Joshua 14

1 This is the inheritance of the sons of Israel 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 sons of Israel, distributed unto them.

2 Their inheritance was by lot, as the LORD had commanded by the hand of Moses, to be given to the nine tribes and to the half tribe.

3 For Moses had given the inheritance of two tribes and half a tribe on the other side of the Jordan, but unto the Levites he gave no inheritance among them.

4 For the sons of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim, and they gave no part unto the Levites in the land except cities to dwell in with their suburbs for their livestock and for their substance.

5 As the LORD had commanded Moses, so the sons of Israel did regarding the dividing of the land.

6 Then the sons 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 Kadeshbarnea.

7 I was forty years old when Moses, the slave of the LORD, sent me from Kadeshbarnea to spy out the land, and I brought him word again as it was in my heart,

8 but my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt; but I entirely followed the LORD my God.

9 And Moses swore on that day, saying, Surely the land on which thy feet have trodden shall be thy inheritance and thy sons’ for ever because thou hast entirely followed the LORD my God.

10 And now, behold, the LORD has caused me to live, as he said, these forty-five years from the time that the LORD spoke these words unto Moses, while Israel has walked in the wilderness; and now, behold, I am this day eighty-five years old.

11 As 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 and to go out and to come in.

12 Now, therefore, give me this mountain, of which the LORD spoke in that day; for thou didst hear in that day how the Anakims were there and that the cities were great and strong; peradventure, the LORD will be with me, and I shall drive them out, as the LORD said.

13 Then Joshua blessed him and gave unto Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, Hebron as inheritance.

14 Hebron, therefore, became the inheritance of Caleb, the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, unto this day because he entirely followed the LORD God of Israel.

15 And the name of Hebron before was Kirjatharba; Arba had been a great man among the Anakims. And 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.

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.