Joshua 14:6-15

The Possession of Caleb

6. in Gilgal Where the casting of the lots commenced.

and Caleb the son of Jephunneh Caleb was a prince of the tribe of Judah, a descendant of Hezron, the son of Pharez, and grandson of Judah (1Ch 2:5; 1 Chronicles 2:18; 1 Chronicles 2:25). He is first mentioned in the list of the princes who were sent to search the land of Canaan in the second year of the Exodus (Numbers 13:6), and he and Joshua were the only two who on their return encouraged the Israelites to go up and take possession of the land. In the plague that ensued, these two alone were spared, and deemed worthy to enter the Promised Land (Numbers 14:24; Numbers 14:30; Numbers 26:65).

the Kenezite His younger brother Othniel, afterwards the first Judge, is also called "the son of Kenaz" (Joshua 15:17; Judges 1:13; Judges 3:9; Judges 3:11). Hence (a) some have thought he was a foreigner by birth, descended from the Edomite tribe spoken of in Genesis 15:19, a proselyte who had been incorporated into the tribe of Judah (comp. Genesis 36:15; Genesis 36:42); (b) others hold that even if Jephunneh was on the father's side descended from this people, on the mother's he came from Judah, and that this Kenaz probably belonged to the posterity of Judah of whom nothing further is known. From 1 Chronicles 4:15 it appears that one of Caleb's sons was called Kenaz, and it is clear that the name was held in great affection by the family, and it was customary both with Hebrews and Arabs to perpetuate certain family names. See Keil's Commentary.

Thou knowest Caleb begins by reminding his friend and leader of the word which Jehovah had spoken to Moses at Kadesh-barnea concerning them both (Numbers 14:24).

in Kadesh-barnea Next to Sinai, the most important of all the resting-places of the children of Israel (see Deuteronomy 33:2).