Judges 1:20
And Hebron was given to Caleb, as Moses had said. And he drove out from it the three sons of Anak.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
It's easy to read this as just another territorial claim, but the phrase "as Moses had said" is crucial. It highlights that this wasn't just a random land grab; it was the fulfillment of a specific promise God made through Moses to Caleb for his faithfulness forty years earlier. This verse reveals a God who remembers and rewards steadfast loyalty, even after a long wilderness journey.
This verse highlights that Hebron was specifically promised to Caleb, as Moses had declared long before. What's easily missed is that Caleb, despite being an older man and the promise being made years prior, personally expelled the formidable sons of Anak from the city. This wasn't just a passive receiving of a promised inheritance, but an active, courageous conquest, demonstrating Caleb's enduring faith and strength.
Have you ever held onto a promise for years, waiting for it to come true? Caleb's story is about enduring faith and a remarkable inheritance.
Caleb received Hebron as his inheritance because he was faithful to God's promise, even when it seemed impossible.
We all face 'giants' in our lives – challenges that seem too big to overcome. Caleb's victory over the Anakites offers powerful lessons.
The Anakites weren't just physical giants; they represented the formidable opposition that stood between God's people and His promises. Overcoming them required more than just military might.
Understand the original words
kalev · Hebrew Proper Noun
A man of faith known for his courage and faithfulness during the reconnaissance of Canaan; he represents the generation that fully trusted God’s promise to inherit the land.
anaq · Hebrew Proper Noun
Often associated with the Nephilim or giants in Numbers 13, the Anakim represent the formidable spiritual and physical adversaries that Israel had to overcome through divine enablement.
c. 1406 BC
Israel Enters the Promised Land
Following Moses' death and Joshua's appointment as leader, the Israelites cross the Jordan River and begin their conquest of Canaan.
c. 1406 BC
Moses' Promise to Caleb
Years earlier, Moses promised the land of Hebron to Caleb for his faithful service and belief in God's promise.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest of Hebron Begins
Judah, alongside Simeon, begins their campaign to conquer the southern territories of Canaan, including Hebron.
c. 1405 BC— this verse
Caleb Possesses Hebron
Caleb, now an old man, claims his inheritance of Hebron and drives out the Anakim, descendants of the giants, fulfilling Moses' promise.
c. 1405 BC
Kiriath-sepher Captured
Caleb's relative Othniel captures the stronghold of Kiriath-sepher, earning Achsah, Caleb's daughter, as his wife, demonstrating the strategic importance of these victories.
This passage directly echoes Moses' promise to Caleb for his faithfulness, highlighting the divine fulfillment of that pledge when Caleb is given Hebron.
Joshua 14:13This verse provides the immediate context from Joshua's conquest, detailing Caleb's claim to Hebron as his inheritance and his action against the Anakim.
Deuteronomy 1:36This passage shows Moses recounting his promise to Caleb, emphasizing that Caleb's faithfulness in the wilderness would lead to his receiving possession of the land.
Joshua 15:13-14These verses reiterate the account of Caleb driving out the three sons of Anak from Hebron, reinforcing the specific details mentioned in Judges.
gillJudges 1:20: "And they gave Hebron unto Caleb, as Moses said: and he expelled thence the three sons of Anak."
And they gave Hebron unto Caleb, as Moses said,.... Which was done in the times of Joshua, both by him and all the people, according to the order of Moses. This is to be understood not of the city which was given to the Levites, but of the fields and parts adjacent, Joshua 14:13 , and he expelled thence the three sons of Anak: whose names are given Judges 1:10; this shows that this refe…
clarkeJudges 1:20: "And they gave Hebron unto Caleb, as Moses said: and he expelled thence the three sons of Anak."
They gave Hebron unto Caleb - See this whole transaction explained Joshua 14:12 (note), etc.
It's easy to read this as just another territorial claim, but the phrase "as Moses had said" is crucial. It highlights that this wasn't just a random land grab; it was the fulfillment of a specific promise God made through Moses to Caleb for his faithfulness forty years earlier. This verse reveals a God who remembers and rewards steadfast loyalty, even after a long wilderness journey.
This verse highlights that Hebron was specifically promised to Caleb, as Moses had declared long before. What's easily missed is that Caleb, despite being an older man and the promise being made years prior, personally expelled the formidable sons of Anak from the city. This wasn't just a passive receiving of a promised inheritance, but an active, courageous conquest, demonstrating Caleb's enduring faith and strength.
This verse highlights that Hebron was specifically promised to Caleb, as Moses had declared long before. What's easily missed is that Caleb, despite being an older man and the promise being made years prior, personally the formidable sons of Anak from the city. This wasn't just a passive receiving of a promised inheritance, but an active, courageous conquest, demonstrating Caleb's enduring faith and strength.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Judges 1:20 is available in the Sola app.
c. 1390-1070 BC
Period of the Judges
This event occurs at the beginning of the period where Israel lacked centralized leadership and was often oppressed by surrounding nations, relying on divinely appointed judges.
"And Hebron was given to Caleb, as Moses had said. And he drove out from it the three sons of Anak." — It's easy to read this as just another territorial claim, but the phrase "as Moses had said" is crucial. It highlights that this wasn't just a random land grab; it was the fulfillment of a specific p…
