Joshua 14:14
Hebron 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.
Original Language Analysis
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
1 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כֵּ֣ן
H3651
כֵּ֣ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
2 of 19
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
הָיְתָֽה
H1961
הָיְתָֽה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
3 of 19
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בֶּן
the son
H1121
בֶּן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
6 of 19
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
לְֽנַחֲלָ֔ה
therefore became the inheritance
H5159
לְֽנַחֲלָ֔ה
therefore became the inheritance
Strong's:
H5159
Word #:
9 of 19
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
עַ֖ד
H5704
עַ֖ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
10 of 19
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
הַיּ֣וֹם
unto this day
H3117
הַיּ֣וֹם
unto this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
11 of 19
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַזֶּ֑ה
H2088
יַ֚עַן
H3282
יַ֚עַן
Strong's:
H3282
Word #:
13 of 19
properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
14 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
מִלֵּ֔א
because that he wholly
H4390
מִלֵּ֔א
because that he wholly
Strong's:
H4390
Word #:
15 of 19
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
אַֽחֲרֵ֕י
followed
H310
אַֽחֲרֵ֕י
followed
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
16 of 19
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
יְהוָ֖ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
17 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Historical Context
Hebron was located in the hill country of Judah, about 19 miles south of Jerusalem at an elevation of 3,040 feet. It was one of the cities of the Anakim giants (Numbers 13:22, 33), making Caleb's conquest at age 85 particularly remarkable. Hebron later became a city of refuge and Levitical city (Joshua 20:7, 21:13), and David's first capital (2 Samuel 2:1-11).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Caleb's 45-year wait between promise and possession encourage believers experiencing delays in seeing God's promises fulfilled?
- What does 'wholly followed the LORD' look like in practical terms for Christians today?
- How can one generation's faithfulness secure blessing for future generations in your family or church?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day—Hebron (חֶבְרוֹן, "association/alliance") was one of Canaan's most ancient cities, associated with Abraham (Genesis 13:18, 23:2). That Caleb (כָּלֵב, "dog" or "wholehearted") received it as personal inheritance rewards his faithfulness 45 years earlier when he, alone with Joshua, brought a good report about the land (Numbers 13-14).
Because that he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel—The Hebrew phrase mala acharei YHWH (מִלֵּא אַחֲרֵי יְהוָה, "filled up after the LORD") means complete, unreserved obedience. Caleb's wholehearted devotion contrasted with the ten spies' fearful unbelief. The phrase "unto this day" indicates this text was written while Caleb's descendants still possessed Hebron, providing ongoing testimony that faithfulness receives reward. Caleb's story demonstrates that one generation's faith secures blessing for subsequent generations—his wholehearted following resulted in multi-generational inheritance.