Joshua 14:1-15

14:4-5 | Joseph’s family received a double inheritance, with his sons Manasseh and Ephriam each heading a tribe (Gen. 48). Jacob had declared these boys to be like sons to him (Gen. 48:5).

14:6 | Caleb was not a full-blooded Israelite. His father, Jephunneh, was a Kenizzite (Num. 13:6; 14:30). The Kenizzites were one of the tribes to be driven out of the land. Somehow Caleb and his family ended up in Egypt with the Israelites and became part of the Israelite community. As Caleb came to understand the history of God’s people, he fell in love with the God they served and devote his life to Him.

14:8 | Nearly every time Caleb is mentioned in Scripture, he is described as having** wholly followed the LORD**. Because Caleb exhibited an obedient spirit and consistent faith even when those around him failed to believe God’s promises (Num. 13:26-14:10), God promised that he would enter the Promised Land (Num. 14:24).

14:12-15 | When Caleb came before Joshua to request his portion in the land, he specifically asked for the area known as Hebron – where the Anakim lived – so he could be the one to drive out these giants. This was also a sacred place in Canaan because the cave of Machpelah was there – the burial place of Sarah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Rebekah (Gen. 23:19; 25:9; 49:29-31; 50:13). It was the only sacred burial site in the land of Canaan at this time.