Joshua 14:15 Meaning and Explanation
“And the name of Hebron before was Kirjatharba; which Arba was a great man among the Anakims. And the land had rest from war.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Hebron was formerly named for Arba, a great man of the Anakim, and the chapter ends with the land resting from war.
What Does Joshua 14:15 Mean?
A closing note explains that Hebron once bore the name Kirjath-arba, after Arba, a great man among the Anakim. The city that had belonged to a giant now passes to a faithful follower of God. The chapter then ends on a note of deep calm: and the land had rest from war.
Rest is the word God's people had longed for through bondage, wilderness, and conquest. The strongholds of the giants give way, and the fighting ceases. This quiet is a foretaste of a greater rest still promised to the people of God, the settled peace that comes when every enemy is subdued and the inheritance is secure. After long warfare, the land breathes; and in that stillness the faithfulness of God is plainly seen.
Joshua 14:15 in the Original Language
shaqat (שָׁקַט), 'had rest' -- to be quiet and undisturbed, the settled calm that follows when conflict ceases.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua 14:15
What does Joshua 14:15 mean?
Hebron was formerly named for Arba, a great man of the Anakim, and the chapter ends with the land resting from war.