Joshua Chapter 14
Joshua 14
A. Preparation for the Division of the Land
1. (Joshua 14:1–2) The distribution of the land on the western side of the Jordan River
King James Version Scripture:
“And these are the countries which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed for inheritance to them. By lot was their inheritance, as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes,
The Holy Spirit begins this section by emphasizing that the distribution of the land was not conducted by political preference, military might or human ambition, but under spiritual leadership and divine order. Eleazar the priest represents spiritual discernment through the priesthood, Joshua the son of Nun represents executive leadership and obedience to God's commands, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes represent accountability among the people. This unified leadership structure reflects God’s design for order among His people.
Their inheritance was determined by lot, not by human negotiation. The casting of lots was not gambling but a sacred act used to reveal the will of God. Proverbs 16:33 confirms this principle, “The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.” This ensured that no tribe could claim favoritism or grievance, for the division was seen as coming directly from the Lord. Moses had already commanded that the division of land would take place in this manner, which is recorded in Numbers 26:55–56, “Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot… according to the lot shall the possession thereof be divided.” Israel obeys that instruction here.
The mention of nine tribes and a half tribe refers to the tribes who are to inherit west of the Jordan. The remaining two and a half tribes—Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh—had already received their possession east of the Jordan under Moses' leadership. This transition shows God’s faithfulness. What He promised through Moses is now being fulfilled under Joshua. It also demonstrates continuity of leadership: Moses began the process, Joshua completes it, and Eleazar verifies it spiritually.
Even though the land is conquered in principle, it still must be possessed in practice. This scene marks a turning point in Israel’s history. The time of warfare gives way to the responsibilities of inheritance. Rest is now connected with obedience, and possession now depends on faithfulness. Though the land is theirs by promise, each tribe must still act in faith to possess it fully. This balance between divine sovereignty and human responsibility runs through the entire chapter.
2. (Joshua 14:3–5) Explanation of the nine and one-half tribes who received their inheritance west of the Jordan
King James Version Scripture:
“For Moses had given the inheritance of two tribes and an half tribe on the other side Jordan: but unto the Levites he gave none inheritance among them. For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: therefore they gave no part unto the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for their cattle and for their substance. As the Lord commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did, and they divided the land.”
Moses had already assigned land to the tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh on the east side of the Jordan River, as recorded in Numbers chapter 32 and Deuteronomy chapter 3. This was land they requested because it was suitable for their vast herds, and Moses agreed on the condition that their fighting men would first cross over and assist their brethren in conquering Canaan. Therefore, their inheritance was settled before Joshua began dividing the land in Canaan proper.
But unto the Levites he gave none inheritance among them. The tribe of Levi was set apart for the service of the Lord. They were not given territorial land like the other tribes, because their inheritance was spiritual, not agricultural. Deuteronomy 10:9 explains this clearly, “Wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the Lord is his inheritance, according as the Lord thy God promised him.” Instead of land, the Levites received cities to dwell in, along with surrounding suburbs (common lands) for livestock and personal needs. We see this fulfilled later in Joshua chapter 21 when forty-eight cities are assigned to them.
For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. This explains how the nation still numbers twelve tribes in inheritance even though Levi receives no land. Joseph, though one son of Jacob, is represented by his two sons. Jacob had adopted Ephraim and Manasseh as his own in Genesis 48:5, saying, “Ephraim and Manasseh… are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine.” This act gave Joseph the double portion of the firstborn. Reuben forfeited that right through sin (1 Chronicles 5:1), and Joseph received it instead.
This division also makes sense of the math of the inheritances:
Two and a half tribes east of Jordan (Reuben, Gad, half Manasseh)
Nine and a half tribes in Canaan under Joshua
Levi receives no land, but is scattered among the tribes as God’s priestly presence among the people
Joseph becomes two tribes, preserving the total at twelve land-receiving entities
As the Lord commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did. The people are commended for obeying the commands of God given through Moses. The conquest of Canaan has not led to pride or independence from God. They follow divine order even after victory. This is a key theme in Joshua: victory must be followed by obedience, and possession must be administered according to God’s Word, not human preference.
This passage also foreshadows deeper spiritual truths. The Levites remind us that God Himself is the ultimate inheritance of His people. The double portion to Joseph pictures God’s faithfulness to those who are faithful under trial. And the orderly division of the land reminds believers that God is a God of structure, authority and covenant-keeping.
B. Caleb’s Inheritance
1. (Joshua 14:6–9) Caleb remembers Moses’ promise
King James Version Scripture:
“Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the Lord said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadeshbarnea. Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart. Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the Lord my God. And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children’s for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the Lord my God.”
Caleb, of the tribe of Judah, approaches Joshua at Gilgal with confidence grounded not in pride, but in the Word of God. He begins by reminding Joshua, “Thou knowest the thing that the Lord said unto Moses…” Caleb appeals not to sentiment or personal achievement, but to a divine promise spoken by God through Moses at Kadeshbarnea. This reflects a faith rooted in God’s Word rather than human authority or emotion.
Caleb recalls how at forty years old he was sent by Moses to spy out the land (Numbers 13:1–25). He brought back a report “as it was in mine heart,” meaning his testimony was truthful, full of faith, and aligned with God’s promise. Yet, the other ten spies “made the heart of the people melt,” spreading fear, doubt and rebellion. Their negative report led Israel to reject God’s promise, causing an entire generation to wander and die in the wilderness (Numbers 14:26–38). Only Joshua and Caleb, the two faithful spies, survived to enter the Promised Land, because they believed God when everyone else doubted.
Caleb’s statement, “I wholly followed the Lord my God,” is repeated twice in this passage. This is not arrogance. He is simply repeating what God and Moses had already said about him. Deuteronomy 1:36 says, “Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh; he shall see it, and to him will I give the land that he hath trodden upon, and to his children, because he hath wholly followed the Lord.” The phrase “wholly followed” means he was wholehearted, undivided and consistent in his obedience. His faith was not temporary or partial. It was unwavering and complete.
Because of this, Moses had sworn, “Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children’s for ever.” Caleb stood on that promise for more than forty years. He waited without bitterness, without wavering, without turning back to Egypt. He trusted God’s timing. Now, as the land is being divided, he steps forward to claim what God swore to give him. This is not selfishness, but faith in action.
It is fitting that Judah is the first tribe to receive land west of the Jordan, and that Caleb is the first among Judah to receive his portion. Judah is the royal tribe, the tribe from which the Messiah would come. Caleb, a man of faith, courage and perseverance, models what it means to take hold of God’s promises.
Lessons from Caleb’s Faithfulness:
Faith remembers what God has said. Caleb says, “Thou knowest…” He grounds his request on Scripture, not feelings.
Faith is not swayed by the unbelief of others. Ten spies saw giants; Caleb saw God.
Faith waits patiently. He waited forty-five years for this moment without complaint.
Faith speaks boldly. He does not hesitate to claim what God promised.
Faith is wholehearted. God does not bless half-hearted obedience, but those who wholly follow Him.
2. (Joshua 14:10–15) Caleb seizes God’s promise
King James Version Scripture:
“And now, behold, the Lord hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the Lord spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in. Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the Lord spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the Lord said. And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance. Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel. And the name of Hebron before was Kirjatharba; which Arba was a great man among the Anakims. And the land had rest from war.”
Caleb now speaks with the confidence of a man who has walked faithfully with God for more than four decades. He begins by acknowledging God’s preservation: “The Lord hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years.” Caleb never attributes survival, health, or opportunity to luck, genetics, or personal strength. His life is sustained by the faithfulness of God.
He stands before Joshua at eighty-five years old, yet boldly declares, “As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me.” His physical vigor mirrors his spiritual vitality. Time had not diminished his courage, obedience or faith. The same man who trusted God at forty still trusts Him at eighty-five. This is a powerful biblical picture of finishing well, proving that age is no barrier to usefulness when God sustains a life wholly devoted to Him.
Then comes one of the most remarkable statements in Scripture: “Now therefore give me this mountain.” Caleb does not ask for an easy valley, a peaceful meadow, or already-conquered territory. He asks for the very land inhabited by the Anakim, the giants who terrified Israel forty-five years earlier. These were the very enemies that caused Israel’s faithless generation to turn back and die in the wilderness. Caleb says, in essence, “Let me face the giants. Let me take the hardest ground. Give me the mountain of promise.”
He is not presuming on his own strength. He says humbly, “If so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the Lord said.” Caleb’s confidence is not self-confidence but God-confidence. He believes God’s presence is the deciding factor in every battle.
Joshua responds by blessing him and assigning him Hebron as his inheritance. Hebron is not merely any city; it is one of the oldest cities in Canaan, once known as Kirjath-Arba, named after Arba, the greatest man among the Anakim. Caleb is essentially taking the stronghold of giants, turning a monument of fear into a testimony of faith.
The reason for this honor is repeated: “Because he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel.” This is now the third time in the chapter Caleb is described in this way. His legacy is not military conquest, not political leadership, but wholehearted, unwavering, lifelong devotion to the Lord.
Finally, the passage concludes, “And the land had rest from war.” Caleb’s faith leads to peace, not only for himself but for others. Obedience always brings rest. Faith conquers giants and secures inheritance. Wholehearted devotion produces lasting legacy.
Lessons from Caleb’s Seizing of God’s Promise:
Age is no obstacle to faithfulness. At eighty-five, Caleb is still ready for battle.
Faith does not retire. He does not ask for ease, but for opportunity to serve.
True courage faces the hardest ground. Caleb chose the land of giants.
Wholehearted devotion is God’s measure of greatness. Not brilliance, wealth or position—but obedience.
Giants fall when God is with us. Caleb said, “If the Lord be with me…” and that was enough.
