Joshua 14:6-15

JOSHUA—NOTE ON Joshua 14:6 Caleb receives his inheritance of Hebron, which Moses swore to give him many years before (v. Joshua 14:9; Deuteronomy 1:36). Caleb was 40 years old when Moses sent him as a spy (Joshua 14:7). From that time to the entry into the land of Canaan was another 38 years (Deuteronomy 2:14), making Caleb 78 years old at the beginning of the conquest. Caleb receives his territory at age 85, seven years after the start of the conquest (Joshua 14:10). Caleb maintains that he will be able to drive out from Hebron the formidable Anakim, provided that the LORD will be with him (v. Joshua 14:12). Joshua was already credited with cutting off the Anakim from Hebron (Joshua 11:21). Either the Anakim have strengthened their position in Hebron (11:22 mentions some survivors) or, more likely, as commander-in-chief Joshua supported and received general credit for Caleb’s eventual defeat of the Anakim (Joshua 14:12; Joshua 15:14).