Joshua 14:13

_AND JOSHUA BLESSED HIM, AND GAVE UNTO CALEB THE SON OF JEPHUNNEH HEBRON FOR AN INHERITANCE._ Joshua blessed him, and gave ... Hebron. Joshua, who was fully cognizant of the whole circumstances, not only admitted the claim, but in a public and earnest manner prayed for the divine blessing to succour the efforts of Caleb in driving out the idolatrous occupiers....

13._And Joshua blessed him_, etc He prayed thus earnestly to show the delight he felt. For it was expedient by way of example to extol his valor, by which others might be incited to surmount all their fears. For it was just as if he had gained an eminence from which he could look down upon the giants. The blessing of Caleb, therefore, includes in it praise which may have the effect of an exhortation to the people. In the end of the chapter it is said, that the name of Hebron was Ciriath-Arba, (Kirjath-Arba.) Here it is to be observed, that it is not the mountain itself that is meant, but the principal city, of which there is frequent mention in Scripture. It is said to have received the surname from a giant famous for his stature. And this refutes the imagination of those expositors who insist that it was so called from having been the burial-place of four patriarchs — Adam, Abraham, Isa...

6-15 Caleb's request is, "Give me this mountain," or Hebron, because it was formerly in God's promise to him, and he would let Israel knows how much he valued the promise. Those who live by faith value that which is given by God's promise, far above what is given by his providence only. It was now in the Anakims' possession, and Caleb would let Israel know how little he feared the enemy, and that he would encourage them to push on their conquests. Caleb answered to his name, which signifies "all heart." Hebron was settled on Caleb and his heirs, because he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel. Happy are we if we follow him. Singular piety shall be crowned with singular favour....

Verse Joshua 14:13. _JOSHUA BLESSED HIM_] As the word _bless_ often signifies to _speak good_ or _well of_ or _to_ any person, (Genesis 2:3), here it may mean the _praise_ bestowed on Caleb's intrepidity and faithfulness by Joshua, as well as a _prayer_ to God that he might have prosperity in all things; and especially that the Lord might be _with him_, as himself had expressed in the preceding verse....

EXPOSITION JOSHUA 14:1 TRIBES. The word here for "tribes," in connection with the word "fathers," is the one which implies genealogical descent (see note on Joshua 13:29). ELEAZAR THE PRIEST, AND JOSHUA THE SON OF NUN, AND THE HEADS OF THE FATHERS OF THE TRIBES. A picture of national unity; the head of the Church, representing the religious aspect of the community; the head of the State, representing its civil aspect; the heads of the tribes, to signify the general assent of the body politic. A work so begun was likely to be satisfactorily carried out. And accordingly the distribution of the land, recognised as carried out according to the will of God, displayed no partiality, and excited no jealousies....

AND JOSHUA BLESSED HIM,.... By granting him his request, congratulating him upon it, and praying for and wishing him success in his attempt to drive out the giants, and possess their country: AND GAVE UNTO CALEB, THE SON OF JEPHUNNEH, HEBRON FOR AN INHERITANCE; being satisfied of the justness of his suit, of its being the will of God, and the order of Moses, that he should have this for an inheritance, which he had heard himself, had knowledge of, and well remembered: this is to be understood not of the city of Hebron itself, for that was given to the Levites, and was a city of refuge, but the country round about in the fields and villages annexed to it, as appears from Joshua 21:12....

2. CALEB'S REQUEST AND INHERITANCE CHAPTER 14 _ 1. The inheritance by lot (Joshua 14:1)_ 2. Caleb's request (Joshua 14:6) Judah's portion comes first, and as they draw near to Joshua to receive their inheritance by lot (See Proverbs 16:33 and Acts 1:26) at Gilgal (note the recurrence of this place and its significance), Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, steps to the front. It was not forwardness or love of the preeminence which led him to do this, but the burning zeal in that old, yet youthful soul. He comes to claim the inheritance, which forty-five years ago Moses had promised unto him. Caleb was eighty-five years old

The Possession of Caleb 6. _in Gilgal_ Where the casting of the lots commenced. _and Caleb the son of Jephunneh_ Caleb was a prince of the tribe of Judah, a descendant of Hezron, the son of Pharez, and grandson of Judah (1Ch 2:5; 1 Chronicles 2:18; 1 Chronicles 2:25). He is first mentioned in the list of the princes who were sent to search the land of Canaan in the second year of the Exodus (Numbers 13:6), and he and Joshua were the only two who on their return encouraged the Israelites to go up and take possession of the land. In the plague that ensued, these two alone were spared, and deemed worthy to enter the Promised Land ...

_VER._ 13. _AND JOSHUA BLESSED HIM_— Granted him the boon he desired, acknowledged his right to the country of Hebron, consented to his making a conquest of it, and entreated the Lord to favour him in his undertaking....

_Caleb's Inheritance Joshua 14:13-15_ 13 And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance. 14 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. 15 And the name of Hebron before was Kirjath-arba; which Arba was a great man among the Anakims. And the land had rest from war. _12._ What is known about Caleb's inheritance? Joshua 14:13 Caleb's inheritance was within the borders of the tribe of Judah (Joshua 15:13-19) and centered around the ancient city of Hebron, known from earlier times by the name of Kirjath-arba, Arba being a great m