ScriptureDepth's study of Joshua 14
“Now therefore give me this hill country, of which Yahweh spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and great and fortified cities. It may be that Yahweh will be with me, and I shall drive them out, as Yahweh said.”
Joshua 14:12
Caleb speaks to Joshua asking for the hill country where the Anakim were, showing his faith that Yahweh will help him drive them out.
What Joshua 14 is about
The children of Israel took their inheritances in Canaan. Eleazar the priest, Joshua, and tribal leaders distributed the land by lot, as Yahweh commanded (vv. 1-2). Moses had given land to two tribes and a half-tribe east of the Jordan River. The Levites received no inheritance among them, except for cities to live in (vv. 3-5).
Caleb the son of Jephunneh from Judah approached Joshua in Gilgal. He recalled the promise Yahweh made to him when he spied out the land at age forty (vv. 6-7). Caleb noted that the other spies discouraged the people, but he followed Yahweh fully. Moses promised that the land where Caleb walked would be his inheritance forever (vv. 8-9). Now at eighty-five, Caleb claimed his strength still matched that of his youth. He asked for the hill country where the Anakim lived and expressed faith in driving them out (vv. 10-12). Joshua blessed him and gave Hebron to Caleb, marking it as his inheritance (vv. 13-14). The name of Hebron had been Kiriath Arba before (v. 15).
Caleb received Hebron because he wholly followed Yahweh, as promised by Moses.
Joshua 14 at a glance
- Joshua 14:1–2Distribution of Land
- Joshua 14:3–5Inheritance of the Levites
- Joshua 14:6–9Caleb's Request
- Joshua 14:10–12Caleb's Strength at Old Age
- Joshua 14:13–15Blessing and Inheritance
Key verse: Joshua 14:12
One thing to notice
In verses 13-14, Joshua gives Caleb the city of Hebron as an inheritance. The text notes, 'Joshua blessed him; and he gave Hebron,' marking Caleb's faithfulness and strength at eighty-five years old. This act fulfills God's promise to Caleb.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Joshua 14 (WEB)
Distribution of Land Joshua 14:1–2
1Verse 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, 2Verse 2. by the lot of their inheritance, as Yahweh commanded by Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half-tribe.
Inheritance of the Levites Joshua 14:3–5
3Verse 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 among them. 4Verse 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 suburbs for their livestock and for their property. 5Verse 5. The children of Israel did as Yahweh commanded Moses, and they divided the land.
Caleb's Request Joshua 14:6–9
6Verse 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 Yahweh spoke to Moses the man of God concerning me and concerning you in Kadesh Barnea. 7Verse 7. I was forty years old when Moses the servant of Yahweh sent me from Kadesh Barnea to spy out the land. I brought him word again as it was in my heart. 8Verse 8. Nevertheless, my brothers who went up with me made the heart of the people melt; but I wholly followed Yahweh my God. 9Verse 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 Yahweh my God.’
Caleb's Strength at Old Age Joshua 14:10–12
10Verse 10. “Now, behold, Yahweh has kept me alive, as he spoke, these forty-five years, from the time that Yahweh spoke this word to Moses, while Israel walked in the wilderness. Now, behold, I am eighty-five years old, today. 11Verse 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. 12Verse 12. Now therefore give me this hill country, of which Yahweh spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and great and fortified cities. It may be that Yahweh will be with me, and I shall drive them out, as Yahweh said.”
Blessing and Inheritance Joshua 14:13–15
13Verse 13. Joshua blessed him; and he gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for an inheritance. 14Verse 14. Therefore Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he followed Yahweh, the God of Israel wholeheartedly. 15Verse 15. Now the name of Hebron before was Kiriath Arba, after the greatest man among the Anakim. Then the land had rest from war.
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Joshua 14
Faithfulness to God's promises
In Joshua 14, God’s faithfulness to His promises surfaces when Caleb recalls the promise made to him by Moses in v. 9. Moses swore that the land Caleb walked would be his and his children's inheritance. This promise is fulfilled as Joshua grants Caleb the land of Hebron in vv. 13-14, reinforcing the certainty of God's word throughout Israel's journey.
Courage in adversity
Caleb's courage is evident in verse 12 as he requests the hill country inhabited by the Anakim, a formidable foe. He expresses his readiness to confront them, stating, 'It may be that Yahweh will be with me, and I shall drive them out.' This shows his willingness to face challenges despite his advanced age and the difficulties encountered during the spies' mission.
The importance of inheritance
This chapter discusses the inheritance of the land as a critical aspect of God's promise to His people. In verses 1-2, the land is distributed among the tribes of Israel, while the Levites receive cities. Caleb’s claim to Hebron in verses 13-14 highlights how inheritance is intertwined with tribal heritage and familial legacy.
God's faithfulness in fulfilling His word
The text demonstrates God's faithfulness in fulfilling His word through Caleb’s experience. In v. 10, Caleb notes that Yahweh has kept him alive for 45 years since the promise was made, affirming God's commitment. The fulfillment of the promise in giving Hebron to Caleb in vv. 13-14 illustrates the reliability of God's word and His actions in the lives of His followers.
Chapter outline
How Joshua 14 unfolds
Joshua 14:1–2 Distribution of Land
The leaders of Israel, including Eleazar and Joshua, distribute the inheritances of the land of Canaan to the tribes by lot, following the command of Yahweh as given to Moses (vv. 1-2).
Joshua 14:3–5 Inheritance of the Levites
Moses had given 'the inheritance of the two tribes and the half-tribe beyond the Jordan,' while 'to the Levites he gave no inheritance.' The Israelites followed Yahweh's command, dividing the land and allocating cities for the Levites.
Joshua 14:6–9 Caleb's Request
Caleb approaches Joshua at Gilgal, recounting the promise made by Moses regarding the land he would inherit, emphasizing his loyalty to Yahweh during the previous scouting mission (vv. 6-9).
Joshua 14:10–12 Caleb's Strength at Old Age
At eighty-five years old, Caleb claims he still possesses the strength for battle, requesting the hill country where the Anakim live, expressing confidence that Yahweh will aid him in driving them out (vv. 10-12).
Joshua 14:13–15 Blessing and Inheritance
Joshua blesses Caleb and grants him Hebron as his inheritance, which remains a testament to Caleb's wholehearted devotion to Yahweh, and notes that Hebron was formerly known as Kiriath Arba (vv. 13-15).
Key verses
Joshua 14:12Caleb speaks to Joshua asking for the hill country where the Anakim were, showing his faith that Yahweh will help him drive them out.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Joshua 14
- observeIn v6, who approaches Joshua and what does he ask for?
- observeWhat promise does Moses make to Caleb in v9?
- interpretCaleb's statement in v12 about the Anakim: what does this indicate about his faith and confidence?
- interpretIn v14, why does the text emphasize that Caleb followed Yahweh wholeheartedly?
- applyWhen have you felt as strong as you did in your youth, like Caleb in v11?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Joshua 14
- Numbers 14Joshua 14:6 and Numbers 14:24Both remember God's promise: Joshua 14:6 Caleb reminds Joshua of what Yahweh spoke, while Numbers 14:24 mentions Caleb's faithfulness.
- Numbers 13Joshua 14:8 and Numbers 13:31Both present contrasting reports: Joshua 14:8 Caleb states he wholly followed Yahweh, while Numbers 13:31 says the men felt unable.
- Joshua 1Joshua 14:9 and Joshua 1:3Both affirm inheritance: Joshua 14:9 Moses swore Caleb's land would be his, while Joshua 1:3 states Yahweh gives every place walked.
- Psalm 51Joshua 14:14 and Psalm 51:10Both speak of the heart: Joshua 14:14 Caleb followed Yahweh wholeheartedly, while Psalm 51:10 asks for a clean heart.
- Deuteronomy 34Joshua 14:10 and Deuteronomy 34:7Both note age and vitality: Joshua 14:10 Caleb is now eighty-five, while Deuteronomy 34:7 reports Moses' strength was not gone.
- Joshua 15Joshua 14:12 and Joshua 15:14Both recount victories: Joshua 14:12 Caleb seeks the hill country, while Joshua 15:14 reports Caleb drove out giants.
Related chapters
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Where to go from here
- Joshua: the whole bookJoshua narrates the moment promise becomes geography.
- Full Year Chronological Bible, day 75Day 75 of 365: Joshua 13–15.
- StrengthWhat the Bible says about strength, with verses.
- Common Bible questionsThe questions people bring to Bible study, each answered from the text.
- Today's devotionalOne verse and a short reflection, new every morning.
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