Caleb Claims Hebron or Kirjath Arba - Land of the Anakim

The main region God's Promised Land is on the West side of the river Jordan. The allocation of land was to be determined by drawing lots. As the land was allocated by Joshua, Caleb the son of Jephunneh, reminded Joshua of the inheritance promised to him. Caleb reminded Joshua that he was one of the spy (besides Joshua) who gave a encouraging report over 45 years ago, while the other spies discouraged against taking up God's promised land. Caleb reminded that the land which he spied upon would be given to him and that land was Hebron. Although 85 years old, Caleb felt as energetic and enthusiastic as before. Honouring the promise, Joshua gave his old compatriot the land of Hebron.

Again and again the reference is made about the species of giants called Anakim. These were the giants that the spies saw living in the land of Hebron, previously known as Kirjath Arba. The giants they saw were not the exception like Og King of Bashan, but there appeared to be a multitude of giants when Israel first spied on them. At the present time of the passage, 45 years later from the spying event, Israel had managed to defeat the enemies including the giants. In addition, the name Kirjath Arba, came from Arba which was the name of the greatest of these giants or Anakims.

See the passage on giants


Joshua 14

The Land Divided West of the Jordan

 1 These are the areas which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel distributed as an inheritance to them. 2 Their inheritance was by lot, as the LORD had commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes and the half-tribe. 3 For Moses had given the inheritance of the two tribes and the half-tribe on the other side of the Jordan; but to the Levites he had given no inheritance among them. 4 For the children of Joseph were two tribes: Manasseh and Ephraim. And they gave no part to the Levites in the land, except cities to dwell in, with their common-lands for their livestock and their property. 5 As the LORD had commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did; and they divided the land.

Caleb Inherits Hebron
 
6 Then the children of Judah came to Joshua in Gilgal. And Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him: “You know the word which the LORD said to Moses the man of God concerning you and me in Kadesh Barnea. 7 I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to spy out the land, and I brought back word to him as it was in my heart. 8 Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt, but I wholly followed the LORD my God. 9 So Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land where your foot has trodden shall be your inheritance and your children’s forever, because you have wholly followed the LORD my God.’ 10 And now, behold, the LORD has kept me alive, as He said, these forty-five years, ever since the LORD spoke this word to Moses while Israel wandered in the wilderness; and now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old. 11 As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in. 12 Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the LORD spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the LORD will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the LORD said.”
13 And Joshua blessed him, and gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh as an inheritance. 14 Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel. 15 And the name of Hebron formerly was Kirjath Arba (Arba was the greatest man among the Anakim).
Then the land had rest from war.