Joshua 15 13

Joshua 15:13 kjv

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.

Joshua 15:13 nkjv

Now to Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a share among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, namely, Kirjath Arba, which is Hebron (Arba was the father of Anak).

Joshua 15:13 niv

In accordance with the LORD's command to him, Joshua gave to Caleb son of Jephunneh a portion in Judah?Kiriath Arba, that is, Hebron. (Arba was the forefather of Anak.)

Joshua 15:13 esv

According to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, he gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh a portion among the people of Judah, Kiriath-arba, that is, Hebron (Arba was the father of Anak).

Joshua 15:13 nlt

The LORD commanded Joshua to assign some of Judah's territory to Caleb son of Jephunneh. So Caleb was given the town of Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), which had been named after Anak's ancestor.

Joshua 15 verses

Joshua 15 13 Meaning

This verse states that Joshua, following a direct command from the LORD, allocated Hebron (also known as Kirjath Arba) to Caleb, the son of Jephunneh. This portion was given to Caleb within the territory of the tribe of Judah. It clarifies that Arba was the renowned father of the Anakim, who were giants dwelling in the land, underscoring the formidable nature of the land Caleb was granted.

Joshua 15 13 Context

Joshua chapter 15 details the tribal allotment for the descendants of Judah, the largest and most prominent tribe among Israel. It meticulously describes Judah's boundaries, extending from the Dead Sea in the east, encompassing the Negev in the south, stretching to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, and bordering Benjamin and Dan to the north. Within this vast territory, specific cities and regions were assigned. Verse 13, in particular, focuses on a unique, divinely appointed grant: the city of Hebron (Kirjath Arba) to Caleb.

Historically, this event occurs after the initial conquest of Canaan under Joshua's leadership and during the period of land distribution. Caleb's special inheritance harks back over forty years earlier to the Israelites' first encampment at Kadesh Barnea (Numbers 13-14, Deuteronomy 1). At that time, when twelve spies were sent into Canaan, only Caleb and Joshua returned with a confident report, urging Israel to trust God and take the land despite the presence of formidable giants, the Anakim. While the other ten spies instilled fear and led to the generation's forty-year wandering, Caleb "wholly followed the LORD," and for this faithfulness, God personally promised him the very land his feet had trodden upon – the territory of Hebron, then occupied by the Anakim. Thus, Joshua 15:13 marks the fulfillment of a long-standing divine promise, rewarding exceptional faith with a formidable challenge within a promised inheritance.

Joshua 15 13 Word analysis

• According to the commandment of the LORD:
  • `על פי` (`al pi`): Hebrew literally translates to "by the mouth of" or "according to the mouth." This phrase emphasizes direct, verbal instruction or divine decree, not merely a general guideline. It underlines the divine authority behind Joshua's action, signaling that this was not Joshua's personal discretion but an act of obedience to God's specific command concerning Caleb. This elevates the significance of the promise's fulfillment.
  • of the LORD (יהוה - Yahweh): Refers to the covenant God of Israel, highlighting the sacred, binding, and personal nature of the command and promise.
  • to Joshua: Signifies that Joshua, as Israel's leader, was the direct recipient and executor of this divine instruction, fulfilling his role in distributing the promised land according to God's will.
• he gave: Refers to Joshua as the active agent, distributing the land. It denotes the formal legal transfer of the inheritance, aligning with the pattern of land division that followed.
• to Caleb the son of Jephunneh:
  • Caleb (כָּלֵב): His name is often linked to `כלב` (kélev), meaning "dog," implying devotion or faithfulness, fitting his character. Alternatively, it could be a variant of `לב` (lev), "heart," denoting wholeheartedness. Caleb's identifying title as "the Kenizzite" (elsewhere, e.g., Josh 14:6) clarifies his distinct lineage, though he was incorporated into the tribe of Judah for tribal allotments. His consistent faith (Numbers 14:24) over forty years is paramount to his unique reward.
  • the son of Jephunneh: A standard way of identifying individuals in ancient Near Eastern society, signifying his patriarchal lineage and family identity.
• a portion among the children of Judah:
  • This indicates that Caleb's inheritance was not an independent, extra-tribal grant, but was carved out from and legally registered within the larger territory of the prominent tribe of Judah. This acknowledges the structured division of land by tribal lots while highlighting Caleb's specific, unique place within that structure due to divine promise. Judah, as the tribe from which kings (like David and ultimately Christ) would come, also gives added significance to Caleb's portion.
• namely, Kirjath Arba:
  • Kirjath Arba (קִרְיַת אַרְבַּע - Qiryat ʼArbaʻ): Meaning "City of Four" or "City of Arba." This name primarily refers to the pre-Israelite, Canaanite name for Hebron, highlighting its historical identity and its connection to its founder or chief figure. The reference to Arba immediately brings to mind the formidable Anakim.
• which Arba was the father of Anak:
  • Arba (אַרְבַּע - ʼArbaʻ): Identified as the ancestral figure and leader of the Anakim, known for their immense size and strength. His name defines the city and hints at the challenge it posed.
  • Anak (עָנָק - ʻAnaq): Means "neck" or "giant." This term refers to the progenitor or family group of giants, the Anakim (Num 13:22, 28-33; Deut 1:28). Their presence was a major psychological barrier to the Israelites entering Canaan, making Caleb's willingness to face them a testament to his exceptional faith. By mentioning Arba's relation to Anak, the text subtly emphasizes the extraordinary courage and faith required of Caleb, highlighting God's faithfulness in enabling His people to conquer what seemed impossible.
• that is Hebron:
  • Hebron (חֶבְרוֹן - Ḥebrōn): Means "confederacy," "association," or "friendship." This is the common, perhaps original, and certainly more well-known name for the city during the time of the Israelites. It clarifies the location for the readers. Hebron held immense historical and religious significance as a patriarchal dwelling place and burial site (Gen 13:18, Gen 23, Gen 35:27). The transition of names (Kirjath Arba to Hebron, or acknowledging both) often reflects cultural shifts and new ownership, here indicating Israelite dominion over a former giant stronghold.

Joshua 15 13 Bonus section

• Hebron's Unique Dual Status: Beyond being Caleb's personal inheritance, Hebron later received two significant designations. It was designated a City of Refuge for accidental manslayers (Joshua 20:7; 21:13) and also one of the Levitical Cities for the descendants of Aaron (Joshua 21:10-13). This meant that while belonging to Judah and Caleb's family, it also served a critical purpose for the entire nation, offering refuge and a dwelling for priests who administered justice and taught God's law. This highlights God's layered purpose for certain strategic locations within the promised land.
• Patriarchal Significance: Hebron, known also as Mamre, holds deep significance as a dwelling place and burial site for the patriarchs. Abraham sojourned there (Gen 13:18), and the cave of Machpelah in Hebron served as the burial site for Sarah (Gen 23), Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, and Jacob (Gen 49:30-32; 50:13). This connection adds immense spiritual and historical weight to Caleb's inheritance, linking him to the very roots of God's covenant with Israel.
• Caleb's Continued Valour: This verse lays the groundwork for Joshua 15:14-15, where Caleb, despite his advanced age of 85, personally drives out the three most prominent Anakim descendants from Hebron – Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai. This active conquest underlines his unwavering faith and strength in the Lord, showing that his claim was not passive but required his diligent effort, truly "inheriting by faith."

Joshua 15 13 Commentary

Joshua 15:13 is a powerful testament to God's faithfulness and the reward for unwavering faith. It marks the formal fulfillment of a divine promise made decades earlier to Caleb because of his courageous stand and wholehearted obedience to the LORD, despite overwhelming opposition and fear from his peers. This was not a general land grant, but a specific and direct commandment from God, demonstrating divine intentionality and precise execution of promises. By explicitly naming Hebron as "Kirjath Arba" and mentioning Arba as "the father of Anak," the text emphasizes the extraordinary challenge Caleb willingly embraced – confronting the most fearsome giants known to the Israelites. God rewarded Caleb's faith, not with an easy inheritance, but with a mighty one that still required bold action to possess, reflecting the truth that true spiritual inheritance often involves active participation in overcoming obstacles. It serves as an enduring reminder that those who "wholly follow the LORD" will see God's promises to them realized, even years later, and in the face of what seems insurmountable.