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CALEB

(Heb. kālēḇ)

1. The third son of Hezron; brother of Jehrahmeel and Ram. In the genealogies of the Israelite tribes the descendants of Caleb are members of the family of Hezron, the clan of Perez, and the tribe of Judah (1 Chr. 2:9 [NRSV “Chelubai”], 18, 42). Although his genealogy in 1 Chr. 2:18-24; 2:42-55 is not intelligible, it is clear that his descendants were the leaders of important Judean clans for whom the towns of Hebron, Tappuah, Bethlehem, Kiriath-jearim, and others were named.

2. The son of Jephunneh, Kenizzite (Num. 13:6; 32:12), and father-in-law of Othniel, one of the first judges of Israel (Josh. 15:17). Originally an Edomite clan (Gen. 36:15, Kenaz) that settled in southern Palestine, the Kenizzites are listed among the people of Canaan who are to be dispossessed by the descendants of Abraham (15:19). The Calebites appear in 1 Sam. 25:3 as a group distinct from the tribe of Judah. Many scholars believe that the Calebites were a Kenizzite clan which was incorporated into the tribe of Judah during the reign of David. When Moses requested each tribe to designate a man to explore the land of Canaan, Caleb was selected because he was one of the leaders of Judah (Num. 13:3). He was sent as one of the 12 spies to scout the land of Canaan and bring a report to the people of Israel. While the other 10 spies brought a pessimistic report, Caleb and Joshua encouraged the people to trust in Yahweh and take possession of the land. Because of their faithfulness, Caleb and Joshua were allowed to enter the land and take part in the conquest of Canaan (Num. 13:1–14:10; Josh. 14:6; 13-14).

When Moses appointed a group of people responsible for distributing the land of Canaan, Caleb was selected to represent the tribe of Judah (Num. 34:19). He was 85 years old when he finished conquering the land assigned to his clan (Josh. 14:7, 10). Caleb received as his inheritance the city of Hebron, formally known as Kiriath-arba from which he expelled the three leaders of the Anakim (Josh. 14:13-15; 15:14). As a reward for Othniel’s conquest of Kiriath-sepher (Debir), Caleb gave his daughter Acsah in marriage (Josh. 15:15-19); since the text is not clear, it is not certain whether Othniel was Caleb’s brother or nephew. The land occupied by Caleb and his descendants was known as the Negeb of Caleb (1 Sam. 30:14). Its location is unknown, but it was probably situated S of Hebron, the area where Nabal, a descendant of Caleb, lived (1 Sam. 25:3).

Claude F. Mariottini

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

CALEB

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)