The big picture
Joshua 14 opens in verse 1 with “And these are the countries which the children of Israel inherited in the land of…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 8 with “Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I…”, and closes in verse 15 with “And the name of Hebron before was Kirjath-arba; which Arba was a great man among the…” Repeated or prominent terms include LORD, Moses, inheritance, children, land. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Joshua · King James Version · 15Joshua 14:1-8
1–8: These are the countries which the children of Israel inherited in the…
Joshua 14:1–8 opens with “And these are the countries which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which…” and reaches “Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Joshua 14 develops its own movement around LORD, Moses, inheritance, children, land, with particular weight carried by children, LORD, Moses.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And these are the countries which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest…” Naming Israel and Canaan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“For Moses had given the inheritance of two tribes and an half tribe on the other side Jordan: but unto the Levites he…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
“As the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did, and they divided the land.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to espy out the land; and I…” The number forty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.
Joshua 14:1-8
King James Version1And these are the countries which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed for inheritance to them.
2By lot was their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half tribe.
3For Moses had given the inheritance of two tribes and an half tribe on the other side Jordan: but unto the Levites he gave none inheritance among them.
4For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: therefore they gave no part unto the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for their cattle and for their substance.
5As the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did, and they divided the land.
6Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadesh-barnea.
7Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart.
8Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God.
Joshua 14:9-15
9–15: Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have…
Joshua 14:9–15 opens with “And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be…” and reaches “And the name of Hebron before was Kirjath-arba; which Arba was a great man among the Anakims…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Joshua 14 develops its own movement around LORD, Moses, inheritance, children, land, with particular weight carried by LORD, Hebron, inheritance.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy…” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.
“And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this…” The number forty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.
“As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength…” Naming Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Joshua 14:9-15
King James Version9And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children’s for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God.
10And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old.
11As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.
12Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.
13And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.
14Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel.
15And the name of Hebron before was Kirjath-arba; which Arba was a great man among the Anakims. And the land had rest from war.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Joshua 14:1 begins with “And these are the countries which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the…”
Where the chapter turns
Joshua 14:6 forms a natural hinge: “Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said…”
The final note
Joshua 14:15 leaves the reader with “And the name of Hebron before was Kirjath-arba; which Arba was a great man among the Anakims. And the land had rest from war.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words LORD, Moses, inheritance, children, land, Israel help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
What contrasts the two royal encounters?
Melchizedek blesses God as the source of victory; Abram refuses a financial arrangement that would let Sodom claim credit for his wealth.
How does Abram treat Lot after their separation?
He risks resources to rescue him rather than treating earlier disagreement as a reason for abandonment.
KJV words made clear
- behold
- look, or pay close attention
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.