Joshua 14

1 These are the inheritances which the children of Yisra'el took in the land of Kana`an, which El`azar the Kohen, and Yehoshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers' [houses] of the tribes of the children of Yisra'el, distributed to them,

2 by the lot of their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by Moshe, for the nine tribes, and for the half-tribe.

3 For Moshe had given the inheritance of the two tribes and the half-tribe beyond the Yarden: but to the Levites he gave no inheritance among them.

4 For the children of Yosef were two tribes, Menashsheh and Efrayim: and they gave no portion to the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell in, with the suburbs of it for their cattle and for their substance.

5 As the LORD commanded Moshe, so the children of Yisra'el did; and they divided the land.

6 Then the children of Yehudah drew near to Yehoshua in Gilgal: and Kalev the son of Yefunneh the Kenizzi said to him, You know the thing that the LORD spoke to Moshe the man of God concerning me and concerning you in Kadesh-Barnea.

7 Forty years old was I when Moshe the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-Barnea to spy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in my heart.

8 Nevertheless my brothers who went up with me made the heart of the people melt; but I wholly followed the LORD my God.

9 Moshe swore on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon your foot has trodden shall be an inheritance to you and to your children forever, because you have wholly followed the LORD my God.

10 Now, behold, the LORD has kept me alive, as he spoke, these forty-five years, from the time that the LORD spoke this word to Moshe, while Yisra'el walked in the wilderness: and now, behold, I am this day eighty-five years old.

11 As yet I am as strong this day as I as in the day that Moshe 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 hill-country, whereof the LORD spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the `Anakim were there, and cities great and fortified: it may be that the LORD will be with me, and I shall drive them out, as the LORD spoke.

13 Yehoshua blessed him; and he gave Hevron to Kalev the son of Yefunneh for an inheritance.

14 Therefore Hevron became the inheritance of Kalev the son of Yefunneh the Kenizzi to this day; because that he wholly followed the LORD, the God of Yisra'el.

15 Now the name of Hevron before was Kiryat-Arba; [which Arba was] the greatest man among the `Anakim. 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.