John Calvin Commentary Joshua 15:13

"And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a portion among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of Jehovah to Joshua, even Kiriath-arba, [which Arba was] the father of Anak (the same is Hebron)." — Joshua 15:13 (ASV)

And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh, etc. If we were to judge from the actual state of affairs, it would seem ridiculous to repeatedly celebrate an imaginary grant from which Caleb received no benefit while Joshua was alive. But in this, due praise is given both to the truth of God and to the faith of His saint in resting on His promise.

Therefore, although sneering men, and the inhabitants of the place itself, if the rumor had reached them, might have derided Caleb's futile anxiety and Joshua's empty generosity, the contempt expressed in this way would only have shown them to be arrogant mockers.

God eventually demonstrated the steadfastness of His decree by the outcome, and Caleb, even though he saw that he was unable to gain access to the mountain, testified that he was content with God's mere promise, the true exercise of faith consisting in a willingness to remain without the realization of things that have been promised until the time actually arrives.

Moreover, this passage, and others similar to it, teach us that the giants who are usually called Enakim were so named after their original ancestor, Enac, and that the word is therefore of Gentile origin.

We shall see shortly when Caleb routed the sons of Enac.

This passage also shows us that Caleb, when he cited Moses, was not making a mere pretense or saying anything that was not strictly true. For it is now clearly stated that Moses had appointed it so, in accordance with God's command.