Joshua 14
Overview
Joshua 14 is a significant chapter in the Book of Joshua, focusing on Caleb's request for his inheritance in Canaan and marking the commencement of land allocation to the tribes of Israel west of the Jordan. Key elements include:
Background of Land Division: The chapter starts by explaining that the land west of the Jordan is being divided among the Israelites as an inheritance, as Moses had commanded. This division involves the nine and a half tribes, as Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had already received their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan.
Caleb's Request: Caleb, the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, approaches Joshua at Gilgal. He reminds Joshua of the promise Moses made to him in Kadesh Barnea, based on his faithful report as a spy in the land of Canaan.
Caleb’s Faithfulness and Moses’ Promise: Caleb recounts how he followed the LORD wholeheartedly and how Moses promised him the land on which his feet had trodden. He specifically mentions the hill country of Hebron.
Caleb’s Strength at 85 Years: Demonstrating remarkable strength and faith at 85 years old, Caleb declares that he is still as strong as he was when Moses sent him as a spy. He expresses confidence in driving out the Anakites from the hill country.
Joshua Blesses Caleb: Moved by Caleb's unwavering faith and dedication, Joshua blesses him and gives him Hebron as his inheritance. The chapter notes that the land had rest from war.
Joshua 14 not only begins the narrative of dividing Canaan among the Israelite tribes but also highlights Caleb's exemplary faith and perseverance. His story stands as a testament to the rewards of wholehearted devotion to God and perseverance in the face of challenges. Caleb’s inheritance of Hebron is a fulfillment of God’s promise, underscoring the theme of faithfulness running throughout the book.
Background of Land Division: The chapter starts by explaining that the land west of the Jordan is being divided among the Israelites as an inheritance, as Moses had commanded. This division involves the nine and a half tribes, as Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had already received their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan.
Caleb's Request: Caleb, the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, approaches Joshua at Gilgal. He reminds Joshua of the promise Moses made to him in Kadesh Barnea, based on his faithful report as a spy in the land of Canaan.
Caleb’s Faithfulness and Moses’ Promise: Caleb recounts how he followed the LORD wholeheartedly and how Moses promised him the land on which his feet had trodden. He specifically mentions the hill country of Hebron.
Caleb’s Strength at 85 Years: Demonstrating remarkable strength and faith at 85 years old, Caleb declares that he is still as strong as he was when Moses sent him as a spy. He expresses confidence in driving out the Anakites from the hill country.
Joshua Blesses Caleb: Moved by Caleb's unwavering faith and dedication, Joshua blesses him and gives him Hebron as his inheritance. The chapter notes that the land had rest from war.
Joshua 14 not only begins the narrative of dividing Canaan among the Israelite tribes but also highlights Caleb's exemplary faith and perseverance. His story stands as a testament to the rewards of wholehearted devotion to God and perseverance in the face of challenges. Caleb’s inheritance of Hebron is a fulfillment of God’s promise, underscoring the theme of faithfulness running throughout the book.
Joshua 14
1 And these are the countries which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed for inheritance to them.
2 By lot was their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half tribe.
3 For Moses had given the inheritance of two tribes and an half tribe on the other side Jordan: but unto the Levites he gave none inheritance among them.
4 For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: therefore they gave no part unto the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for their cattle and for their substance.
5 As the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did, and they divided the land.
6 Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadeshbarnea.
7 Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart.
8 Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God.
9 And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God.
10 And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old.
11 As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.
12 Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.
🔑 Devotion
13 And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.
14 Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel.
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15 And the name of Hebron before was Kirjatharba; which Arba was a great man among the Anakims. And the land had rest from war.
End of Joshua 14
1 Year Plan: Apr 5 - Josh 14, Josh 15, Ps 39, Ps 40
2 By lot was their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half tribe.
3 For Moses had given the inheritance of two tribes and an half tribe on the other side Jordan: but unto the Levites he gave none inheritance among them.
4 For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: therefore they gave no part unto the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for their cattle and for their substance.
5 As the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did, and they divided the land.
6 Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadeshbarnea.
7 Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart.
8 Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God.
9 And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God.
10 And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old.
11 As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.
12 Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.
🔑 Devotion
13 And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.
14 Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel.
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15 And the name of Hebron before was Kirjatharba; which Arba was a great man among the Anakims. And the land had rest from war.
End of Joshua 14
1 Year Plan: Apr 5 - Josh 14, Josh 15, Ps 39, Ps 40
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