First judge of Israel, Caleb's nephew
Othniel
Named in 6 verses across 3 books, first in Joshua 15:17.
עׇתְנִיאֵלOthniel
The name means “the hour of God.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
About Othniel Written by AI
Othniel was the son of Kenaz and the nephew of Caleb, one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan (Joshua 15:17; Judges 1:13; 1 Chronicles 4:13). He is described as the first judge of Israel, who delivered the people from the oppression of Cushan-Rishathaim, king of Mesopotamia (Judges 3:9 to 10). Othniel's story begins when Caleb offers his daughter Achsah in marriage to whoever captures the city of Debir (also known as Kiriath-Sepher) (Joshua 15:16; Judges 1:12). Othniel successfully takes the city and marries Achsah (Joshua 15:17; Judges 1:13). Later, when the Israelites fall into sin and are oppressed by Cushan-Rishathaim, they cry out to the Lord for help (Judges 3:8 to 9). God raises up Othniel as a deliverer, and the Spirit of the Lord comes upon him (Judges 3:10). Othniel goes to war against Cushan-Rishathaim and prevails, bringing peace to the land for forty years until his death (Judges 3:10 to 11). Othniel is also mentioned as the leader of the tribe of Judah during the reign of King David (1 Chronicles 27:15).
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
Lion of God, the first of the judges. His wife Achsah was the daughter of Caleb (Josh. 15:16, 17; Judg. 1:13). He gained her hand as a reward for his bravery in leading a successful expedition against Debir (q.v.). Some thirty years after the death of Joshua, the Israelites fell under the subjection of Chushan-rishathaim (q.v.), the king of Mesopotamia. He oppressed them for full eight years, when they “cried” unto Jehovah, and Othniel was raised up to be their deliverer. He was the younger brother of Caleb (Judg. 3:8, 9-11). He is the only judge mentioned connected with the tribe of Judah. Under him the land had rest forty years.
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
Where the Bible names him
- Joshua 15:17
So Othniel son of Caleb’s brother Kenaz captured the city, and Caleb gave his daughter Acsah to him in marriage.
- Judges 1:13
So Othniel son of Caleb’s younger brother Kenaz captured the city, and Caleb gave his daughter Acsah to him in marriage.
- Judges 3:9
But when the Israelites cried out to the LORD, He raised up Othniel son of Caleb’s younger brother Kenaz as a deliverer to save them.
- Judges 3:11
So the land had rest for forty years, until Othniel son of Kenaz died.
- 1 Chronicles 4:13
The sons of Kenaz: Othniel and Seraiah. The sons of Othniel: Hathath and Meonothai.
- 1 Chronicles 27:15
The twelfth, for the twelfth month, was Heldai the Netophathite, from the family of Othniel. There were 24,000 men in his division.
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.