Joshua 14

When they were to divide the land on his side Jordan , v.1. Caleb instanced , that the land of Hebron was promised by Moseh , 6. When he was returned from spying the land , putting courage into the people , 7. Josua giveth unto Caleb the land which he requested , 13.

1. Now this [viz. that which is rehearsed in the five following Chapters] is that which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan , which Eleazer the Priest , and Josua the son of Nun , and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel , [i.e. the chief fathers of the children of Israel ; These men , who were to be overseers of the dividing of the land , were formerly appointed of God , and their names expressed in Moseh his time , Num.34.19.] caused them to inherit ;

2. By the lot of their inheritance , as the LORD had commanded by the ministry [Heb. the hand] of Moseh , touching the nine tribes , and the half tribe . [viz. the half tribe of Manasseh .]

3. For unto the two tribes , and to the half tribe had Moseh given an inheritance on the other side of Jordan : but unto the Levites had he given no inheritance among them [Heb. in the midst of them .]

4. For the children of Joseph were two tribes , Manasseh and Ephraim : and unto the Levits they gave no share in the land , but cities to dwell in , and their [viz. cities] suburbs for their cattel , and for their possession .

5. According as the LORD had commanded Moseh , so did the children of Israel ; and they divided the land . [Not actually , but according to the order which they formed in their minde , or by themselves . So Genesis 37:21. it is said , He delivered him ; i.e. He purposed , or endeavoured to deliver him . So also Exodus 12:48. And they keep the passover ; i.e. will keep.]

6. Then the children of Juda drew near unto Josua [viz. to assist Caleb, who was of their tribe , in the furthering of his right and inheritance which was promised him] at Gilgal , [it seemeth , that his division was made when the Camp , or the Tent or Tabernacle was yet at Gilgal ; nthe other divisions were made at Silo , whither the Tent or Tabernacle was brought from Gilgal , as is related here below , chapter 16.] and Caleb the son of Jephunne the Kenesite , said unto him , Thou knowest the word which the Lord spake unto Moseh the man of God [see Judg.13. on ver.6.] at Kardes-barnea , concerning me and concerning thee.

7. I was fourty years old [a son of fourty years : so also ver. 10.] when Moseh the servant of the LORDsent me out from Kades-barnea to spy out the land : and I brought him answer according as it was in mine heart .[i.e. as I knew to be true in mine heart , viz. that God would bring us into the land of Canaan .]

8. But my brethren [i.e. my Countrey men , understanding the ten Spies that were sent out with him] that went out with him , made the peoples heart to melt , [i.e. they daunted and discouraged the heart of the people] but I held on to follow after the LORD my God . [Heb. I fulfilled after the Lord . So also v. 9. & 14. See Numb. 14. v. 24.]

9. Then Moseh sware on that day [Without doubt by Gods command and instinct . Compare the Oath of God , Numb. 14. 21,24.] saying , If the land whereon thy foot hath troden shall not be thine , and thy childrens for an inheritance for ever ! [See Gen. 14. on v. 23 . and the perfect sentence , Jos. 22, 22. and 1 Samuel 24:22. and 25.22.] Forasmuch as thou hast held on to follow after the LORD my God ,

10. And now [This was the seventh year after the Israelites were come into the land of Canaan] behold , the LORD hath kept me alive , according as he hath spoken : it is now five and fourty year since that the LORD spake this word unto Moseh , when Israel walked in the wilderness : And now behold I am this day fourscore and five year old . [Heb. a son of fourscore and five year.]

11. I am yet as strong this day , as I was that day when Moseh sent me out : as my strength was then , so is my strength now for the war , and to go out , and to come in . [See Deut. 31. v. 2.]

12. And now give me this mountain [i.e. this hilly country , viz. the mountain of Juda, whereon the City Hebron lay] whereof the LORD spake on that day : for thou hast said it on that very day that the Anakims were there , and that there were great fenced Cities , if the LORD would be with me , to drive them out , according as the LORD hath spoken . [hence may be gathered , that Caleb made this request unto Josua , before the land of Canaan was wholly subdued , notwithstanding that that Chap.10.36,37. is related , that Josua took and destroyed Hebron .]

13. Then Josua blessed him , [i.e. he granted him his request , and he wished him all happiness and prosperity therewith] and he gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunne Hebron for an inheritance .

14. Therefore Hebron [Understand this not so much of the City of Hebron ( for it was a City of Refuge , and belonged to the Levites ) as of the country , villages and towns lying round about . See Jos. 21. v.11, 12. and 1 Chronicles 5.56.] became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunne the Kenesite , unto this day ; because he had held on to follow after the LORD God of Israel .

15. Now the name of Hebron was heretofore Kiriath-Arba , [Many are of opinion , that Kiriath-Arba came to be called Hebron , from Hebron the son of Caleb , which 1 Chronicles 2:21. is called , The father of Hebron] which [Arba is the name of a man , from whom that city was called] had been a great man among the Anakims : [great, in respect as well of his power and authority , as of the greatness of his body : and , great among the Anakims ; i.e, the greatest among them . So likewise Luke 1:28.] And the land rested from war , [to wit , after that Josua had given the city Hebron unto Caleb, and Caleb had taken the same ; but not at that time whe Caleb requested of the same from Josua , ver.12. for at that time Hebron, and much of the land , was yet to be subdued .]