1
This is what the Israelites received as an inheritance in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers’ houses of the tribes of the Israelites apportioned to them.
2
Their inheritance was assigned by lot, as the LORD had commanded through Moses concerning the nine and a half tribes.
3
For Moses had given an inheritance to the two and a half tribes beyond the Jordan, but to the Levites he gave no inheritance among them.
4
For the descendants of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. And the Levites were given no portion in the land, except cities to live in, with pasturelands for their livestock and their animals.
5
As the LORD had commanded Moses, so the Israelites did, and they divided the land.
6
Then the sons of Judah came to Joshua at Gilgal. At that time Caleb son of Jephunneh, the Kenizzite, said to him, “You know the word that the LORD spoke to Moses, the man of God, concerning me and concerning you at 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; and I brought him back a report as it was in my heart.
8
But my brothers who went up with me made the heart of the people melt with fear; yet I wholly followed the LORD my God.
9
Then Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land on which your foot has trodden shall be an inheritance for you and for your children forever, because you have wholly followed the LORD my God.’
10
And now, behold, the LORD has kept me alive, as he said, these forty-five years since the LORD spoke this word to Moses, while Israel walked in the wilderness. And now, today I am eighty-five years old.
11
I am still as strong today as I was on the day Moses sent me; as my strength was then, so is my strength now, for war and for going out and coming in.
12
So now give me this hill country, of which the LORD spoke on that day, for you yourself heard on that day that the Anakim were there, with great fortified cities. Perhaps the LORD will be with me, and I shall drive them out, as the LORD said.”
13
Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh, and he gave Hebron to him as an inheritance.
14
That is why Hebron has become the inheritance of Caleb son of Jephunneh, the Kenizzite, to this day, because he followed the LORD, the God of Israel, with all his heart.
15
The former name of Hebron was Kiriath-Arba; Arba was the greatest among the Anakim. And the land had rest, and there was no more war.
🏔️🗣️🛡️ Summary of Joshua 14 – Caleb Asks for the Hill Country of Hebron
Joshua 14 highlights the figure of Caleb, one of the two spies who remained faithful in the days of Moses. After 45 years had passed since the promise was given to him, Caleb is now 85 years old, yet he is still full of zeal to ask for his inheritance: the hill country of Hebron, which was still held by the giant clan, the Anakim. Caleb’s faith and perseverance were honored by the Lord and His people.
📌 1. The Division of the Land in Western Canaan Begins (verses 1–5)
- The leaders of Israel, including Joshua, Eleazar (the high priest), and the tribal chiefs, began to divide the land.
- The land was divided by lot, according to the command the Lord gave to Moses.
- The tribe of Levi remained without a land inheritance (because of their priestly duty).
🎯 The Lord is a God of order and faithful to His promises to His people.
📌 2. Caleb Asks for the Hill Country of Hebron (verses 6–15)
- Caleb of the tribe of Judah came to Joshua at Gilgal and said:
“You know the word the LORD spoke to Moses concerning me and you…” (verse 6)
- Caleb remembered:
He was 40 years old when he spied out Canaan (Numbers 13–14).
Because he was faithful, the Lord promised the land to Caleb.
Now he is 85 years old, yet still strong as in his youth.
- Caleb said:
“Give me the promised hill country!” (verse 12)
- Joshua blessed him, and Hebron became Caleb’s possession.
🎯 Caleb did not ask for an easy place, but for a mountain full of challenges — because he believed the Lord would be with him.
📖 Main Teaching
- God’s promise can be fulfilled even after waiting for decades — as long as one remains faithful.
- Age is not a reason to give up in faith or spiritual zeal.
- True faith asks for what is hard, not what is easy.
- Caleb shows that courage and perseverance come from trust in God’s word.
- Obedience in the past opens the door to an inheritance in the future.
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
“…to imitate those who through faith and patience inherited the promises.”
“I have finished the good fight, I have reached the finish line, and I have kept the faith.”
“Even in old age they still bear fruit… to declare that the LORD is upright.”
🎯 Caleb teaches that unwavering faith will receive the promise, even when the world thinks it is already too late.
“But I followed the LORD, my God, wholeheartedly.” – Joshua 14:8
“Give me that mountain…” – Joshua 14:12
“Hebron became Caleb’s… because he followed the LORD fully.” – Joshua 14:14
