Caleb doesn't just ask for a mountain; he specifically requests the "hill country" because it was known to be a formidable stronghold of the giants. His declaration, "It may be that the LORD will be with me," isn't a sign of doubt, but rather an humble acknowledgment that victory hinges entirely on God's presence and power, not his own strength.
So now give me this hill country of which the LORD spoke on that day, for you heard on that day how the Anakim were there, with great fortified cities. It may be that the LORD will be with me, and I shall drive them out just as the LORD said.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Israelites are in the process of dividing the promised land, with Joshua and Eleazar overseeing the distribution by lot. Caleb, a faithful elder who spied out the land forty-five years earlier, steps forward to claim his inheritance. He reminds Joshua of a specific promise God made through Moses, granting him the hill country of Hebron, despite its fearsome inhabitants, the Anakim.
Forty-five years. That's a long time to wait for a promise. What does it take to hold onto God's word through so many years of wandering and waiting?
Caleb's request isn't out of the blue. He's reminding Joshua of a specific promise God made through Moses, stemming all the way back to when Caleb and Joshua were spies in Canaan.
The Anakim were giants, their cities fortresses. Most Israelites saw them as insurmountable obstacles. Why would Caleb, at 85, ask for the hardest part of the land?
Caleb’s request for the 'mountain'—the hill country around Hebron—is remarkable. This wasn't just any territory; it was known to be inhabited by the formidable Anakim, giants with 'great fortified cities.'
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Understand the original words
har · Hebrew Noun
A specific region of mountainous terrain; biblically, it often represents a challenging area requiring faith and effort to possess, serving as a site for spiritual warfare or dwelling.
Anaqiy · Hebrew Noun
An ancient group of people noted for their unusual height and physical power; they represent the formidable obstacles to faith that God promises to help His people overcome.
Caleb's bold request highlights that the division of land wasn't just about surveying conquered territory, but also about claiming and possessing God's promises, even in the face of daunting challenges like the fortified cities of the Anakim.
~1406 BC
Israelites Enter Canaan
Following Moses' death, Joshua leads the Israelites across the Jordan River, marking the beginning of their conquest of Canaan.
~1406-1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan
Joshua leads a series of military campaigns, conquering significant portions of Canaan, including cities and the southern region where the Anakim resided.
c. 1400 BC
Initial Distribution of Land
After the main conquest, the land is distributed by lot to the nine and a half tribes, with Joshua, Eleazar, and tribal leaders overseeing the process. Some areas, like the hill country of Hebron, may have been subdued but not fully settled.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Caleb Claims Hebron
Caleb, now 85 years old, approaches Joshua to claim the mountainous region of Hebron, as promised to him by Moses forty-five years prior due to his faithfulness as a spy.
c. 1399 BC
Caleb Drives Out Anakim
Caleb, with God's help, successfully drives out the Anakim from the Hebron region, fulfilling the promise and demonstrating faith in God's power.
c. 1399 BC
Hebron Assigned to Caleb
Hebron is officially given to Caleb and his descendants as his inheritance, marking a significant fulfillment of God's promises and Caleb's faithfulness.
This passage describes the spies' initial report about Hebron and the Anakim, setting the stage for Caleb's later request and faith.
Deuteronomy 1:36Moses recounts God's promise to Caleb that he would inherit the land where his feet had trodden, directly linking to Caleb's claim in Joshua.
Joshua 15:13This verse directly follows, detailing how Joshua granted Caleb Hebron, confirming the fulfillment of Caleb's request and God's promise.
Hebrews 4:14This New Testament passage highlights Caleb as an example of faithfulness to God's promises, contrasting with the unbelief of the other spies.
calvinJoshua 14:1-15: "And these are the countries which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed for inheritance to them."
- And these are the countries which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed for…
gillJoshua 14:12: "Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said."
Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the Lord spake in that day,.... The mountainous part of the country, the hill country of Judea, in which Hebron, Debir, and other cities were; for it was not one particula…
Caleb doesn't just ask for a mountain; he specifically requests the "hill country" because it was known to be a formidable stronghold of the giants. His declaration, "It may be that the LORD will be with me," isn't a sign of doubt, but rather an humble acknowledgment that victory hinges entirely on God's presence and power, not his own strength.
The Israelites are in the process of dividing the promised land, with Joshua and Eleazar overseeing the distribution by lot. Caleb, a faithful elder who spied out the land forty-five years earlier, steps forward to claim his inheritance. He reminds Joshua of a specific promise God made through Moses, granting him the hill country of Hebron, despite its fearsome inhabitants, the Anakim.
The Israelites are in the process of dividing the promised land, with Joshua and Eleazar overseeing the distribution by lot. Caleb, a faithful elder who spied out the land forty-five years earlier, steps forward to claim his inheritance. He reminds Joshua of a specific promise God made through Moses, granting him the hill country of Hebron, despite its fearsome inhabitants, the Anakim.
"So now give me this hill country of which the LORD spoke on that day, for you heard on that day how the Anakim were there, with great fortified cities. It may be that the LORD will be with me, and I shall drive them out just as the LORD sa…" — Caleb doesn't just ask for a mountain; he specifically requests the "hill country" because it was known to be a formidable stronghold of the giants. His declaration, "It may be that the LORD will be…
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Last reviewed October 2026
