“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.”
Context: The book of Joshua records the conquest and division of the Promised Land among the Israelites. After the death of Moses, Joshua led the Israelites into Canaan to claim the land that God had promised to Abraham and his descendants.
Historical background: In this particular verse, Joshua is dividing the land among the tribes of Israel. Hebron, mentioned here, was a significant city in the southern part of Canaan. It was an important city both geographically and spiritually.
Name change: The verse starts by mentioning that the name of Hebron before was Kirjath-arba. This refers to the previous name of the city. Kirjath-arba means “City of Arba.” Arba was a great man among the Anakims. The Anakims were a group of giants or tall people who inhabited the land before the Israelites. Arba was the father of Anak, who was considered the ancestor of the Anakim (Joshua 15:13). The name change indicates the shift of ownership and control from the Anakim to the Israelites.
Significance of Hebron: Hebron was an important city for several reasons. Firstly, it held historical and religious significance because it was the burial place of Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Leah (Genesis 23:19; Genesis 49:29-32). Secondly, Hebron was one of the cities of refuge designated for those who accidentally caused the death of another person (Joshua 20:7). Lastly, Hebron was one of the cities assigned to the tribe of Judah (Joshua 15:13).
Rest from war: The verse concludes by stating that the land had rest from war. This signifies that the conquest of Canaan was largely completed, and the Israelites had gained control over the land. It doesn’t imply that there were no more battles or conflicts, but rather that the major battles were over, and the Israelites could begin to settle in the land that God had given them.
Overall, Joshua 14:15 highlights the renaming of Hebron, the significance of the city, and the temporary rest from war as the Israelites began to establish themselves in the Promised Land. It demonstrates God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises and His provision for His people.
