John Calvin Commentary Joshua 14:13

"And Joshua blessed him; and he gave Hebron unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh for an inheritance." — Joshua 14:13 (ASV)

And Joshua blessed him, etc. He prayed so earnestly to show the delight he felt. For it was beneficial, by way of example, to praise his courage, so that others might be encouraged to overcome all their fears. It was just as if he had gained a high vantage point from which he could look down upon the giants. The blessing of Caleb, therefore, includes in it praise that can have the effect of an exhortation to the people.

At the end of the chapter, it is said that the name of Hebron was Ciriath-Arba (Kirjath-Arba). Here, it should be noted that this does not refer to the mountain itself, but to the principal city, which is frequently mentioned in Scripture. It is said to have received this surname from a giant famous for his stature. This refutes the speculation of those commentators who insist that it was so named because it was the burial-place of four patriarchs: Adam, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

It is clear that Caleb, in making the request, had not been seeking immediate ease or private advantage, since he did not aspire to the place given to him until many years later. Therefore, it was as much in the interest of the whole people as of one private family that what, up to that point, depended on the incomprehensible grace of God and was treasured up only in hope, should be granted as a special favor. A grant that could not take effect without a wonderful manifestation of divine power could hardly be seen as unfair or likely to cause resentment.

A question, however, arises. Since Hebron not only became the Levites' portion but was also one of the cities of refuge, how could the grant to Caleb remain valid? If we say that Caleb was content with other towns and resigned his right to the Levites, it is clear that the difficulty is not resolved, because Caleb is distinctly designated as the owner of that city. But if we consider that only the right to live in the cities was granted to the Levites, there is no inconsistency. Meanwhile, considerable praise is due to Caleb's moderation, who, in a place made his own by an extraordinary privilege, did not refuse to offer hospitality to the Levites.