According to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, he gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh a portion among the people of Judah, Kiriath-arba, that is, Hebron (Arba was the father of Anak).
English Standard Version (ESV)
While the verse states Joshua gave Hebron to Caleb based on God's command, it subtly highlights that this was an ancient, pre-ordained promise. The text emphasizes that Hebron was "the city of Arba the father of Anak," bringing to mind the formidable giants who had occupied the land for generations, making Caleb's inheritance a fulfillment of a promise made even before Anak's descendants had settled there. This detail underscores God's faithfulness and His sovereign plan for the land, even amidst powerful opposition.
According to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, he gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh a portion among the people of Judah, Kiriath-arba, that is, Hebron (Arba was the father of Anak).
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse highlights a specific allocation of land within the larger division of Judah's territory. It explains how Caleb, a faithful follower of God, received Hebron as his inheritance, a fulfillment of a promise made years earlier by Moses and confirmed by Joshua, underscoring that this was a direct command from the Lord.
Why was Caleb's inheritance special? It wasn't just assigned; it was ordained and claimed by faith.
Joshua 15:13 highlights a crucial aspect of the Israelite inheritance: it was not solely based on the 'lot' but also on divine command and faithful pursuit.
God's Word, Joshua's Action
The verse explicitly states that Caleb received Hebron 'according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua.' This underscores that Joshua wasn't just dividing land; he was executing God's specific instructions. God had promised Caleb this inheritance years earlier (Numbers 14:24) as a reward for his faithful report.
Faith's Claim on the Promise
While Joshua executed the command, Caleb had actively claimed this promise. We see this earlier in Joshua 14, where Caleb, at 85 years old, boldly asks for the mountainous region of Hebron, reminding Joshua of God's promise. This wasn't a passive receiving of land but an active, faith-filled request rooted in God's unchanging word.
Hebron wasn't just any city; it was a stronghold of the formidable Anakim. What does it mean that Caleb was given this formidable place?
The mention of Hebron as 'the city of Arba the father of Anak' is significant. The Anakim were giants, known for their intimidating stature and the fear they instilled in the Israelites (Numbers 13:33).
A Symbol of Fear
Possessing Hebron meant confronting these giants. For decades, it was a place associated with Israelite fear and doubt. Caleb's inheritance here isn't just about territory; it's about reclaiming ground that represented Israel's past failures and fears.
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God's Strength in Weakness
By giving Caleb this specific, challenging inheritance, God demonstrated His power to grant victory over the most daunting obstacles. It shows that God's promises are not always for the easiest paths, but for those that showcase His strength through His people. Caleb's successful possession of Hebron, despite its formidable inhabitants, became a testament to God's faithfulness and power.
Understand the original words
peh · Hebrew Noun
An authoritative decree or charge issued by a superior, specifically used to refer to the divine instructions given by God to His people or His appointed leaders.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal name of the one true God of Israel, revealing His covenantal character, faithfulness, and self-existence to His people.
cheleq · Hebrew Noun
A hereditary portion of land or position given by God to individuals or tribes as a fulfillment of His promises; it signifies belonging and security.
Anaq · Hebrew Proper Noun
Often referring to a legendary group of giants or formidable inhabitants in the land of Canaan, representing the significant obstacles and spiritual enemies that Israel had to overcome through faith and obedience to God.
This verse highlights God's faithfulness in fulfilling a promise made decades earlier, even amidst the ongoing military conquest and the division of land.
c. 1405 BC
Israelites Enter the Promised Land
After 40 years in the wilderness, Joshua leads the Israelites across the Jordan River into the land of Canaan, beginning the conquest.
c. 1405 BC
Caleb's Request for Hebron
During the initial stages of the conquest, Caleb, a faithful spy from the previous generation, asks Joshua for the mountainous region of Hebron, inhabited by the formidable Anakim.
c. 1400 BC
Division of the Land Begins
Following the conquest, Joshua begins the process of dividing the land west of the Jordan among the twelve tribes of Israel, with Judah receiving its portion first.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Joshua Grants Hebron to Caleb
As commanded by the LORD, Joshua officially grants Hebron and its surrounding territory to Caleb, fulfilling the promise made to him decades earlier.
After Joshua's Death (c. 1390 BC)
Judah Completes Conquest of Hebron
After Joshua's death, the tribe of Judah, led by Caleb, continues the effort to fully subdue Hebron and its inhabitants, the Anakim.
This verse names the Anakim, including descendants of Arba, in Hebron, setting the stage for Caleb's later conquest of this formidable city.
Deuteronomy 1:36Here, Moses prophesied that Caleb would inherit the land he had fully followed the LORD, directly foreshadowing Joshua's fulfillment of this promise.
Joshua 14:13-15This passage directly precedes and explains Joshua's granting of Hebron to Caleb, highlighting Caleb's faith and the land's inheritance based on God's command.
Judges 1:10-15This passage recounts the same event, showing Judah's conquest of Hebron after Caleb's initial claim, illustrating the ongoing fulfillment of God's promises through human action.
calvinJoshua 15:1-13: "This then was the lot of the tribe of the children of Judah by their families; even to the border of Edom the wilderness of Zin southward was the uttermost part of the south coast."
And it went out to the south side to Maalehacrabbim, and passed along to Zin, and ascended up on the south side unto Kadeshbarnea, and passed along to Hezron, and went up to Adar, and fetched a compass to Karkaa:
Et egreditur versus meridiem Maale-acrabim, et illinc transit in Sin: progredien…
gillJoshua 15:13: "And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, even the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron."
And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah,.... That is, Joshua gave it to him. This account is inserted before the cities in the lot of the tribe of Judah were enumerated, to show what was to be excepted from them, and which had been given to Caleb p…
While the verse states Joshua gave Hebron to Caleb based on God's command, it subtly highlights that this was an ancient, pre-ordained promise. The text emphasizes that Hebron was "the city of Arba the father of Anak," bringing to mind the formidable giants who had occupied the land for generations, making Caleb's inheritance a fulfillment of a promise made even before Anak's descendants had settled there. This detail underscores God's faithfulness and His sovereign plan for the land, even amidst powerful opposition.
This verse highlights a specific allocation of land within the larger division of Judah's territory. It explains how Caleb, a faithful follower of God, received Hebron as his inheritance, a fulfillment of a promise made years earlier by Moses and confirmed by Joshua, underscoring that this was a direct command from the Lord.
This verse highlights a specific allocation of land within the larger division of Judah's territory. It explains how Caleb, a faithful follower of God, received Hebron as his inheritance, a fulfillment of a promise made years earlier by Moses and confirmed by Joshua, underscoring that this was a direct command from the Lord.
"According to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, he gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh a portion among the people of Judah, Kiriath-arba, that is, Hebron (Arba was the father of Anak)." — While the verse states Joshua gave Hebron to Caleb based on God's command, it subtly highlights that this was an ancient, pre-ordained promise. The text emphasizes that Hebron was "the city of Arba t…
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Last reviewed October 2026