Joshua 14:13 kjv
And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.
Joshua 14:13 nkjv
And Joshua blessed him, and gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh as an inheritance.
Joshua 14:13 niv
Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance.
Joshua 14:13 esv
Then Joshua blessed him, and he gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for an inheritance.
Joshua 14:13 nlt
So Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave Hebron to him as his portion of land.
Joshua 14 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 13:30 | Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, "We should by all means go up and take possession of it... | Caleb's courage & faith, a minority report. |
| Num 14:24 | "But My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered... | God's promise to Caleb for wholehearted devotion. |
| Deut 1:36 | except Caleb the son of Jephunneh; he will see it, and to him and to his sons I will give the land on which his foot has walked, because he has followed the LORD fully.' | Moses reiterates God's promise to Caleb. |
| Josh 14:8 | "Nevertheless, my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt... | Caleb recounts his wholehearted obedience vs. others' fear. |
| Josh 14:9 | "So Moses swore on that day, saying, 'Surely the land on which your foot has walked will be yours as an inheritance... | Caleb reminds Joshua of Moses' specific oath regarding his inheritance. |
| Josh 15:13 | Now to Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a portion among the sons of Judah, according to the command of the LORD to Joshua... | Direct continuation & formalization of the grant. |
| Josh 15:14 | Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak... | Caleb's fulfillment of his inheritance, requiring continued faith. |
| Num 32:11-12 | 'None of the men who came up from Egypt... except Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua the son of Nun, for they have followed the LORD fully...' | Exclusivity of Caleb's and Joshua's faithfulness. |
| Deut 33:1 | Now this is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed the sons of Israel before his death. | Moses' blessings, paralleling Joshua's role as spiritual leader. |
| Gen 12:2-3 | And I will make you a great nation... I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. | Pattern of divine blessing in the Abrahamic covenant. |
| Gen 23:2, 19 | Sarah died in Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron)... Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah... in Hebron in the land of Canaan. | Hebron's significance as a burial place for patriarchs (Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, Leah). |
| 2 Sam 2:1-4 | Now it came about after this that David inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I go up to one of the cities of Judah?"... So David went up there, and his two wives also... And the men of Judah came and there anointed David king over the house of Judah. | Hebron's later significance as David's first capital. |
| 1 Sam 30:26 | When David came to Ziklag, he sent some of the spoil to the elders of Judah... | Caleb's area was later part of David's sphere of influence. |
| Ps 16:5-6 | The LORD is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me. | Reflects the joy and security of divine inheritance. | Eph 1:11 | in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, | Spiritual inheritance for believers in Christ. |
| Col 1:12 | giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. | Sharing in the saints' spiritual inheritance. |
| Heb 11:6 | And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. | Caleb as an embodiment of faith receiving its reward. |
| Prov 3:9-10 | Honor the LORD from your wealth And from the first of all your produce; So your barns will be filled with plenty... | Principle of blessing flowing from obedience/honor. |
| Mal 3:10 | "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this," says the LORD of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows." | Divine reciprocity for obedience and faith. |
| Rev 2:10 | 'Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.' | Reward for steadfast faithfulness, echoing Caleb's journey. |
| Gal 6:9 | Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. | Encouragement for perseverance, reflecting Caleb's long wait. |
Joshua 14 verses
Joshua 14 13 Meaning
Joshua 14:13 records Joshua's immediate response to Caleb's request for Hebron, the mountainous region with the Anakim, which was promised to him by God through Moses. Joshua formally bestows God's promised inheritance upon Caleb, affirming God's faithfulness and acknowledging Caleb's unwavering loyalty and faith. It signifies the transfer of a specific divine promise into a tangible reality through human leadership and divine blessing.
Joshua 14 13 Context
Joshua 14 marks a significant transition in the book of Joshua: the commencement of land distribution among the Israelite tribes. Prior to this, Israel had largely secured the central and southern parts of Canaan through unified campaigns. Now, the emphasis shifts to settling the land. Within this larger context, Joshua 14 stands out by detailing a unique individual request before the general allocation. Caleb, now 85 years old, approaches Joshua to claim the mountainous region of Hebron. His request is based on a specific promise made to him by God through Moses 45 years earlier (recorded in Numbers 14 and Deuteronomy 1) as a reward for his unwavering faithfulness in scouting the land and advocating for God's ability to give them victory, unlike the other ten fearful spies. Hebron, importantly, was inhabited by the formidable Anakim (giants), making it a challenging, rather than easy, inheritance, further emphasizing Caleb's enduring faith and courage. This verse, Joshua 14:13, is Joshua's formal act of conferring this promised inheritance, demonstrating that God's covenant promises, especially those given to faithful individuals, are remembered and fulfilled.
Joshua 14 13 Word analysis
- So Joshua: Hebrew: וַיְבָרְכֵהוּ יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (vay'varekhehu Yehoshua). "Joshua" (Yehoshua - יְהוֹשֻׁעַ) means "The LORD is salvation." This phrase emphasizes Joshua's active and immediate role as Israel's leader, executing God's will. His actions here reflect his name and mission: facilitating God's salvation/blessings for His people.
- blessed him: Hebrew: וַיְבָרְכֵהוּ (vay'varekhehu), derived from the root בָּרַךְ (barak). This blessing is not merely a wish but a declarative act, invoking divine favor and formally affirming the promise given to Caleb. It’s an authoritative action, conveying legitimate divine sanction for Caleb’s claim and signifying God’s approval of Caleb's unwavering loyalty.
- and gave: Hebrew: וַיִּתֶּן־לוֹ (vayit-ten-lo), from נָתַן (natan), "to give," "to put," "to place." This word denotes a direct and authoritative act of allocation. It legally and spiritually transfers the promised land. This is the fulfillment, a concrete bestowment, demonstrating the Lord's faithful recompense through His chosen leader.
- Hebron: Hebrew: חֶבְרוֹן (Chevron). The name itself suggests "confederacy" or "alliance." Historically, it was an ancient city in the Judean hill country, significant as a very early Canaanite stronghold, one of the original cities from before Israel's entry. It was the burial place of the patriarchs and matriarchs (Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, Leah), making its possession particularly symbolic of ancestral inheritance and covenant fulfillment. Its capture and dwelling by Caleb symbolized overcoming deep-rooted enemies (Anakim). Its acquisition by Caleb embodies the polemic against the idea that the "giants" were invincible, demonstrating God's power through faithful individuals.
- to Caleb: Hebrew: כָּלֵב (Kalev). While the literal meaning of his name can be "dog," in Hebrew culture, it often signified loyalty, devotion, and courage—qualities abundantly displayed by Caleb. His request itself and this verse are a testimony to his character. He is depicted as "wholehearted" in his devotion to the Lord.
- the son of Jephunneh: Hebrew: בֶּן־יְפֻנֶּה (ben Yᵉfunneh). This lineage specifies and validates Caleb's identity. Hephunneh (Yᵉfunneh) means "he will be watched" or "prepared." This identification is critical in biblical records for establishing legal claims to inheritance, tribe, and family. Caleb, though adopted into Judah, was of Kenizzite background (Num 32:12), highlighting how God's promises can extend beyond typical tribal boundaries to those who are faithful.
- as an inheritance: Hebrew: נַחֲלָה (nachalah). This term signifies a permanent possession, passed down through generations. It is not a temporary lease or grant, but a perpetual, God-given entitlement. This reflects God's promise being fully vested and owned by Caleb and his descendants, symbolizing lasting blessings for faithful obedience.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "So Joshua blessed him": This action signifies Joshua’s formal endorsement, not just as a human leader but as God's representative, confirming Caleb's faithfulness and acknowledging the divine hand in Caleb's destiny. It is a spiritual and official affirmation.
- "and gave Hebron to Caleb": This highlights the immediate and direct fulfillment of the promise. The formal transfer of specific territory is made explicit, emphasizing the reality and tangibility of God’s covenant word. It underscores that God rewards faithful persistence.
- "the son of Jephunneh as an inheritance": This emphasizes the legal, familial, and permanent nature of the grant. It confirms that the promised blessing is for Caleb's lineage, rooted in his specific identity, ensuring the land will belong to his posterity for all generations, representing God's generational faithfulness to those who serve Him.
Joshua 14 13 Bonus section
- Caleb’s unique Kenizzite (or Kenizzite-derived, hence a branch of Edom/Edomite origin, integrated into Judah) background underscores God’s inclusive nature; faithfulness, not lineage alone, qualified one for extraordinary blessings and integral participation in God’s plan.
- The fact that Caleb claimed Hebron—a region famous for its giants (the Anakim)—at the age of 85, demonstrates remarkable courage and unyielding physical and spiritual strength, a direct answer to his declaration in the preceding verse (Josh 14:11) that he was "as strong now as I was in the day Moses sent me."
- Hebron's future role as a City of Refuge (Josh 20:7) for unintentional manslayers is foreshadowed. This demonstrates God's continuing plan for justice and mercy even in the land of inheritance given for fidelity.
Joshua 14 13 Commentary
Joshua 14:13 serves as a pivotal moment, showcasing the divine principle that steadfast, wholehearted faith in God receives its promised reward. Joshua's act of blessing Caleb and formally granting Hebron is a direct fulfillment of God's forty-five-year-old promise. This passage underlines not just God's faithfulness to His word, but also His pleasure in individuals who fully trust and obey Him, like Caleb who was unwavering amidst fear and doubt of his peers. The inheritance of Hebron, despite being occupied by the formidable Anakim, speaks volumes about the nature of God's blessings—they often come with challenges that require continued faith and effort, yet the ultimate victory is assured by God’s presence. It signifies that enduring loyalty is recognized and rewarded, confirming that obedience rooted in faith culminates in experiencing God's specific promises. Caleb's story encourages believers to consistently trust God's promises, knowing that He remembers and will ultimately grant their "mountains."