Judges EraOld Testament

Othniel

JoshuaJudges1 Chronicles
When

c. 1370 BC· In the text

Placed by the story. The date is a rough guide. How the dates are worked out

Name meaning

uncertain — traditionally "force of God" · Hebrew

The ending is the word for God, and the first part is not explained with certainty.

About

Son of Kenaz and kinsman of Caleb. Judges names him as son of Kenaz, the younger brother of Caleb, which can be read as making Othniel either the brother of Caleb or the son of his brother. Caleb promised his daughter Achsah to whoever took Kiriath-sepher, also called Debir. Othniel took it and married her. Later Israel served Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia eight years and cried to the Lord, and the Lord raised up Othniel as a deliverer. The Spirit of the Lord came upon him, he judged Israel and went to war, and for forty years the land had rest. He is the first judge the book of Judges names.

Relationships
RelativeCalebKinsman, read as Othniel's brother or father's brother, who gave Othniel his daughter Achsah
Key Scripture AppearancesKJV
Joshua 15:17
And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife.Joshua 15:17, KJV
Judges 3:9
And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother.Judges 3:9, KJV
Judges 3:10
And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the LORD delivered Chushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushan-rishathaim.Judges 3:10, KJV
Judges 3:11
And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died.Judges 3:11, KJV

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