King James Version

What Does Joshua 15:13 Mean?

Joshua 15:13 in the King James Version says “And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, even the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron. the city: or, Kirjatharba

Joshua 15:13 · KJV


Context

11

And the border went out unto the side of Ekron northward: and the border was drawn to Shicron, and passed along to mount Baalah, and went out unto Jabneel; and the goings out of the border were at the sea.

12

And the west border was to the great sea, and the coast thereof. This is the coast of the children of Judah round about according to their families.

13

And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, even the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron. the city: or, Kirjatharba

14

And Caleb drove thence the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak.

15

And he went up thence to the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of Debir before was Kirjathsepher.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Caleb's specific inheritance: 'And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, even the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron.' This fulfills God's specific promise to Caleb (14:9-13). Hebron, named after Arba (greatest of the Anakim, verse 14), represented formidable opposition—the very giants that terrified the ten spies forty-five years earlier. Yet eighty-five-year-old Caleb confidently claimed this difficult inheritance. The phrase 'according to the commandment of the LORD' emphasizes divine directive—this wasn't merely Joshua's favoritism but God's reward for Caleb's faithfulness. The allocation shows that God rewards wholehearted devotion with meaningful, challenging opportunities. Caleb didn't request easy retirement but difficult conquest, modeling that faithful servants embrace challenges regardless of age.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Hebron was ancient, strategic city in Judah's central highlands, about nineteen miles south of Jerusalem. Abraham settled near Hebron (Genesis 13:18), and Sarah was buried there (Genesis 23). The city's association with Anakim giants (Numbers 13:22, 28, 33) made it psychologically significant—conquering Hebron conquered Israel's former fears. Caleb's successful conquest (15:14) demonstrated that the giants who terrified the previous generation could be defeated by faith. Hebron later became one of Judah's principal cities and David's first capital (2 Samuel 2:1-4, 5:5). Excavations confirm ancient occupation and substantial fortifications. The city's elevation (over 3,000 feet) provided defensive advantage. Caleb's possession of Hebron fulfilled multiple purposes: rewarding individual faithfulness, demonstrating that former obstacles could be overcome, establishing a faithful family in a strategic location, and providing continuity with patriarchal heritage (Abraham's connection to Hebron).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Caleb's choice of difficult inheritance (giant-inhabited Hebron) rather than easy retirement teach about faithful aging?
  2. How does conquering former fears (the giants that terrified previous generation) model spiritual maturity?
  3. What challenging opportunities is God offering you that require faith to claim rather than settling for ease?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וּלְכָלֵ֣ב1 of 19

And unto Caleb

H3612

caleb, the name of three israelites

בְּנֵֽי2 of 19

the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יְפֻנֶּ֗ה3 of 19

of Jephunneh

H3312

jephunneh, the name of two israelites

נָ֤תַן4 of 19

he gave

H5414

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

חֵ֙לֶק֙5 of 19

a part

H2506

properly, smoothness (of the tongue)

בְּת֣וֹךְ6 of 19

among

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

בְּנֵֽי7 of 19

the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יְהוּדָ֔ה8 of 19

of Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

אֶל9 of 19

according

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

פִּ֥י10 of 19

to the commandment

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

יְהוָ֖ה11 of 19

of the LORD

H3068

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

לִֽיהוֹשֻׁ֑עַ12 of 19

to Joshua

H3091

jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader

אֶת13 of 19
H853

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

קִרְיַ֥ת14 of 19

even the city

H7151

a city

אַרְבַּ֛ע15 of 19

of Arba

H704

arba, one of the anakim

אֲבִ֥י16 of 19

the father

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

הָֽעֲנָ֖ק17 of 19

of Anak

H6061

anak, a canaanite

הִ֥יא18 of 19
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

חֶבְרֽוֹן׃19 of 19

which city is Hebron

H2275

chebron, the name of two israelites


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 15:13 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 15:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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