10. Hebron. This city was about halfway between Jerusalem and Beersheba, 20 from either city, in the highest part of the mountains of Judah, 3,040 above sea level. The earlier name of the city was Kirjath-arba, which means “city of Arba.” Arba was the father of Anak (Joshua 15:13; 21:11; 14:15). Hebron was the burial place of Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Leah.
The author, in this verse, is evidently making a general statement or survey concerning the capture of Hebron, for later in the chapter he states that Caleb captured Hebron and slew the three sons of Anak ( 20).
Sheshai. The three giants listed are also mentioned in connection with Caleb’s visit to the city years before in company with the ten spies (Num. 13:22, 28). In Judges 1:20 they are called the sons of Anak, which may mean that they were three clans of the Anakim.