faithful report, while the other ten caused the people's hearts to melt in fear (vv. 7-8). Though decades have passed, Caleb declares he is still as strong as the day Moses sent him and asks for the hill country of Hebron, home of the powerful Anakim (vv. 10-12). Joshua blesses him and gives him Hebron as his inheritance, because he wholly followed the LORD (vv. 13-15).
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
- Hebron (Kiriath-arba): In the southern hill country, about 19 miles south of Jerusalem — given to Caleb as his inheritance
- Hebron was formerly inhabited by the Anakim (giants); Caleb drives them out at age 85
- Gilgal: Where the allotment takes place; still serving as Israel's administrative base
Places on this map
- HebronHebron, West BankThe highest town in the Judean hills at about 3,000 feet, 19 miles south of Jerusalem. Abraham bought a burial cave here, and David reigned from it for seven years before moving north, so it carries both the patriarchal and the royal claim to the land. Wikipedia
- JerusalemJerusalemA hill town about 2,500 feet up in the central spine of Judah, roughly 35 miles inland from the Mediterranean and 15 miles west of the Jordan. It sits on no trade route and has no river, which is why it mattered as a fortress and a sanctuary rather than as a market. Wikipedia
- GilgalJordan valley, West BankIsrael's first camp west of the Jordan, between the river and Jericho, where the twelve stones were set up. The exact site has never been fixed. Wikipedia
Towns sit on their excavated or traditional site. Regions, rivers and seas are ringed rather than dotted, because for those a single point is only an anchor. Coastlines from Natural Earth.
Commentary
- Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik highlights Caleb's extraordinary faith: at 85, he asks for the hardest assignment. He doesn't want a comfortable retirement — he wants the mountain with the giants. Guzik notes that Caleb's strength was preserved by God specifically for this purpose. His faith at 85 matches his faith at 40 because it was always rooted in God, not in himself.
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (1871): blueletterbible.org A critical and explanatory commentary on the whole Bible, more concise than Matthew Henry and closer to the Hebrew and Greek, with attention to historical and geographical detail. Public domain.
- Matthew Henry's Exposition (1710): blueletterbible.org A devotional verse-by-verse commentary in the Puritan tradition, still among the most widely read three centuries on. Public domain.
Videos
Articles
- GotQuestions.org: gotquestions.org On the whole book: an overview of the book of Joshua -- who wrote it, when, why, and how it fits the rest of Scripture.
Links open on the publisher's own site. Nothing here is reproduced on this page.
Reflection
- Wholly Following the Lord (vv.8-9) — Caleb testifies that unlike the other spies, he followed the LORD completely, not partially. Would people who know you describe your walk with God as whole-hearted, or divided between faith and hesitation?
- A Promise That Doesn't Expire (v.10) — Forty-five years pass between God's promise to Caleb and its fulfillment, yet God kept him alive to see it through. What promise are you still waiting on, and does the delay shake your confidence that God will keep it?
- Strength Given for the Task (v.11) — At eighty-five, Caleb is as strong for battle as he was in his youth, sustained by God for the specific work ahead. Do you trust God to equip you for what He's calling you to, even later in life?
- Asking for the Mountain (v.12) — Instead of requesting an easy portion, Caleb asks for the fortified hill country still held by the Anakim. Are you asking God for comfort, or for the hard assignment He's uniquely prepared you to take on?
- Rest That Follows Obedience (v.15) — After Caleb claims his inheritance by faith, the land finally has rest from war. What unresolved battle in your life might only find rest once you finally step out in obedience?