Joshua 14:13

And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.

And Joshua {H3091} blessed {H1288} him, and gave {H5414} unto Caleb {H3612} the son {H1121} of Jephunneh {H3312} Hebron {H2275} for an inheritance {H5159}.

Y'hoshua blessed him and gave Hevron to Kalev the son of Y'funeh as his inheritance.

Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance.

And Joshua blessed him; and he gave Hebron unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh for an inheritance.

Commentary

Joshua 14:13 records a pivotal moment in the division of the Promised Land, highlighting the reward for unwavering faith and perseverance. After Caleb, son of Jephunneh, recounts God's promises and his steadfast loyalty over 45 years, Joshua, as the leader of Israel, formally grants his request.

Context

This verse concludes Caleb's impassioned plea, detailed in Joshua 14:6-12. Forty-five years prior, Caleb was one of the twelve spies sent by Moses into Canaan (Numbers 13:1-2). While ten spies brought back a fearful report that caused Israel to wander in the wilderness for 40 years, Caleb and Joshua alone exhibited steadfast faith, declaring that God would enable them to conquer the land (Numbers 14:6-9). As a direct result of his complete devotion to the Lord, God promised Caleb a specific inheritance, a promise reaffirmed by Moses (Numbers 14:24, Deuteronomy 1:36). Now, at 85 years old, Caleb was still strong and ready to claim his inheritance, which included the challenging task of dispossessing the powerful Anakim, a race of giants in Hebron (Joshua 14:12).

Key Themes

  • Faithfulness Rewarded: The central theme is God's faithfulness to His promises and His reward for those who are completely devoted to Him. Caleb's unwavering trust in God, even when others doubted, led directly to the fulfillment of his long-awaited inheritance.
  • Perseverance and Strength: Caleb's remarkable vitality at 85 years old, coupled with his eagerness to fight the Anakim, underscores the theme of enduring strength and perseverance that comes from relying on God. He was as strong for war at 85 as he was at 40.
  • Inheritance and Possession: The giving of Hebron signifies the tangible realization of God's covenant promises to Israel regarding the land. Caleb's portion serves as a testament to the fact that God always delivers on His word.

Linguistic Insights

The word "blessed" (Hebrew: barak) signifies more than a mere good wish; it implies a formal pronouncement of divine favor and prosperity. Joshua's blessing upon Caleb was an official recognition of God's hand on Caleb and the legitimacy of his claim. Hebron (Hebrew: Chevron) itself means "association" or "confederacy," and it was a historically significant city, being the burial place of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Practical Application

  • Trust God's Promises: Caleb's story encourages us to hold fast to God's promises, no matter how long it takes for them to materialize. His inheritance was delayed by 40 years of wilderness wandering, but his faith did not waver.
  • Maintain Your Spiritual Strength: Just as Caleb maintained his physical and spiritual vigor, we are called to remain strong in our faith, ready to tackle the "giants" or challenges that may stand between us and God's purposes for our lives.
  • Faithful Living is Rewarded: This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God honors those who honor Him. Our faithfulness, patience, and complete devotion to the Lord will ultimately be rewarded, not always as we expect, but always according to His perfect plan and timing.
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Cross-References

  • Judges 1:20 (6 votes)

    And they gave Hebron unto Caleb, as Moses said: and he expelled thence the three sons of Anak.

  • Joshua 22:6 (5 votes)

    So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away: and they went unto their tents.

  • 1 Chronicles 6:55 (4 votes)

    And they gave them Hebron in the land of Judah, and the suburbs thereof round about it.

  • 1 Chronicles 6:56 (4 votes)

    But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof, they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh.

  • Joshua 21:11 (4 votes)

    And they gave them the city of Arba the father of Anak, which [city is] Hebron, in the hill [country] of Judah, with the suburbs thereof round about it.

  • Joshua 21:12 (4 votes)

    But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof, gave they to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for his possession.

  • Joshua 15:13 (3 votes)

    ¶ And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, [even] the city of Arba the father of Anak, which [city is] Hebron.