Joshua Chapter 14
1 These are the inheritances which the children of Israel took in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers' houses of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed to them,
2 by the lot of their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half-tribe.
3 For Moses had given the inheritance of the two tribes and the half-tribe beyond the Jordan; but to the Levites he gave no inheritance amongst them.
4 For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. They gave no portion to the Levites in the land, except cities to dwell in, with their pasture lands for their livestock and for their property.
5 The children of Israel did as the LORD commanded Moses, and they divided the land.
6 Then the children of Judah came near to Joshua in Gilgal. Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, "You know the thing that the LORD spoke to Moses the man of God concerning me and concerning you in Kadesh Barnea.
7 I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to spy out the land. 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 Moses swore on that day, saying, 'Surely the land where you walked 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 Moses, while Israel walked in the wilderness. Now, behold, I am eighty-five years old, today.
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, to go out and to come in.
12 Now therefore give me this hill country, of which the LORD spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and great and fortified cities. It may be that the LORD will be with me, and I shall drive them out, as the LORD said."
13 Joshua blessed him; and he gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for an inheritance.
14 Therefore Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he followed the LORD, the God of Israel wholeheartedly.
15 Now the name of Hebron before was Kiriath Arba, after the greatest man amongst the Anakim. Then the land had rest from war.
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Joshua Chapter 14 Guide
The matter of supreme interest here is, of course, the story of Caleb, who, after forty-five years of waiting, claimed and obtained a definite possession in the land.
His claim was made while there was much still to be done and he urged his unabated vigor as constituting his fitness for the work.
The whole history of Caleb is full of interest and instruction. While perhaps it cannot be positively proven, it is yet most probable that he was a proselyte and a descendant of Esau. His victory at Kadesh-barnea was that of a man who followed the Lord fully. He had seen what all the other spies had seen, but in company with Joshua he had seen more-the fact of the majesty and power of God. He had obtained that victory long ago because he had the courage of his convictions.
The joy of that victory had been his portion for forty-five years of waiting. His ultimate reward had been long postponed but had never been uncertain. Now he came in unabated vigor to its realization. During these long years he would seem to have continued to keep a quiet and retired position, while his friend Joshua had been brought into the place of conspicuous leadership. Joshua's recognition of the claim of his friend and of his right to a choice of possession was quick and generous. He granted him the mountain he asked and blessed him.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
Joshua Chapter 14 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- 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.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.