Joshua 14

Division of the Land West of the Jordan

1 Now these are the areas the Israelites received as an inheritance in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun and the heads of the tribal clans of Israel allotted to them.
2 Their inheritances were assigned by lot to the nine-and-a-half tribes, as the LORD had commanded through Moses.
3 Moses had granted the two-and-a-half tribes their inheritance east of the Jordan but had not granted the Levites an inheritance among the rest,
4 for Joseph’s descendants had become two tribes—Manasseh and Ephraim. The Levites received no share of the land but only towns to live in, with pasturelands for their flocks and herds.
5 So the Israelites divided the land, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Allotment for Caleb

6 Now the people 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.
7 I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions,
8 but my fellow Israelites who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt in fear. I, however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.
9 So on that day Moses swore to me, ‘The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.’[a]
10 “Now then, just as the LORD promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old!
11 I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then.
12 Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.”
13 Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance.
14 So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the LORD, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly.
15 (Hebron used to be called Kiriath Arba after Arba, who was the greatest man among the Anakites.) Then 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.

Cross References 40

  • 1. S Joshua 11:23; Psalms 16:6; Psalms 136:21
  • 2. S Exodus 6:23
  • 3. Joshua 21:1
  • 4. S Numbers 26:53
  • 5. Numbers 34:17-18; Joshua 19:51
  • 6. S Leviticus 16:8; Numbers 26:55
  • 7. Numbers 34:13
  • 8. S Numbers 32:33; S Numbers 34:14
  • 9. S Numbers 35:2; S Joshua 13:14
  • 10. S Genesis 41:52; S Judges 1:29; 48:5
  • 11. S Numbers 35:2-3; Joshua 21:2
  • 12. S Numbers 34:13; Numbers 35:2; Joshua 21:2
  • 13. S Deuteronomy 11:30
  • 14. Numbers 13:6; Numbers 14:30
  • 15. S Deuteronomy 33:1
  • 16. Numbers 13:26
  • 17. S Numbers 14:38
  • 18. Joshua 15:3
  • 19. S Numbers 13:17
  • 20. Numbers 13:30; S Numbers 14:6-9
  • 21. S Numbers 13:31
  • 22. S Numbers 14:24; S Numbers 32:12
  • 23. S Deuteronomy 11:24
  • 24. S Numbers 14:24; Deuteronomy 1:36
  • 25. S Numbers 11:28; Numbers 14:30
  • 26. S Joshua 5:6
  • 27. S Joshua 13:1
  • 28. S Deuteronomy 34:7
  • 29. S Genesis 15:15
  • 30. S Numbers 14:24
  • 31. S Numbers 13:33
  • 32. Numbers 13:28
  • 33. Joshua 22:6,7
  • 34. 1 Samuel 25:3; 1 Samuel 30:14
  • 35. S Genesis 23:19; S Joshua 10:36
  • 36. Judges 1:20; 1 Chronicles 6:56
  • 37. S Numbers 14:24
  • 38. S Genesis 23:2
  • 39. Joshua 15:13
  • 40. Joshua 11:23; Judges 3:11; 1 Kings 4:24; 1 Kings 5:4; 1 Chronicles 22:9

Footnotes 1

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.

Joshua 14 Commentaries

Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.