Joshua 14:4-14

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 14:1-5

The historian, having in the foregoing chapter given an account of the disposal of the countries on the other side Jordan, now comes to tell us what they did with the countries in the land of Canaan. They were not conquered to be left desert, a habitation for dragons, and a court for owls, Isa. 34:13. No, the Israelites that had hitherto been closely encamped in a body, and the greatest part of them such as never knew any other way of living, must now disperse themselves to replenish these new... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 14:6-15

Before the lot was cast into the lap for the determining of the portions of the respective tribes, the particular portion of Caleb was assigned to him. He was now, except Joshua, not only the oldest man in all Israel, but was twenty years older than any of them, for all that were above twenty years old when he was forty were dead in the wilderness; it was fit therefore that this phoenix of his age should have some particular marks of honour put upon him in the dividing of the land. Now, I.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 14:4

For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim ,.... For the birthright being forfeited by Reuben, was given to Joseph, who had the double portion, the privilege of the firstborn; by which means the number of the twelve tribes was kept up in the division of the land, though that of Levi had no share in it; and which is also a reason why they had none, that Joseph's two sons might be reckoned two tribes: therefore they gave no part unto the Levites in the land ; to make... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 14:5

As the Lord commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did ,.... Particularly with respect to the division of the land, and making provision for the Levites; this they did by their heads and representatives, the high priest and chief ruler, and the princes of the several tribes: and they divided the land ; met about it, and began to take measures in order to do it; they prepared for it, though as yet it was not actually done, and previous to it was the following incident. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 14:6

Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal ,.... Whither he was returned after the conquest of the kings and their kingdoms; these were not the whole tribe of Judah, but some of the chief men of it who accompanied Caleb, for the honour of him, as Ben Gersom observes, he being their prince; and to second his petition, and to show their consent unto, and an approbation of such an assignment to him as he desired: and Caleb, the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, said unto him ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 14:7

Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land ,.... Not he alone, but eleven more with him, one out of every tribe; his age he mentions, and of which, or near it, it is highly probable the rest of the spies were, to show that he and they were in the prime of their days, both as to bodily strength and intellectual capacity, which were requisite for such service as to spy out the land, of what quality that and its inhabitants were;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 14:8

Nevertheless, my brethren that went up with me ,.... Meaning the rest of the spies, excepting Joshua, that went up with him into the land of Canaan to spy it, which they might be properly said to do, since they went up a hill or mountain, in order to go into it, Numbers 13:17 , made the heart of the people melt ; discouraged them, filled them with fears, sunk their spirits, that their hearts flowed, and became as weak as water, having no strength left in them, or hope of possessing the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 14:9

And Moses sware on that day, saying ,.... Or declared the oath of the Lord, for it was the Lord that sware to what follows; see Deuteronomy 1:34 , surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever : not the whole land of Canaan, nor all the parts of it Caleb travelled through, but particularly Hebron; which though not expressly mentioned in the aforesaid oath, yet was understood and known to be the meaning of it, and which Joshua by... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 14:10

And now, behold, the Lord hath kept me alive, as he said ,.... Had upheld him in life, and preserved him from many dangers in the wilderness; and had continued him not only in life, but in health to that day, according to his promise to him, that he would bring him into the land of Canaan, and that he should see and possess it, Numbers 14:24 Deuteronomy 1:36 , these forty and five years, even since the Lord spake this word unto Moses, and while the children of Israel wandered in the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 14:11

As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me ,.... To spy the land, forty five years ago; suggesting that he was as sound in his mind, understanding, judgment and memory, and as hale, strong, and robust in his body now, as he had been so long ago; which was a wonderful instance of the care of divine Providence over him in upholding him in life, and continuing him in vigour and health at such an age, when the carcasses of so many thousands had pined away and fell... read more

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