King James Version

What Does Joshua 14:12 Mean?

Joshua 14:12 in the King James Version says “Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims w... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Joshua 14:12 · KJV


Context

10

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. wandered: Heb. walked

11

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.

12

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.

13

And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.

14

Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Caleb's request demonstrates remarkable faith and courage. The phrase 'give me this mountain' (ten-li et-hahar hazeh, תֵּן־לִי אֶת־הָהָר הַזֶּה) asks for Hebron and its surrounding highlands, the very territory that terrified the other spies 45 years earlier (Numbers 13:22, 28, 33). The reference 'whereof the LORD spake in that day' grounds the request in divine promise. The clause 'for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there' acknowledges the challenge—the giants who intimidated Israel still occupied the region. The description 'cities were great and fenced' admits the military difficulty. Yet Caleb's faith shines in the conditional clause: 'if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out.' The phrase ulay Yahweh iti (אוּלַי יְהוָה אִתִּי, 'if the LORD will be with me') expresses humble dependence, not presumption. Caleb recognizes that success requires divine presence, yet confidently claims God's promise. The final phrase 'as the LORD said' returns to divine promise as the foundation for courage. At 85, Caleb doesn't seek easy retirement but the hardest conquest, showing that faith grows stronger rather than weaker through testing.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Hebron, located in the Judean highlands about 19 miles south of Jerusalem at 3,000+ feet elevation, was among Canaan's oldest and most significant cities. It had been called Kirjath-arba, named after Arba, the greatest man among the Anakim (Joshua 14:15). The Anakim (descendants of Anak) were giants whose intimidating stature had terrified the spies (Numbers 13:33, 'we were in our own sight as grasshoppers'). These were the very opponents who caused Israel's generation of unbelief to refuse entering Canaan. Caleb's request to fight the Anakim at age 85 demonstrates that faith's courage doesn't diminish with age but may intensify through years of trusting God. Hebron held deep historical significance—Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Leah were buried there in the cave of Machpelah (Genesis 23; 49:29-32). Claiming Hebron meant possessing territory laden with patriarchal history and promise. Caleb successfully conquered Hebron and drove out the three sons of Anak (Joshua 15:13-14), vindicating his faith. Hebron later became one of the cities of refuge (Joshua 20:7) and David's first capital (2 Samuel 2:11), demonstrating its ongoing significance.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'mountain' with 'giants' is God calling you to conquer that seems too difficult for your current age or circumstances?
  2. How does Caleb's willingness to take the hardest assignment challenge your tendency to seek comfort and ease?
  3. What does Caleb's conditional confidence ('if the LORD will be with me') teach about balancing humble dependence with bold faith?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
וְעַתָּ֗ה1 of 29
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

תְּנָה2 of 29

Now therefore give

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לִּי֙3 of 29
H0
אֶת4 of 29
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָהָ֣ר5 of 29

me this mountain

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

הַזֶּ֔ה6 of 29
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

אֲשֶׁר7 of 29
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

דִּבֶּ֥ר8 of 29

said

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

יְהוָֽה׃9 of 29

as the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בַיּ֨וֹם10 of 29

in that day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַה֑וּא11 of 29
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

כִּ֣י12 of 29
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אַתָּֽה13 of 29
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

שָׁמַעְתָּ֩14 of 29

for thou heardest

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

בַיּ֨וֹם15 of 29

in that day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַה֜וּא16 of 29
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

כִּֽי17 of 29
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

עֲנָקִ֣ים18 of 29

how the Anakims

H6062

an anakite or descendant of anak

שָׁ֗ם19 of 29
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

וְעָרִים֙20 of 29

were there and that the cities

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

גְּדֹל֣וֹת21 of 29

were great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

בְּצֻר֔וֹת22 of 29

and fenced

H1219

to gather grapes; also to be isolated (i.e., inaccessible by height or fortification)

אוּלַ֨י23 of 29

if so be

H194

if not; hence perhaps

יְהוָֽה׃24 of 29

as the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אוֹתִי֙25 of 29

will be with

H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

וְה֣וֹרַשְׁתִּ֔ים26 of 29

me then I shall be able to drive them out

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר27 of 29
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

דִּבֶּ֥ר28 of 29

said

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

יְהוָֽה׃29 of 29

as the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Joshua. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Joshua 14:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joshua 14:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study