Joshua 15:13-16

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 15:13-19

The historian seems pleased with every occasion to make mention of Caleb and to do him honour, because he had honoured God in following him fully. Observe, I. The grant Joshua made him of the mountain of Hebron for his inheritance is here repeated (Josh. 15:13), and it is said to be given him. 1. According to the commandment of the Lord to Joshua. Though Caleb, in his petition, had made out a very good title to it by promise, yet, because God had ordered Joshua to divide the land by lot, he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 15:13

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 previous to the lot: according to the commandment of the Lord to Joshua ; for as he had declared this to Moses, Deuteronomy 1:36 ; so it seems he also gave the same order to Joshua, who, it is not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 15:14

And Caleb drove thence the three sons of Anak ,.... Some think this was after the death of Joshua, and is here inserted by some other person divinely inspired, and thoroughly acquainted with this fact, that the gift and the possession of this place might appear in one view; but it rather seems to be done before: Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak ; the very same giants Caleb saw at Hebron, when he was sent a spy into the land, Numbers 13:22 ; for these may as well be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 15:15

And he went up from thence to the inhabitants of Debir ,.... Having conquered Hebron, and got possession of that, Caleb marched to Debir, a city not many miles from Hebron, and seems to have been in the country, and part of the land, which was given him; of which See Gill on Joshua 10:38 , and the name of Debir before was Kirjathsepher ; or "the city of books"; either a place of literature, a sort of an academy, or where was a public library; the Targum calls it Kirjatharche, or the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 15:16

And Caleb said, he that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it ,.... Which he ordered to be proclaimed through the army that was under his command; and which was done not so much on the account of the difficulty of taking the place, through the number of the inhabitants of it, and its fortifications, which it seems had fallen again into the hands of the Canaanites, since it was taken by Joshua; nor through inactivity, diffidence, and timorousness in himself; but that others, who were officers,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 15:13

And unto Caleb - he gave a part - See the notes on Joshua 14:14 , etc. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 15:14

The three sons of Anak - See on Joshua 14:15 ; (note). read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 15:15

Kirjath-sepher - The city of the book. Why so named is uncertain. It was also called Debir, and Kirjath-sannah. See Joshua 15:49 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 15:16

Will I give Achsah my daughter - In ancient times fathers assumed an absolute right over their children, especially in disposing of them in marriage; and it was customary for a king or great man to promise his daughter in marriage to him who should take a city, kill an enemy, etc. So Saul promised his daughter in marriage to him who should kill Goliath, 1 Samuel 17:25 ; and Caleb offers his on this occasion to him who should take Kirjath-sepher. Profane writers furnish many... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 15:13

Verse 13 13.And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh, etc Were we to judge from the actual state of matters, it would seem ridiculous repeatedly to celebrate an imaginary grant from which Caleb received no benefit while Joshua was alive. But herein due praise is given both to the truth of God, and to the faith of his saint in resting on his promise. Therefore, although sneering men, and the inhabitants of the place itself, if the rumor had reached them, might have derided the vain solicitude of... read more

Group of Brands