Before the distribution of the land had been entered upon, Caleb, accompanied by the heads of his tribe, came forward with a special claim. Except Joshua, Caleb was now the oldest man in Israel. Caleb and Joshua were the only ones among the spies who had brought a good report of the Land of Promise, encouraging the people to go up and possess it in the name of the Lord. Caleb now reminded Joshua of the promise then made, as the reward of his faithfulness: "The land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's forever, because thou hast wholly followed the Lord." He therefore presented a request that Hebron he given him for a possession. Here had been for many years the home of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and here, in the cave of Machpelah, they were buried. 512 Hebron was the seat of the dreaded Anakim, whose formidable appearance had so terrified the spies, and through them destroyed the courage of all Israel. This, above all others, was the place which Caleb, trusting in the strength of God, chose for his inheritance.

Inden udskiftningen af landet tog sin begyndelse, fremkom Kaleb og overhovederne for hans stamme med en speciel anmodning. Næst efter Josua var Kaleb den ældste mand i Israel. Kaleb og Josua var de eneste af spejderne, der aflagde en positiv beretning om det forjættede land og opmuntrede folket til at drage op og tage det i besiddelse i Herrens navn. Nu mindede Kaleb Josua om det løfte, der dengang blev givet som belønning for hans trofasthed. "Det land, din fod har betrådt, skal være din og dine efterkommeres arvelod til evig tid, fordi du har vist Herren min Gud fuld lydighed." Han bad derfor om at få Hebron. Her havde Abraham, Isak og Jakob haft deres hjem i mange år, og her lå Makpelas hule, hvor de var begravet. Hebron var beboet af de frygtede anakitter, der var så store, at de havde gjort spejderne skrækslagne, og disse slog til gengæld modet ned hos hele Israel. Kaleb nærede et brændende ønske om at få dette sted som arvelod, og han bad om at få det i tillid til Guds hjælp.