Joshua 14

1 What follows is an account of how the land of Canaan west of the Jordan was divided among the people of Israel. Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the leaders of the families of the Israelite tribes divided it among the population.

2 As the Lord had commanded Moses, the territories of the nine and one-half tribes west of the Jordan were determined by drawing lots. ¹

3 Moses had already assigned the land east of the Jordan to the other two and one-half tribes. (The descendants of Joseph were divided into two tribes: Manasseh and Ephraim.) However, Moses gave the Levites no portion of the territory. Instead, they received cities to live in, with fields for their cattle and flocks. ²

5 The people of Israel divided the land as the Lord had commanded Moses.

6 One day some people from the tribe of Judah came to Joshua at Gilgal. One of them, Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, said to him, "You know what the Lord said in Kadesh Barnea about you and me to Moses, the man of God. ³

7 I was forty years old when the Lord's servant Moses sent me from Kadesh Barnea to spy out this land. I brought an honest report back to him. ⁴

8 The men who went with me, however, made our people afraid. But I faithfully obeyed the Lord my God.

9 Because I did, Moses promised me that my children and I would certainly receive as our possession the land which I walked over. ⁵

10 But now, look. It has been forty-five years since the Lord said that to Moses. That was when Israel was going through the desert, and the Lord, as he promised, has kept me alive ever since. Look at me! I am eighty-five years old

11 and am just as strong today as I was when Moses sent me out. I am still strong enough for war or for anything else.

12 Now then, give me the hill country that the Lord promised me on that day when my men and I reported. We told you then that the race of giants called the Anakim were there in large walled cities. Maybe the Lord will be with me, and I will drive them out, just as the Lord said."

13 Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him the city of Hebron as his possession.

14 Hebron still belongs to the descendants of Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, because he faithfully obeyed the Lord, the God of Israel.

15 Before this, Hebron was called the city of Arba. (Arba had been the greatest of the Anakim.) There was now peace in the land.

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

• 1. 14.2Numbers 26.52-56; 34.13.
• 2. 14.3, 4Numbers 32.33; 34.14, 15;Deuteronomy 3.12-17.
• 3. 14.6Numbers 14.30.
• 4. 14.7Numbers 13.1-30.
• 5. 14.9Numbers 14.24.

Footnotes

• [a]. drawing lots: [This was usually done by using specially marked stones to determine God's will.]

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.