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Commentary on Joshua 14 verses 6–15
Before the lot was cast into the lap for the determining of the portions of the respective tribes, the particular portion of Caleb was assigned to him. He was now, except Joshua, not only the oldest man in all Israel, but was twenty years older than any of them, for all that were above twenty years old when he was forty were dead in the wilderness; it was fit therefore that this phoenix of his age should have some particular marks of honour put upon him in the dividing of the land. Now,
I. Caleb here presents his petition, or rather makes his demand, to have Hebron given him for a possession (this mountain he calls it, Jos 14:12), and not to have that put into the lot with the other parts of the country. To justify his demand, he shows that God had long since, by Moses, promised him that very mountain; so that God's mind being already made known in this matter it would be a vain and needless thing to consult it any further by casting lots, by which we are to appeal to God in those cases only which cannot otherwise be decided, not in those which, like this, are already determined. Caleb is here called the Kenezite, some think from some remarkable victory obtained by him over the Kenezites, as the Romans gave their great generals titles from the countries they conquered, as Africanus, Germanicus, etc. Observe,
1.To enforce his petition, (1.) He brings the children of Judah, that is, the heads and great men of that tribe, along with him, to present it, who were willing thus to pay their respects to that ornament of their tribe, and to testify their consent that he should be provided for by himself, and that they would not take it as any reflection upon the rest of this tribe. Caleb was the person whom God had chosen out of that tribe to be employed in dividing the land (Num 34:19), and therefore, lest he should seem to improve his authority as a commissioner for his own private advantage and satisfaction, he brings his brethren along with him, and waiving his own power, seems rather to rely upon their interest. (2.) He appeals to Joshua himself concerning the truth of the allegations upon which he grounded his petition: Thou knowest the thing, Jos 14:6. (3.) He makes a very honourable mention of Moses, which he knew would not be at all unpleasing to Joshua: Moses the man of God (Jos 14:6), and the servant of the Lord, Jos 14:7. What Moses said he took as from God himself, because Moses was his mouth and his agent, and therefore he had reason both to desire and expect that it should be made good. What can be more earnestly desired than the tokens of God's favour? And what more confidently expected than the grants of his promise?
2.In his petition he sets forth,
(1.)The testimony of his conscience concerning his integrity in the management of that great affair on which it proved the fare of Israel turned, the spying out of the land. Caleb was one of the twelve that were sent out on that errand (Jos 14:7), and he now reflected upon it with comfort, and mentioned it, not in pride, but as that which, being the consideration of the grant, was necessary to be inserted in the plea, [1.] That he made his report as it was in his heart, that is, he spoke as he thought when he spoke so honourably of the land of Canaan, so confidently of the power of God to put them in possession of it, and so contemptibly of the opposition that the Canaanites, even the Anakim themselves, could make against them, as we find he did, Num 13:30; Num 14:7-9. He did not do it merely to please Moses, or to keep the people quiet, much less from a spirit of contradiction to his fellows, but from a full conviction of the truth of what he said and a firm belief of the divine promise. [2.] That herein he wholly followed the Lord his God, that is, he kept close to his duty, and sincerely aimed at the glory of God in it. He conformed himself to the divine will with an eye to the divine favour. He had obtained this testimony from God himself (Num 14:24), and therefore it was not vain-glory in him to speak of it, any more than it is for those who have God's Spirit witnessing with their spirits that they are the children of God humbly and thankfully to tell others for their encouragement what God has done for their souls. Note, Those that follow God fully when they are young shall have both the credit and comfort of it when they are old, and the reward of it for ever in the heavenly Canaan. [3.] That he did this when all his brethren and companions in that service, except Joshua, did otherwise. They made the heart of the people melt (Jos 14:8), and how pernicious the consequences of it were was very well known. It adds much to the praise of following God if we adhere to him when others desert and decline from him. Caleb needed not to mention particularly Joshua's conduct in this matter; it was sufficiently known, and he would not seem to flatter him; it was enough to say (Jos 14:6), Thou knowest what the Lord spoke concerning me and thee.
(2.)The experience he had had of God's goodness to him ever since to this day. Though he had wandered with the rest in the wilderness, and had been kept thirty-eight years out of Canaan as they were, for that sin which he was so far from having a hand in that he had done his utmost to prevent it, yet, instead of complaining of this, he mentioned, to the glory of God, his mercy to him in two things: - [1.] That he was kept alive in the wilderness, not only notwithstanding the common perils and fatigues of that tedious march, but though all that generation of Israelites, except himself and Joshua, were one way or other cut off by death. With what a grateful sense of God's goodness to him does he speak it! (Jos 14:10). Now behold (behold and wonder) the Lord hath kept me alive these forty and five years, thirty-eight years in the wilderness, through the plagues of the desert, and seven years in Canaan through the perils of war! Note, First, While we live, it is God that keeps us alive; by his power he protects us from death, and by his bounty supplies us continually with the supports and comforts of life. He holdeth our soul in life. Secondly, The longer we live the more sensible we should be of God's goodness to us in keeping us alive, his care in prolonging our frail lives, his patience in prolonging our forfeited lives. Has he kept me alive these forty-five years? Is it about that time of life with us? Or is it more? Or is it less? We have reason to say, It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed. How much are we indebted to the favour of God, and what shall we render? Let the life thus kept by the providence of God be devoted to his praise. Thirdly, The death of many others round about us should make us the more thankful to God for sparing us and keeping us alive. Thousands falling on our right hand and our left and yet ourselves spared. These distinguishing favours impose on us strong obligations to singular obedience. [2.] That he was fit for business, now that he was in Canaan. Though eighty-five years old, yet as hearty and lively as when he was forty (Jos 14:11): As my strength was then, so is it now. This was the fruit of the promise, and out-did what was said; for God not only gives what he promises, but he gives more: life by promise shall be life, and health, and strength, and all that which will make the promised life a blessing and comfort. Moses had said in his prayer (Psa 90:10) that at eighty years old even their strength is labour and sorrow, and so it is most commonly. But Caleb was an exception to the rule; his strength at eighty-five was ease and joy: this he got by following the Lord fully. Caleb here takes notice of this to the glory of God, and as an excuse for his asking a portion which he must fetch out of the giants' hands. Let not Joshua tell him he knew not what he asked; could he get the possession of that which he begged for a title to? "Yes," says he, "why not? I am as fit for war now as ever I was."
(3.)The promise Moses had made him in God's name that he should have this mountain, Jos 14:9. This promise is his chief plea, and that on which he relies. As we find it (Num 14:24) it is general, him will I bring into the land whereunto he went, and his seed shall possess it; but it seems it was more particular, and Joshua knew it; both sides understood this mountain for which Caleb was now a suitor to be intended. This was the place from which, more than any other, the spies took their report, for here they met with the sons of Anak (Num 13:22), the sight of whom made such an impression upon them, Jos 14:3. We may suppose that Caleb, observing what stress they laid upon the difficulty of conquering Hebron, a city garrisoned by the giants, and how thence they inferred that the conquest of the whole land was utterly impracticable, in opposition to their suggestions, and to convince the people that he spoke as he thought, bravely desired to have that city which they called invincible assigned to himself for his own portion: "I will undertake to deal with that, and, if I cannot get it for my inheritance, I will be without." "Well," said Moses, "it shall be thy own then, win it and wear it." Such a noble heroic spirit Caleb had, and so desirous was he to inspire his brethren with it, that he chose this place only because it was the most difficult to be conquered. And, to show that his soul did not decay any more than his body, now forty-five years after he adheres to his choice and is still of the same mind.
(4.)The hopes he had of being master of it, though the sons of Anak were in possession of it (Jos 14:12): If the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out. The city of Hebron Joshua had already reduced (Jos 10:37), but the mountain which belonged to it, and which was inhabited by the sons of Anak, was yet unconquered; for though the cutting off of the Anakim from Hebron was mentioned Jos 11:21, because the historian would relate all the military actions together, yet it seems it was not conquered till after they had begun to divide the land. Observe, He builds his hopes of driving out the sons of Anak upon the presence of God with him. He does not say, "Because I am now as strong for war as I was at forty, therefore I shall drive them out," depending upon his personal valour; nor does he depend upon his interest in the warlike tribe of Judah, who attended him now in making this address, and no doubt would assist him; nor does he court Joshua's aid, or put it upon that, "If thou wilt be with me I shall gain my point." But, If the Lord will be with me. Here, [1.] He seems to speak doubtfully of God's being with him, not from any distrust of his goodness or faithfulness. He had spoken without the least hesitation of God's presence with Israel in general (Num 14:9); the Lord is with us. But for himself, from a humble sense of his own unworthiness of such a favour, he chooses to express himself thus, If the Lord will be with me. The Chaldee paraphrase reads it, If the Word of the Lord be my helper, that Word which is God, and in the fulness of time was made flesh, and is the captain of our salvation. [2.] But he expresses without the least doubt his assurance that if God were with him he should be able to dispossess the sons of Anak. "If God be with us, If God be for us, who can be against us, so as to prevail?" It is also intimated that if God were not with him, though all the forces of Israel should come in to his assistance, he should not be able to gain his point. Whatever we undertake, God's favourable presence with us is all in all to our success; this therefore we must earnestly pray for, and carefully make sure of, by keeping ourselves in the love of God; and on this we must depend, and from this take our encouragement against the greatest difficulties.
3.Upon the whole matter, Caleb's request is (Jos 14:12), Give me this mountain, (1.) Because it was formerly in God's promise, and he would let Israel know how much he valued the promise, insisting upon this mountain, whereof the Lord spake in that day, as most desirable, though perhaps as good a portion might have fallen to him by lot in common with the rest. Those that live by faith value that which is given by promise far above that which is given by providence only. (2.) Because it was now in the Anakim's possession, and he would let Israel know how little he feared the enemy, and would by his example animate them to push on their conquests. Herein Caleb answered his name, which signifies all heart.
II. Joshua grants his petition (Jos 14:13): Joshua blessed him, commended his bravery, applauded his request, and gave him what he asked. He also prayed for him, and for his good success in his intended undertaking against the sons of Anak. Joshua was both a prince and a prophet, and upon both accounts it was proper for him to give Caleb his blessing, for the less is blessed of the better. Hebron was settled on Caleb and his heirs (Jos 14:14), because he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel. And happy are we if we follow him. Note, Singular piety shall be crowned with singular favours. Now, 1. We are here told what Hebron had been, the city of Arba, a great man among the Anakim (Jos 14:15); we find it called Kirjath-arba (Gen 23:2), as the place where Sarah died. Hereabouts Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob lived most of their time in Canaan, and near to it was the cave of Machpelah, where they were buried, which perhaps had led Caleb hither when he went to spy out the land, and had made him covet this rather than any other part for his inheritance. 2. We are afterwards told what Hebron was. (1.) It was one of the cities belonging to priests (Jos 21:13), and a city of refuge, Jos 20:7. When Caleb had it, he contented himself with the country about it, and cheerfully gave the city to the priests, the Lord's ministers, thinking it could not be better bestowed, no, not upon his own children, nor that it was the less his own for being thus devoted to God. (2.) It was a royal city, and, in the beginning of David's reign, the metropolis of the kingdom of Judah; thither the people resorted to him, and there he reigned seven years. Thus highly was Caleb's city honoured; it is a pity there should have been such a blemish upon his family long after as Nabal was, who was of the house of Caleb, Sa1 25:3. But the best men cannot entail their virtues.
However, he [the Lord] said they should not come to that land which they had refused, as a penalty for their unbelief; but their children and wives, who had not murmured, and who, owing to their sex and age, were guiltless, should receive the promised inheritance of that land. So the bodies of those of twenty years old and upwards fell in the desert. The punishment of the rest was put aside. But they who had gone up with Joshua, and had thought fit to dissuade the people, died without delay of a great plague. Joshua and Caleb entered the land of promise together with those who were innocent by reason of age or sex. The better part, therefore, preferred glory to safety; the worse part safety to virtue. But the divine judgment approved those who thought virtue was above what is useful, while it condemned those who preferred what seemed more in accordance with safety than with what is virtuous.
A brother asked John, ‘What shall I do? A brother keeps coming and taking me away to help with the work which he is doing: but I am poor and ill, and too weak to do it. How can I obey God’s commandment?’ He answered him, ‘Caleb the son of Jephunneh said to Joshua the son of Nun, “I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me with you to that country and now I am eighty-five. Then I was strong: and I am still just as capable of beginning and ending a battle” (cf. Josh. 14:6, 10–11). So go with him and see if you finish the work as well as you begin it. If you can’t, sit in your cell and lament your sins. If they find you weeping when they come, they will not force you to go with them.’
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SUMMARY
Joshua 14:6 presents a pivotal moment in the allocation of the Promised Land, as Caleb, a steadfast leader from the tribe of Judah, approaches Joshua in Gilgal. This verse powerfully underscores Caleb's unwavering faith and enduring perseverance, as he confidently appeals to a specific, decades-old divine promise made by the LORD to Moses concerning both Caleb and Joshua at Kadesh-barnea, thereby laying the foundation for his rightful claim to his inheritance.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several effective literary devices that enhance its impact and meaning. Recapitulation is central, as Caleb brings to the forefront a pivotal past event and divine promise, reminding Joshua of their shared history and God's enduring faithfulness. This act of remembering serves to validate Caleb's present claim and highlight the continuity of God's purposes. The direct Dialogue between Caleb and Joshua underscores the personal nature of their relationship and the unique position they hold as the only two survivors of the original generation who would enter the Promised Land. The phrase "Thou knowest" functions as a form of Apostrophe or direct address, drawing Joshua into the conversation and appealing to his personal knowledge and shared experience. Furthermore, the precise historical reference to "Kadeshbarnea" and "the thing that the LORD said" acts as a form of Foreshadowing of the fulfillment that is about to occur, as the long-awaited promise is now on the cusp of being realized. The repetition of the theme of God's word being fulfilled, initially spoken to Moses, then remembered by Caleb, and now acted upon by Joshua, creates a powerful sense of Thematic Unity across generations and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 14:6 serves as a powerful testament to the enduring faithfulness of God and the profound reward for wholehearted devotion. Caleb's confident appeal, rooted in a divine promise made decades earlier, powerfully underscores the immutable nature of God's word. It teaches us that God remembers His covenants and will bring to pass what He has declared, regardless of the passage of time or intervening obstacles. Caleb's story encourages believers to hold fast to God's promises, to persevere in faith, and to live with a wholehearted commitment to the LORD, knowing that such faithfulness does not go unnoticed or unrewarded. His inheritance is not merely a physical plot of land but a tangible demonstration of God's integrity and a model for the spiritual inheritance promised to those who trust Him fully.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Caleb's approach to Joshua in Joshua 14:6 offers profound and enduring lessons for contemporary believers. His unwavering faith, even after 45 years of wilderness wandering and military conquest, challenges us to examine the depth and resilience of our own trust in God's promises. Caleb didn't merely passively remember the promise; he actively claimed it, demonstrating a proactive faith that believes God is utterly faithful to His word. This verse encourages us to stand firm on the promises of God in our lives, even when circumstances seem to delay their fulfillment or when formidable challenges (like the Anakim in Hebron) stand in the way. Caleb's example reminds us that true spiritual inheritance is often intrinsically tied to wholehearted devotion and patient endurance. Just as Caleb confidently approached Joshua, we are called to approach God's throne with boldness and assurance, not based on our own merit, but on the certainty of His unchanging character and His revealed word, trusting that He will bring to completion the good work He has begun in us.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is Caleb's Kenezite background mentioned, and what is its significance?
Answer: Caleb is identified as "the Kenezite" in Joshua 14:6, linking him to a clan that, while assimilated into the tribe of Judah, may have had non-Israelite origins (e.g., Edomite or Horite through Kenaz, Genesis 36:11, 15). This detail is significant because it highlights God's inclusive nature and His willingness to bless and use individuals from diverse backgrounds who demonstrate genuine faith and wholehearted devotion. It underscores that God's favor is not exclusively tied to ethnic lineage but to faithfulness, demonstrating that anyone who "wholly follows the LORD" can receive His promises and inheritance, as explicitly stated in Numbers 14:24.
What was the "thing that the LORD said" in Kadesh-barnea, and why was it so important?
Answer: The "thing that the LORD said" refers to the specific divine promise made to Caleb (and Joshua) after the incident at Kadesh-barnea, detailed in Numbers 13 and Numbers 14. When twelve spies were sent into Canaan, only Caleb and Joshua returned with a positive report, urging the Israelites to trust God and enter the land. The other ten spies instilled fear, leading to the people's rebellion and God's judgment that the entire adult generation, except Joshua and Caleb, would die in the wilderness. Because Caleb "wholly followed the LORD," God specifically promised him that he would enter and possess the land he had scouted (Numbers 14:24). This promise was crucial because it guaranteed Caleb's inheritance and powerfully demonstrated God's faithfulness to those who trust Him, even amidst widespread unbelief and national failure.
Why did Caleb approach Joshua specifically, and why in Gilgal?
Answer: Caleb approached Joshua because Joshua was the new, divinely appointed leader of Israel, Moses' successor, and the one solely responsible for overseeing the division of the Promised Land. Joshua was also the only other person alive who shared the exact experience and promise from Kadesh-barnea, making him the ideal, and perhaps only, person to whom Caleb could make this personal appeal. Their shared history, mutual respect, and joint faithfulness are evident. The meeting took place in Gilgal because it was the central encampment and administrative hub for the Israelites at that time, serving as the primary base for the initial land distribution efforts, as outlined in Joshua 13.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Caleb's story in Joshua 14:6, with its profound emphasis on divine promise, wholehearted faithfulness, and the ultimate inheritance, profoundly foreshadows and finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Just as Caleb received a promised physical inheritance because of his unwavering trust in God, believers in Christ receive an eternal, spiritual inheritance through faith in Him. Christ is the ultimate "man of God," the one through whom all of God's promises find their "Yes" and "Amen," guaranteeing their fulfillment for us (2 Corinthians 1:20). Our "Kadesh-barnea" moment is the cross, where Christ, the perfectly faithful Son, perfectly obeyed the Father, securing for us an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for us (1 Peter 1:4). We are no longer defined by our earthly lineage or past failures, but by our union with Christ, becoming "heirs according to the promise" through faith (Galatians 3:29). Through Him, we are granted bold access to God's presence and a spiritual rest that Caleb's physical inheritance only hinted at (Hebrews 4:9). Caleb's confident claim to his promised land, despite the formidable giants, mirrors our bold access to our heavenly inheritance through Christ, who has already conquered every spiritual foe and prepared an eternal place for us (John 14:2). Our inheritance is not merely a plot of land, but participation in the very life and glory of God through Christ, an inheritance obtained "in Him" according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will (Ephesians 1:11).