Joshua 15:13-19

The Request of Achsah, Daughter of Caleb

13. And unto Caleb This section, from Joshua 15:13-19, is repeated with slight alterations almost verbatim in Judges 1:10-20. The two sections are probably derived from a common source. As occurring here the verses are intended to complete the history of the division of the land amongst the tribes. As Caleb had brought forward his claims to the possession of Hebron, before the casting of the lots commenced, and those claims had been admitted by Joshua, it was quite in order for the author, when giving here the list of the cities assigned to the tribe of Judah, to refer especially to the portion which Caleb had received, not by lot, but in fulfilment of the Divine promise made to him by Moses, and at the same time to record how fully his hopes had been fulfilled of driving out the Anakims, and thus securing the undisputed possession of Hebron and its vicinity to himself and his descendants. Keil's Commentary.

he gave i. e. Joshua, by the command of Jehovah. For "the city of Arba" see above, ch. Joshua 14:15.