King James Version

What Does Joshua 15:14 Mean?

Joshua 15:14 in the King James Version says “And Caleb drove thence the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak.” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Joshua 15:14 · KJV

Context

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.

16

And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.

Read Joshua 15 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Caleb's victory: 'And Caleb drove thence the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak.' The eighty-five-year-old warrior defeats the three Anakim leaders personally or through his leadership. These were descendants of the giants that terrified Israel forty-five years earlier. The specific naming (Sheshai, Ahiman, Talmai) personalizes the victory—not abstract 'giants' but specific opponents defeated through faith. This fulfills God's promise and vindicates Caleb's earlier faith (Numbers 13:30). The conquest demonstrates that what seems impossible to human observation ('we were in our own sight as grasshoppers,' Numbers 13:33) is achievable through faith in God's promises. Judges 1:10 credits Judah corporately with this victory, suggesting Caleb led Judahite forces. Either way, the victory testifies to faith's power across decades and into old age.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Anakim were giant people inhabiting Canaan's hill country, particularly around Hebron. Numbers 13:22 mentions Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai specifically as being in Hebron during the spying mission—the same individuals (or their descendants with same names) that Caleb now defeats. The forty-five year continuity shows these giants or their dynasty persisted through Israel's wilderness wandering and initial conquest. Their defeat was psychologically and strategically significant—conquering what caused the previous generation's failure vindicated faith over fear. Archaeological evidence doesn't confirm giant skeletons (expectations of fifteen-foot giants are likely exaggerated), but ancient sources including Egyptian and Mesopotamian texts mention unusually tall people groups. Whether literally giant or simply tall, formidable warriors, the Anakim's defeat demonstrated God's power to overcome intimidating opposition. The conquest opened Judah's highlands for settlement.

Reflection Questions

  1. What giants (seemingly insurmountable obstacles) from your past is God calling you to finally conquer through faith?
  2. How does defeating long-standing enemies (forty-five years later) demonstrate God's faithfulness across time?
  3. What role does age and experience play in finally overcoming what intimidated you earlier in life?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וַיֹּ֤רֶשׁ1 of 15

“drove”

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

מִשָּׁם֙2 of 15
H8033

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

כָּלֵ֔ב3 of 15

“And Caleb”

H3612

caleb, the name of three israelites

אֶת4 of 15
H853

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

שְׁלוֹשָׁ֖ה5 of 15

“thence the three”

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

בְּנֵ֣י6 of 15

“sons”

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

הָֽעֲנָֽק׃7 of 15

“of Anak”

H6061

anak, a canaanite

אֶת8 of 15
H853

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

שֵׁשַׁ֤י9 of 15

“Sheshai”

H8344

sheshai, a canaanite

וְאֶת10 of 15
H853

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

אֲחִימַן֙11 of 15

“and Ahiman”

H289

achiman, the name of an anakite and of an israelite

וְאֶת12 of 15
H853

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

תַּלְמַ֔י13 of 15

“and Talmai”

H8526

talmai, the name of a canaanite and a syrian

יְלִידֵ֖י14 of 15

“the children”

H3211

born

הָֽעֲנָֽק׃15 of 15

“of Anak”

H6061

anak, a canaanite

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 15:14 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 15:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 1:20Judges 1:10Joshua 11:21Numbers 13:22-23Numbers 13:33Joshua 10:36-37

Places in This Verse

HebronSettlement · Modern: Tel Rumeida · 31.53°N, 35.10°E62 verses across 10 books
View all places in Joshua 15 →

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