And the name of Hebron before, was Kiriath-Arba, which Arba was a great man among the Anakims: and the land had rest from warre. Joshua 14:15 (KJV)
The book of Joshua records the conquest and division of the Promised Land among the Israelites after the death of Moses. Joshua led the people into Canaan to claim the land that God had promised to Abraham and his descendants. In this passage Joshua is assigning land to the tribes of Israel, and Hebron is highlighted as a significant city in the southern part of Canaan, important both geographically and spiritually.
The verse notes that the name of Hebron before was Kirjath‑arba, which means “City of Arba.” Arba is described as a great man among the Anakims, a group of giants who inhabited the land before the Israelites. The biblical text identifies Arba as the father of Anak, the ancestor of the Anakim (Joshua 15:13). The name change signals the shift of ownership and control from the Anakim to the Israelites.
Hebron held considerable historical and religious significance. It was the burial place of Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Leah (Genesis 23:19; Genesis 49:29‑32). The city was also designated as one of the cities of refuge (Joshua 20:7) and was assigned to the tribe of Judah (Joshua 15:13).
The statement that “the land had rest from war” indicates the conclusion of the major military campaigns of the conquest. While smaller conflicts may have continued, the Israelites could now begin to settle in the Promised Land with a period of relative peace. This rest underscores God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises and providing a secure foundation for the people of Israel as they established themselves in the land He gave them.
