Joshua 14:14 kjv
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.
Joshua 14:14 nkjv
Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel.
Joshua 14:14 niv
So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the LORD, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly.
Joshua 14:14 esv
Therefore Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the LORD, the God of Israel.
Joshua 14:14 nlt
Hebron still belongs to the descendants of Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite because he wholeheartedly followed the LORD, the God of Israel.
Joshua 14 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Caleb's Faith & Reward | ||
| Num 14:24 | "But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit... Him I will bring into the land..." | Caleb's unique spirit & reward |
| Deut 1:36 | "...Caleb the son of Jephunneh; he shall see it, and to him and to his children I will give the land..." | Promise to Caleb |
| Num 32:11-12 | "...none of the men... except Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun, for they have wholly followed the Lord." | Only Caleb and Joshua wholly followed |
| Josh 14:8-9 | "...my brethren... made the heart of the people melt... but I wholly followed the Lord my God. So Moses swore on that day..." | Caleb's defense & Moses' oath |
| Josh 14:12 | "Now therefore give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day... it may be that the Lord will be with me..." | Caleb claims promised land |
| Josh 15:13-14 | "To Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a share among the sons of Judah... and Caleb drove out the three sons of Anak..." | Caleb's effective conquest |
| Wholly Following God (Wholehearted Obedience) | ||
| Deut 6:5 | "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might." | Command to wholehearted love |
| Deut 10:12 | "...to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul..." | Requirement for serving God wholly |
| Josh 22:5 | "But take careful heed to do the commandment and the law... to love the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways..." | Admonition to keep commands & walk with God |
| 1 Ki 8:61 | "Let your heart therefore be loyal to the Lord our God, to walk in His statutes and keep His commandments..." | Call for wholehearted loyalty |
| 2 Chr 16:9 | "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him." | God rewards loyal hearts |
| Ps 37:4 | "Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart." | Delight leads to fulfillment |
| Ps 119:10 | "With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not stray from Your commandments!" | Seeking God with whole heart |
| Pro 3:5-6 | "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." | Wholehearted trust & guidance |
| Jer 29:13 | "And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." | Promise for wholehearted seeking |
| Matt 22:37 | Jesus said to him, “’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’” | Great Commandment of love |
| Col 3:23 | "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men..." | Work as to the Lord with all heart |
| Promise Fulfillment & Inheritance | ||
| Num 14:30 | "...surely you shall not come into the land which I swore to make you dwell in, except Caleb... and Joshua..." | Promise fulfilled in new generation |
| Josh 21:43-45 | "So the Lord gave to Israel all the land... Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken..." | God's faithfulness in giving land |
| Ps 37:29 | "The righteous shall inherit the land, And dwell in it forever." | Inheritance of the righteous |
| Matt 5:5 | "Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth." | Beatitude on inheriting |
| Heb 10:23 | "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." | God's faithfulness to promises |
| Contrast to Unfaithfulness | ||
| Num 14:11-12 | "...How long will these people despise Me?... I will strike them with the pestilence and disinherit them..." | Consequences of rebellion |
| Heb 3:18-19 | "And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter because of unbelief." | Unbelief bars from God's rest |
Joshua 14 verses
Joshua 14 14 Meaning
Joshua 14:14 records the reason for Caleb's unique inheritance of Hebron: it was granted to him permanently because of his unwavering and complete faithfulness to the Lord, the God of Israel, during the wilderness wandering. This verse underscores the divine principle that steadfast devotion to God is honored and rewarded.
Joshua 14 14 Context
Joshua 14 falls within the broader narrative of the division of the land of Canaan among the tribes of Israel, following their conquest under Joshua's leadership. Specifically, verses 6-15 detail Caleb's request for the mountainous region of Hebron, as it was promised to him by Moses forty-five years earlier in the wilderness. Caleb recounts his faithful actions as one of the twelve spies, contrasting his wholehearted devotion with the fear and rebellion of the other ten spies. He stands as an example of unwavering faith and vigor, even at the age of 85, ready to conquer the giants inhabiting the promised land. Verse 14 provides the divine justification and enduring legacy of his unique inheritance.
Joshua 14 14 Word analysis
- Hebron: Hebrew: חֶבְרוֹן (Chevrōn). Meaning "alliance" or "association." It was an ancient city, originally called Kirjath Arba (Jos 14:15), named after Arba, the father of the Anakim, fearsome giants. It held significant historical and religious importance as the burial place of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Rebekah, and Leah (Gen 23:2, Gen 49:29-32). Later, it became a city of refuge and a Levitical city, underlining its sanctity and strategic importance. Its granting to Caleb underscores God's ability to give a chosen one dominion even over places previously occupied by powerful enemies.
- therefore: Indicates a direct consequence. The grant of Hebron to Caleb is a direct result of the action stated immediately after it.
- belongs to Caleb son of Jephunneh: Specifies the recipient of the land, affirming a personal, enduring inheritance. Caleb, an exceptional figure, is singled out among his generation.
- the Kenizzite: Hebrew: הַקְּנִזִּי (haqqenizzi). This designation is significant. The Kenizzites were a clan associated with Edom (Gen 36:11, 15), possibly suggesting a non-Israelite lineage, or at least a distinct clan incorporated into the tribe of Judah (1 Chr 2:18, 42). If of non-Israelite origin, Caleb's full adoption and esteemed position within Israel, culminating in a promised inheritance, highlights that true adherence to YHWH, rather than strict bloodline alone, determined one's place and blessing in the covenant community. His story foreshadows the inclusivity of God's people based on faith.
- to this day: A common editorial note in the historical books of the Old Testament. It signifies the lasting, perpetual nature of the event or fact being stated, authenticating the narrative for the audience contemporary to the time of writing/compilation of Joshua. It assures the reader that Caleb’s inheritance of Hebron was a permanent and recognized reality.
- because: Signals the direct cause and divine reason for Caleb's unique reward. This single word encapsulates the theology of faithful obedience leading to blessing.
- he wholly followed: Hebrew: מָלֵא אַחֲרֵי יְהוָה (mālē' 'aḥărê YHWH). This phrase literally means "filled after the Lord" or "was full after the Lord," conveying complete, unreserved, and unwavering allegiance. It signifies single-minded devotion, with no reservation, hesitation, or turning aside. This spiritual disposition contrasts sharply with the "whole assembly" who rebelled in the wilderness (Num 14:1-4). Caleb's obedience was not partial or circumstantial; it was complete and continuous, fueled by profound faith in God's power and promises despite formidable obstacles (like the Anakim). This deep trust distinguished him from his peers.
- the Lord, the God of Israel: Hebrew: יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל (YHWH Elohei Yisrael). This full title specifies the covenant God of Israel, YHWH, reinforcing that Caleb's faithfulness was not directed towards a generic deity, but towards the specific, revealed God of His people, the One who made the promises and empowered His servants. It emphasizes the covenantal relationship and Caleb's fidelity within that unique bond.
Joshua 14 14 Bonus section
- Caleb's Age and Strength: The fact that Caleb was 85 years old and still strong enough to undertake a formidable military campaign against the Anakim (Jos 14:11) powerfully illustrates that God empowers those who follow Him wholeheartedly, regardless of age or apparent limitations. His strength was a physical manifestation of his spiritual vitality.
- God's Remembering and Fulfilling: This verse, and indeed the entire account of Caleb's inheritance, highlights God's perfect memory and unwavering commitment to His promises. The promise made by Moses (and by implication, YHWH) some 45 years prior (Num 14:24) was meticulously fulfilled. This reinforces the trustworthiness of God's word.
- Inclusivity through Faith: Caleb being potentially a Kenizzite by background (a non-Israelite lineage) yet being granted a prominent inheritance through faith demonstrates God's focus on one's heart allegiance rather than merely tribal or birthright purity. This principle echoes throughout the Scriptures, indicating that anyone who "wholly follows the Lord" can be brought into God's rich blessings and covenant inheritance.
Joshua 14 14 Commentary
Joshua 14:14 succinctly encapsulates a core biblical principle: complete faithfulness to the Lord results in tangible blessings and fulfilled promises. Caleb's story serves as a potent illustration of God's covenant loyalty. Despite being 85 years old, he remained as vigorous in spirit and strength as when he was 40, ready to undertake the challenging task of conquering Hebron from the Anakim giants. This enduring strength and courage were a direct consequence and testament to his "wholly following" the Lord, meaning his wholehearted, undivided, and persistent devotion. Unlike his generation who fell in the wilderness due to unbelief and partial obedience, Caleb walked in full confidence of God's word. His inheritance of Hebron was not merely a territorial gain, but a visible sign of divine approval, a testimony to future generations that genuine faith is eternally rewarded by a faithful God.