Judges 1:20

And they gave Hebron unto Caleb, as Moses said: and he expelled thence the three sons of Anak.

Judges 1:20 (KJV)

Context

This verse appears in the opening chapter of Judges, which recounts how the tribes of Israel continued the conquest of Canaan after Joshua’s leadership. The focus here is on the tribe of Judah and the fulfillment of a specific promise to Caleb. The giving of Hebron to Caleb is recorded as a direct answer to what “Moses said,” linking this moment to the earlier instructions given through God’s servant.

Meaning

Caleb was one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore Canaan. Unlike the others, he and Joshua returned with a faithful report, trusting that God would give them the land (Numbers 13:30). Because of that faith, God promised Caleb and his descendants an inheritance in Canaan (Numbers 14:24). Judges 1:20 shows that promise being kept: the Israelites gave Hebron to Caleb, and he expelled the three sons of Anak from the city.

Hebron was a significant city, also known as Kirjath Arba, named after Arba, the father of Anak, who was a great man among the Anakim (Joshua 14:15). The Anakim were a powerful and formidable people, noted for their tall stature. The biblical text does not directly link them to the Nephilim, and the Bible does not explicitly state that Anak or the Anakim were descendants of the Nephilim.

The three sons of Anak are named in Joshua 15:14 as Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai. The account in Judges 1:20 parallels the earlier record in Joshua 15:13-14, confirming that this was the same expedition and the same fulfillment. A distinction is made between the city of Hebron, which was given to the Levites as a city of refuge (Joshua 21:11-13), and the fields and villages surrounding the city, which were given to Caleb for his possession (Joshua 21:12).

Biblical connections

This verse connects directly to the promise made to Caleb in Numbers 14:24 and to the record of its fulfillment in Joshua 14:13 and Joshua 15:13-14. The parallel accounts confirm that the giving of Hebron to Caleb was done in the times of Joshua, by him and all the people, according to the order of Moses.

Application

Caleb’s story serves as an inspiration for believers today, reminding us to trust in God’s promises and have faith in His ability to fulfil them. Despite the challenges posed by the presence of the Anakim, he trusted that God would give him victory over them. Caleb, with God’s help, overcame the Anakim and took possession of the city, fulfilling the promise made to him. This verse demonstrates Caleb’s faithfulness, courage, and trust in God’s promises, and it encourages us to rely on God’s faithfulness even when obstacles seem overwhelming.

Reflection

Judges 1:20 recounts how Caleb received Hebron as his inheritance and successfully drove out the three sons of Anak who occupied the city. It emphasizes Caleb’s faith in God’s promises and the Israelites’ ongoing conquest of the Promised Land. The verse also reminds us that God’s promises are reliable and that faith leads to victorious possession, even at an advanced age, as Caleb demonstrated.