Caleb
| Caleb | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Period | Desert Period (Around the 15th century B.C.) |
| Family | Father: Jephunneh
Children: Aksah Son-in-law: Othniel |
| Activity area | Desert, Hebron in Canaan |
| Major achievements | Explored Canaan as the leader of the tribe of Judah Entered Canaan with Joshua |
Caleb (Hebrew: כָּלֵב)[1] was one of the twelve spies sent to explore the land of Canaan, representing the tribe of Judah. Of the 600,000 men who left Egypt during the Exodus, only Caleb and Joshua were permitted to enter the Promised Land. Even in his old age, Caleb actively took part in the conquest of Canaan—driving out the Anakite giants and claiming Hebron as his inheritance. The Bible portrays him as a man who followed God with wholehearted devotion.
Historical Background
The Israelites endured slavery in Egypt for about 400 years, suffering under harsh conditions. Through Moses, God brought judgment upon Egypt and led His people out through the miraculous events of the Passover. Despite Pharaoh’s army pursuing them with great force, the Israelites crossed the Red Sea safely with God’s intervention. Witnessing God’s mighty power firsthand, they journeyed through the wilderness toward Canaan—the land flowing with milk and honey—that God had promised them.
Caleb’s Life and Major Events
Exploring Canaan
After more than a year of traveling, the Israelites arrived at Kadesh Barnea, near the border of Canaan. In obedience to God’s command, Moses appointed a representative from each of the twelve tribes to scout the land. Caleb was chosen to represent the tribe of Judah.[2] The twelve spies explored the land for forty days and returned with samples of its abundant fruit, confirming that Canaan was indeed a fertile and bountiful land. However, ten of the spies gave a discouraging report, focusing on the strength of the inhabitants and the fortified cities.[3] Upon hearing their words, the people became fearful—but Caleb quieted the crowd and boldly declared:
Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.”
Caleb spoke with unwavering faith, declaring that although the inhabitants of Canaan were strong, they could surely be defeated—because God had promised to give the land to Israel. But when the ten other spies described how they felt like grasshoppers in comparison to the Anakites, the giants of the land, the entire assembly became disheartened. That night, the people grumbled against Moses and Aaron, crying out, “Why did the LORD bring us to this land only to die by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder! Let us go back to Egypt.”[4] In their fear, they forgot the God who had performed great miracles and displayed His power in Egypt and the wilderness. They were overcome by doubt and failed to trust in His promise. Witnessing this, Joshua and Caleb tore their clothes in grief and pleaded with the people to trust in God.
Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”
The people sought to stone them. At that moment, the glory of the Lord appeared at the Tent of Meeting before all the Israelites. God rebuked the people for their unbelief, declaring that everyone aged twenty and older who had grumbled against Him would not enter the Promised Land—they would die in the desert. Because the spies had explored the land for forty days, God decreed that the Israelites would wander in the wilderness for forty years, one year for each day. Only Joshua and Caleb would survive to enter Canaan. As a reward for Caleb’s wholehearted devotion, God promised that the land he had walked upon would be given to him and his descendants as a lasting inheritance.[5]
Conquest of Hebron
As the Israelites approached the end of their 40-year journey through the desert, Moses died, and Joshua succeeded him as their leader.[6] Under Joshua’s guidance, they observed the Passover and, that same year, finally entered the land of Canaan. Beginning with Jericho, they proceeded to conquer central, southern, and northern Canaan in succession.[7] After capturing more than 30 cities, God commanded them to divide the land among the tribes—including territories not yet fully subdued. The Israelites then cast lots to allocate the land. When the time came to distribute the land west of the Jordan, Caleb came forward to speak with Joshua.
Now the men of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know what the LORD said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh Barnea about you and me. I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly. So on that day Moses swore to me, ‘The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.’ . . . Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.”
Caleb had not forgotten the promise God made to him 45 years earlier: “The land where your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your descendants forever.” Honoring Caleb’s unwavering faith, Joshua blessed him and granted him the land he had requested. Hebron—a large, fortified city occupied by some of the strongest people in Canaan—stood as Caleb’s chosen inheritance. At 85 years old, Caleb rose to the challenge, drove out the Anakites, and claimed Hebron as his own. He then made a declaration: whoever captured Kiriath Sepher (also known as Debir), a nearby city to the south, would receive his daughter Aksah in marriage. His nephew Othniel succeeded in the conquest and became Caleb’s son-in-law.[8] Later, Hebron was designated as one of the cities of refuge for those guilty of unintentional manslaughter[9] and became a home for the descendants of Aaron, the priestly line.[10]
Lesson
“But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.”
The ten spies who explored Canaan said that conquering the land was impossible, as its inhabitants were powerful and its cities heavily fortified. However, Caleb boldly assured victory, saying, “We will surely overcome because the LORD is with us,” and “We will swallow them up.” With such unwavering faith and determination, Caleb, along with Joshua, was the only member of the first generation of the Exodus to enter Canaan. Even after setting foot in the promised land, his steadfast faith led him to win the battles of conquest. Through his absolute loyalty and obedience to God, Caleb received Canaan as his inheritance. His unwavering faith serves as a model for believers who seek to inherit the heavenly Canaan, the kingdom of heaven.
Related videos
- Sermon: Faith in God