Joshua 14 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Joshua and Eleazar distribute land of Canaan by lot: Caleb desireth mount Hebron to be given to him; and Joshua granteth his petition.

Before Christ 1445.

Ver. 2. By lot was their inheritance, as the Lord commanded, &c.— Though God had sufficiently pointed out by the predictions of Jacob, when dying, and those of Moses, what portions he designed for each tribe, we readily discern an admirable proof of the Divine wisdom, in the orders he gave to decide them by lot. By this means were prevented the false interpretations which might have been given to the words of Jacob and Moses; and, by striking at the root of whatever might occasion jealousies and disputes among the tribes, he evidently secured the honesty of those who were to be appointed to distribute to them the conquered countries in the land of Canaan. Besides, the success of this method became a fresh proof of the divinity of the Israelites' religion, and the truth of its oracles. Each tribe finding itself placed by lot exactly in the spot which Jacob and Moses had foretold, it was evident that Providence had equally directed both those predictions and that lot. The event justified the truth of the promises. The more singular it was, the more clearly do we discern the finger of God in it. No one has set these reflections in a fairer light than Masius. "The portion," says he, "fell to each tribe just as Jacob had declared two hundred and fifty years before, in the last moments of his life, and Moses immediately before his death; for, to the tribe of Judah fell a country abounding in vineyards and pastures; to Zebulun and Issachar, sea-ports; in that of Asher was plenty of oil, wheat, and metals; that of Benjamin, near to the temple, was in a manner between the shoulders of the city. Ephraim and Manasseh were distinguished with a territory blest in a peculiar manner by heaven. The land of Naphtati extended from the west to the south of the tribe of Judah. Since, therefore, the lots so well corresponded to these predictions, would it not be insolence and stupidity in the highest degree, not to acknowledge the inspiration of God in the words of Jacob and Moses, the direction of his hand in the lot, and his providence in the event?" See Masius on the place.

Ver. 5. The children of Israel—divided the land— That is, they were disposed so to do; they began to set about it. The Scripture calls that done, which is begun or only resolved upon. Genesis 37:21. Exodus 12:48 chap. Joshua 10:15. The text might be disposed thus: "The children of Israel did as the Lord had commanded Moses, by assigning cities and suburbs to the Levites, [ch. Joshua 21:1-2, &c.] when they divided the land, under the direction of Joshua, Eleazar, and the heads of the tribes."

Ver. 6. Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal— Or, Now the children of Judah had come, &c.

And Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite— See Numbers 32:12.

Ver. 7. I brought him word again, as it was in mine heart— Sincerely, without a desire to flatter, or fear to displease him.

Ver. 8. I wholly followed the Lord my God— The Hebrew literally is, I filled after the Lord my God: Words, the energy of which is very well rendered in our version; they give the idea of a traveller, who, attentive to the following of his guide, so treads in his steps, as to leave hardly any void space betwixt his guide and him, and continually fills up the traces of his feet. See Poole's Synopsis.

Ver. 9. And Moses sware on that day, saying— See Numbers 14:21-24 and Deuteronomy 1:34-35. It was God who sware, and not Moses; but as he sware by the mouth of the latter, the expression used by the sacred writer is just. Ver. 11. As yet I am as strong, &c.] Caleb adds this consideration only the better to shew the high sense he has of the divine goodness, which had so preserved his vigour in this advanced age, as to enable him either to take from the enemies, which still retained them, the possessions to which he was entitled, or to defend what should belong to him against their attempts. For the expression, to go out, and to come in, see Numbers 27:17.

Ver. 12. In that day (for thou heardest) &c.— The LXX and Vulgate construe these words with what goes before, and render the whole thus: Give me, therefore, this mountain, which the Lord promised me, as thou thyself heardst. Beside the city of Hebron, the Anakims possessed at least two others in this district. See Numbers 13:29; Numbers 13:32-33; Judges 11:21 Joshua 20:7.

If—the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able, &c.— Here arises a difficulty. We observed that Joshua had already taken Hebron; how, therefore, can Caleb say now that he shall drive out the Anakims? Some are of opinion, that Caleb claimed the country of Hebron before the city of that name was conquered. But, without making any alteration in the narrative here given by the sacred historian, we may answer, that still, though Joshua had taken the city of Hebron, the Anakims kept in the adjacent mountains, whence they frequently descended and infested the country, and were therefore necessarily to be expelled by Caleb. This conjecture is the more probable, as it appears by the sequel that the city of Hebron was given to the priests, (ch. Joshua 21:11-13.) and not to Caleb, who only possessed the country wherein it stood, and therefore doubtless required no more. We would, however, choose rather to answer, with some other interpreters, that the Anakims had evidently retaken Hebron, and the other cities in that district, while Joshua was engaged elsewhere; in which case, the whole verse might be rendered thus: Now, therefore, give me this mountain, whereof the Lord spake in that day, as thou thyself then heardest; for though the Anakims are there—if the Lord be with me, I shall be able to drive them out. It must not be thought here, that Caleb at all doubts the faithfulness of God: so far from it, his language is that of a pious and modest man, who means to declare, that without the assistance of heaven he cannot succeed in the enter-prize which his valour had projected. The paraphrase of Jonathan has it, If the WORD of the Lord is my help, agreeable to his usual style throughout. See Houbigant on the place.

Ver. 13. And Joshua blessed him— Granted him the boon he desired, acknowledged his right to the country of Hebron, consented to his making a conquest of it, and entreated the Lord to favour him in his undertaking.

Ver. 15. And the name of Hebron before was, &c.— Perhaps the words, a great man, might be rendered a strong man; the original word גדול gadol signifying greatness of size and strength, as well as greatness of authority and power. See Genesis 24:35. Arba was the father of Anak; ch. Judges 15:13 Joshua 21:11. He built or fortified Kir-jath, or made it the city of his residence, after the manner of princes, and perhaps was there buried. Hence its name. See Numbers 13:33 and particularly Genesis 13:18.

And the land had rest from war— The sacred writer repeats what he had said before, because, having gone aside by way of digression, which had a little diverted him from the history of the division of the conquered country, and now coming to that interesting detail, he would shew, that the enemies who remained still in the land of Canaan dared not lift the head to hinder the disposition of their territories.

Caleb, in right of former promise, when now the land was about to be divided, puts in his claim for a particular possession in Hebron, which, as being given him of God, ought not to be put into a lot, God's will being determined before by his promise. The children of Judah accompany him to support his plea, which he urges with great simplicity, deep piety, and noble courage.
1. He mentions his faithful report among the faithless spies; not by way of proud boasting, but to the honour of God, whom he followed, speaking the truth from his heart. Note; (1.) It is not pride, but due acknowledgment, to declare what a gracious God has done for us, and by us. (2.) The more singular our fidelity to God has been, the more commendable. (3.) They who serve God in simplicity in their youth, will find the comfort and blessing of it when they are old.

2. He repeats his long experience of God's care of him, as kept alive for the fulfilment of the promise. Five-and-forty years he had been preserved, when all the men of his own age had long since been buried: and he not only lived, but was as strong as ever, as if reserved at eighty-five more gloriously to magnify the Divine power, in the destruction of those sons of Anak who had so terrified the host of Israel in the wilderness. Note; (1.) The issues of life are in God's hand; nor age, nor sickness, nor the sword, can hurt those whose preservation he determines. (2.) Every year that we are spared is a call for new thankfulness to him who keepeth our souls in life. (3.) The death of others around us should make us more sensible of the mercy which preserves us. (4.) A vigorous old age is an unusual blessing.

3. He offers now, aged as he was, to dispossess the Anakims, who had, after the taking of the city of Hebron, retired to the fastnesses of the mountains; and doubts not but by the Divine blessing, to which alone he trusted, to be able to subdue them. Note; (1.) They, who trust in God, will never find themselves disappointed of their hope. (2.) If God be with us, the sons of Anak, our giant-like corruptions, must fall before us.

4. Joshua admits the claim, and consents to the offer; commends his courage, and prays for his success. Thus Caleb received his reward for having wholly followed the Lord; and they who carefully copy his steps shall as surely share his blessing in a better country, that is, a heavenly.