Joshua 14:8-14 ESV

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Joshua 14:10

Forty and five years - The word of God to Moses was spoken after the return of the spies in the autumn of the second year after the Exodus Numbers 13:25; subsequently, 38 years elapsed before the people reached the Jordan Numbers 20:1; after the passage of the Jordan seven more years had passed, when Caleb claimed Hebron, before the partition of the land among the nine tribes and a half. These seven years then correspond to the “long time” Joshua 11:18 during which Joshua was making war with... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Joshua 14:12

The Anakims had in the course of Joshua’s campaigns in the south been expelled from “this mountain,” i. e. the mountain country round Hebron, but they had only withdrawn to the neighboring cities of Philistia Joshua 11:22. Thence, they had, as must be inferred from the text here, returned and reoccupied Hebron, probably when Joshua and the main force of the Israelites had marched northward to deal with Jabin and his confederates. Caleb finally drove out this formidable race and occupied Hebron... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 14:7-8

Joshua 14:7-8. I brought him word, as it was in my heart I spake my opinion sincerely, without flattery and fear, when the other spies were biassed by their own fears, and the dread of the people, to speak otherwise than in their consciences they believed. I wholly followed the Lord my God The Hebrew, מלאתי אחרי יהוה , milleeti acharei Jehovah, is literally, I filled after the Lord my God, which words, as Dr. Dodd justly observes, “give the idea of a traveller, who, attentive to the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 14:9

Joshua 14:9. Moses sware on that day See Deuteronomy 1:35-36. What is here mentioned was first pronounced by God himself, and that with an oath, Numbers 14:21-24. It was also, however, repeated by Moses, so that the expression of the sacred writer is just. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 14:10-11

Joshua 14:10-11. The Lord hath kept me alive these forty and five years Whereof thirty-eight were spent in the wilderness, and seven since they came into Canaan. The longer we live the more sensible we should be of God’s goodness to us in keeping us alive! Of his care in prolonging our frail lives, his patience in prolonging our forfeited lives! And shall not the life thus kept by his providence, be devoted to his praise? I am as strong this day, &c. Though eighty-five years of age,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 14:12

Joshua 14:12. Now, therefore, give me this mountain The mountainous country where Hebron lay, (Joshua 11:21,) which was the place promised to him. He names the country rather than the city, because that was given to the Levites, Joshua 21:11-13. Thou heardest in that day Didst understand, both by the reports of others and by thy own observation. Hearing, the sense by which we get knowledge, is often put for knowing or understanding. If so be the Lord will be with me These are not the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 14:13

Joshua 14:13. Joshua blessed him Commended his bravery, applauded and granted his request, and prayed to God to bless and help him according to his own desire. Joshua was both a prince and a prophet, and on both accounts it was proper for him to give Caleb his blessing. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Joshua 14:6-15

The tribe of Judah (14:6-15:63)By far the largest portions of Canaan went to the chief tribes, those of Judah and Joseph (cf. Genesis 49:8-12,Genesis 49:22-26). Judah received almost the whole of southern Canaan, and Joseph received almost the whole of central Canaan.Caleb received his special inheritance within the area given to his tribe, Judah. Here he proved that his expression of faith made forty-five years earlier was not mere words. At that time he and Joshua alone in Israel believed... read more

E.W. Bullinger