Now the name of Hebron formerly was Kiriath-arba. (Arba was the greatest man among the Anakim.) And the land had rest from war.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse mentions Hebron's former name, Kiriath-arba, and clarifies that "Arba was the greatest man among the Anakim." This detail isn't just historical trivia; it highlights how the land's very geography held the stories of its formidable, pre-Israelite inhabitants, underscoring the challenge Caleb embraced and the significance of claiming territory previously dominated by giants.
Now the name of Hebron formerly was Kiriath-arba. (Arba was the greatest man among the Anakim.) And the land had rest from war.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse appears during the division of the promised land among the tribes of Israel. It immediately follows Caleb's bold request for the challenging hill country of Hebron, based on a promise made to him by God forty-five years prior. The mention of Hebron's former name and its great inhabitants underscores the difficulty of Caleb's request, right before the narrative shifts to the land finally experiencing peace after years of warfare.
Why does the text pause to tell us Hebron's old name and the story of Arba? It's more than just a place name; it speaks volumes about the struggle for this land.
Joshua 14:15 begins by stating, 'Now the name of Hebron formerly was Kiriath-arba.' This isn't just an old name; it's a marker of history and the people who lived there.
A Giant's Legacy
'Arba was the greatest man among the Anakim.' The Anakim were a formidable people, often described as giants. Their presence in Hebron (Kiriath-arba, meaning 'city of Arba') represented a significant obstacle and a symbol of the formidable challenges the Israelites faced in taking the Promised Land.
The commentators agree: Arba was a prominent figure, possibly a patriarch or a powerful leader among the Anakim. His name being attached to the city underscored the strength and established presence of those who occupied it. It was a name that likely instilled fear and represented a deep-rooted resistance.
The verse ends with a powerful, almost understated statement: 'And the land had rest from war.' What does this brief phrase truly signify after decades of wandering and intense conquest?
The concluding phrase, 'And the land had rest from war,' is a moment of profound relief and a testament to God's faithfulness.
A Divine Pause
This wasn't just a temporary lull; it marked the end of active, widespread conflict for the land itself. After years of wandering in the wilderness and a grueling campaign of conquest under Joshua, the land was finally quieted. This peace allowed for the crucial next step: the division and settlement of the land among the tribes.
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The commentators note the significance of this statement. It appears after the account of Joshua's major victories (Joshua 11:23) and reappears here just as the land is being distributed. This placement emphasizes that the distribution and inheritance of the land were made possible only because the battles had been won and the land was secured. It’s the reward for faithfulness and the fruit of God’s power working through His people.
Understand the original words
shaqat · Hebrew Verb
The state of peace following the cessation of conflict; in Scripture, it often refers to the condition of blessing and stability that comes when God has fulfilled His promises to give the land.
The phrase 'the land had rest from war' signifies a crucial pause after years of intense conflict. This peace, hard-won through divine aid and valiant effort, allows for the critical task of dividing the inheritance, highlighting how God's promises are fulfilled through both His power and the faithful actions of His people.
c. 1446 BC
Israelites enter Canaan
After 40 years of wandering in the desert, the Israelites cross the Jordan River and begin their conquest of the Promised Land.
c. 1446 BC
Caleb spies out Canaan
Caleb, along with ten other spies, explores the land of Canaan. Caleb's faithful report encourages the people, while the others incite fear.
c. 1446 BC
Moses promises Hebron to Caleb
Moses confirms God's promise that Caleb will inherit the land he scouted, particularly the challenging mountainous region of Hebron, due to his faithful report.
c. 1406 BC
Joshua leads conquest of Canaan
Joshua takes command after Moses' death and leads the Israelites in a widespread military campaign across Canaan, defeating numerous kings and peoples.
c. 1406 BC
Major battles conclude
Joshua has subdued the southern and northern regions of Canaan, defeating many kings and removing most of the major opposition. The land is largely pacified.
c. 1405 BC— this verse
Caleb claims his inheritance
Caleb, now 85 years old, requests his promised inheritance of Hebron from Joshua. He faces the giant Anakim inhabitants, confident in God's continued promise and power.
c. 1405 BC
Division of the land begins
With the major conquest complete and the land mostly subdued, Joshua and Eleazar begin the process of dividing the remaining territory among the tribes by lot.
This passage directly links Hebron to the Anakim, mentioning that it was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt, reinforcing the historical significance and the formidable presence of its former inhabitants.
Deuteronomy 1:36This verse echoes Caleb's faithfulness, with Moses recalling God's promise to give him and his descendants the land he trod upon, laying the groundwork for his inheritance in Hebron.
Joshua 11:23This verse establishes the broader context of the conquest, noting that Joshua took all the land and that the land finally had rest from war after years of conflict, which sets the stage for land distribution.
Judges 1:10This passage shows that after Joshua's death, Judah specifically attacked and conquered Hebron, and that Caleb drove out the three sons of Anak, highlighting the fulfillment of Caleb's faith and courage.
Genesis 23:2This verse shows that Hebron (called Kiriath-arba at the time) was already a significant city where Abraham purchased a burial place for Sarah, indicating its ancient importance and establishment before the Israelite conquest.
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…
bensonJoshua 14:15: "And the name of Hebron before was Kirjatharba; which Arba was a great man among the Anakims. And the land had rest from war."
Joshua 14:15 . Arba was a great man, &c. — In stature, and strength, and dignity, and authority, as being the progenitor of Anak, the father of those famous giants called Anakims.
The verse mentions Hebron's former name, Kiriath-arba, and clarifies that "Arba was the greatest man among the Anakim." This detail isn't just historical trivia; it highlights how the land's very geography held the stories of its formidable, pre-Israelite inhabitants, underscoring the challenge Caleb embraced and the significance of claiming territory previously dominated by giants.
This verse appears during the division of the promised land among the tribes of Israel. It immediately follows Caleb's bold request for the challenging hill country of Hebron, based on a promise made to him by God forty-five years prior. The mention of Hebron's former name and its great inhabitants underscores the difficulty of Caleb's request, right before the narrative shifts to the land finally experiencing peace after years of warfare.
This verse appears during the division of the promised land among the tribes of Israel. It immediately follows Caleb's bold request for the challenging hill country of Hebron, based on a promise made to him by God forty-five years prior. The mention of Hebron's former name and its great inhabitants underscores the difficulty of Caleb's request, right before the narrative shifts to the land finally experiencing peace after years of warfare.
"Now the name of Hebron formerly was Kiriath-arba. (Arba was the greatest man among the Anakim.) And the land had rest from war." — The verse mentions Hebron's former name, Kiriath-arba, and clarifies that "Arba was the greatest man among the Anakim." This detail isn't just historical trivia; it highlights how the land's very geo…
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Last reviewed October 2026