Joshua 14:15
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)
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The verse notes that the land "had rest from war" right after mentioning the city's former name and its giant inhabitant. This juxtaposition isn't just a historical detail; it highlights that peace and rest were the direct result of facing and taking possession of the formidable challenges, rather than an absence of them.
This verse comes right after Caleb, a faithful spy from decades earlier, boldly claims the challenging hill country of Hebron based on God's promise. It's part of the crucial process where Joshua and the elders begin dividing the Promised Land among the tribes after the initial military conquest, a time when the land itself finally experiences peace from constant warfare.
Why does the Bible pause to tell us the old name of Hebron and who Arba was? It’s more than just historical trivia.
In Joshua 14:15, we see two names for the same significant city: Hebron and Kiriath-arba. The text immediately explains that Kiriath-arba means 'city of Arba,' and Arba was 'the greatest man among the Anakim.'
Echoes of Giants
A New Identity
This practice of renaming places highlights God's action in history, where His people take possession of land previously held by adversaries, symbolizing His sovereignty.
Caleb famously requested the challenging hill country of Hebron. What does his bold request reveal about his character and God's faithfulness?
The account of Caleb's request for Hebron, nestled within the broader context of land division in Joshua 14, offers a powerful lesson about faith and its divine reward.
A Promise Kept
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 verse highlights the cessation of war and the beginning of inheritance, marking a pivotal moment of rest after years of conflict and wandering, where faithful promises from decades prior are finally fulfilled.
c. 1446 BC
Israelites Leave Egypt
The exodus marks the beginning of the Israelites' journey toward the Promised Land, a journey that would include significant periods of wandering and conquest.
c. 1406 BC
Spies Sent to Canaan
Moses sends twelve spies to scout the land of Canaan. Caleb is among them. Their report, except for Caleb and Joshua, instills fear in the Israelites about the land and its inhabitants, particularly the Anakim.
c. 1406 BC
Promise to Caleb
Following the negative report of the spies, God declares that the fearful generation will not enter the Promised Land. Moses relays God's promise to Caleb that he, because of his faithfulness, will inherit the land he scouted.
c. 1405-1366 BC
Wilderness Wandering
The Israelites wander in the desert for 40 years due to their disobedience. During this time, Caleb remains faithful and waits for the fulfillment of God's promise.
This passage introduces the Anakim and the land of Hebron, establishing the historical context for the Anakim's significant presence in the region before the Israelite conquest.
Joshua 11:23This verse also notes that Joshua took all the land and that it had rest from war, reinforcing the idea that the conquest was largely complete, setting the stage for the division of land and the mention of peace.
Deuteronomy 1:36This verse directly references Moses' promise to Caleb that he would inherit the land he trod upon, highlighting the divine basis for Caleb's claim to Hebron.
1 Chronicles 2:42This passage lists the descendants of Caleb, further contextualizing his lineage and his connection to the area of Hebron, mentioning his son or grandson being named Heber.
Nehemiah 11:4This verse confirms that after the division of the land, descendants of Judah, including those associated with Hebron, settled in the area, showing the long-term impact of this inheritance.
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 notes that the land "had rest from war" right after mentioning the city's former name and its giant inhabitant. This juxtaposition isn't just a historical detail; it highlights that peace and rest were the direct result of facing and taking possession of the formidable challenges, rather than an absence of them.
This verse comes right after Caleb, a faithful spy from decades earlier, boldly claims the challenging hill country of Hebron based on God's promise. It's part of the crucial process where Joshua and the elders begin dividing the Promised Land among the tribes after the initial military conquest, a time when the land itself finally experiences peace from constant warfare.
This verse comes right after Caleb, a faithful spy from decades earlier, boldly claims the challenging hill country of Hebron based on God's promise. It's part of the crucial process where Joshua and the elders begin dividing the Promised Land among the tribes after the initial military conquest, a time when the land itself finally experiences peace from constant warfare.
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The Bold Request
Divine Recognition
The verse ends with a simple statement: 'And the land had rest from war.' What does this profound peace signify after years of intense conflict?
The concluding phrase of Joshua 14:15, 'And the land had rest from war,' is more than just a historical marker; it’s a theological statement about God's provision and the culmination of His promises.
A Hard-Won Peace
Implications for Settling
A Glimpse of God's Plan
c. 1366 BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites cross the Jordan River and begin the military conquest of Canaan, defeating various kingdoms and cities.
c. 1366 BC
Division of the Land Begins
After the initial widespread conquest, the land is divided by lot among the tribes. This process includes significant battles and the dislodging of native populations.
c. 1366 BC— this verse
Caleb Claims His Inheritance
Caleb, now 85 years old, approaches Joshua to claim the mountain of Hebron, as promised by Moses. He successfully receives Hebron, which was formerly known as Kiriath-arba and inhabited by the formidable Anakim, and the land enters a period of relative peace.
"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 notes that the land "had rest from war" right after mentioning the city's former name and its giant inhabitant. This juxtaposition isn't just a historical detail; it highlights that peace a…
