Joshua 14 Study Notes

14:10 Caleb’s reference to forty-five years suggests that following the wilderness wanderings of about forty years, the time spent in the battles of chaps. 1-12 amounted to about five years.

14:11 The ongoing strength of Caleb despite his old age compares with that of Moses (Dt 34:7). He was still capable of fighting for his land and settling on it.

14:12 Caleb had confidence in the Lord and his promises despite the challenges facing him. Perhaps expresses his humility before the Lord.

14:13-14 When the spies searched the land, they traveled its length. However, the description of their activity focused on Hebron and the nearby Valley of Eshcol (Nm 13:22-24). These were located in the southern hill country of Judah. This would have been among the closest major inland towns in Canaan from their base at Kadesh-barnea. Thus the gift of land to Caleb involved the area of Hebron where he had visited and spent more time than anywhere else (Dt 1:36).

14:15 The note about Hebron’s name recalls the mighty Anakim (11:21) who were there, and it anticipates Caleb’s defeat of them in 15:14. Kiriath-arba is a second and earlier name for Hebron. The first part of the name means “city”; thus, the note suggests the meaning, “city of Arba,” where Arba is the name of the greatest man among the Anakim. This would predate Israel’s appearance because none of the Anakim that Caleb fought (15:14) bore this name. The note that the land had rest from war indicates success for Caleb.