Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.

JOSHUA 14:12KJV
Know the Bible

Joshua 14:12 (KJV)

What does Joshua 14:12 mean?

Joshua 14:12 records Caleb asking Joshua to give him the mountain region that God had promised him, even though it was inhabited by the Anakim, a group known for their strength and fortified cities. Caleb expresses confidence that, with the LORD’s help, he will be able to drive out these powerful inhabitants as God had said.

In this scene, Caleb is speaking directly to Joshua as the Israelites are dividing up the land of Canaan. Caleb reminds Joshua of God’s earlier promise and points out the challenges—the Anakim and their strong, walled cities—but he trusts that God will enable him to overcome them. This verse highlights Caleb’s faith in God’s promise and his willingness to face difficult obstacles because of that trust.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 14:12

  • “Mountain” (הַר, har, H2022) refers to a hill country or mountainous region. Caleb is not asking for an easy inheritance, but for a challenging area known for its difficult terrain and strong enemies.
  • “Anakims” (עֲנָקִים, ‘anaqim, H6062) were a people famous for their size and strength. Mentioning them emphasizes the real danger and difficulty Caleb is willing to face.
  • “Fenced” (בָּצוּר, batsur, H1219) describes cities that are fortified or walled, underlining the military strength of the inhabitants and the challenge ahead.
  • “Drive… out” (יָרַשׁ, yarash, H3423) means to dispossess or expel. Caleb’s use of this word shows his intent to fully take possession of the land, not just live alongside its current occupants.

Why Joshua 14:12 matters

  • Joshua 14:12 clears up the idea that Caleb’s request was for an easy reward; instead, he asks for the most difficult territory, showing his faith and courage.
  • The verse emphasizes that Caleb’s confidence is not in his own strength but in the LORD (יהוה, YHWH, H3068) being with him, connecting his actions directly to God’s promise.
  • This moment ties back to the earlier story in Numbers, where Caleb stood out for trusting God’s word about the land, and now, decades later, he still acts on that same trust.

Where else these words appear

“Anakims” Hebrew H6062 · used in 9 verses

  • Deuteronomy 1:28 Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there.
  • Deuteronomy 2:11 Which also were accounted giants, as the Anakims; but the Moabites call them Emims.
  • Joshua 11:21 And at that time came Joshua, and cut off the Anakims from the mountains, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the mountains of Judah, and from all the mountains of Israel: Joshua destroyed them utterly with their cities.

“be” Hebrew H194 · used in 11 verses

  • Genesis 16:2 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.
  • Joshua 9:7 And the men of Israel said unto the Hivites, Peradventure ye dwell among us; and how shall we make a league with you?
  • 2 Kings 19:4 It may be the LORD thy God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God; and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that are left.

“with” Hebrew H854 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 4:1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.
  • Genesis 19:13 For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it.
  • Exodus 39:3 And they did beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, with cunning work.

“fenced” Hebrew H1219 · used in 38 verses

  • Genesis 11:6 And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
  • 2 Kings 19:25 Hast thou not heard long ago how I have done it, and of ancient times that I have formed it? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste fenced cities into ruinous heaps.
  • Isaiah 36:1 Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah, that Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the defenced cities of Judah, and took them.