Lexical Summary Yephunneh: Jephunneh Original Word: יְפֻנֶּה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Jephunneh From panah; he will be prepared; Jephunneh, the name of two Israelites -- Jephunneh. see HEBREW panah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom panah Definition father of Caleb, also an Asherite NASB Translation Jephunneh (16). Brown-Driver-Briggs יְפֻנֶּה16 proper name, masculine (on form compare LagBN 134); — 1 father of Caleb Numbers 13:6; Numbers 14:6; Joshua 14:6,13; 1 Chronicles 4:15 10t., Ιεφοννη. 2 Asherite 1 Chronicles 7:38, Ιφινα, A Ιεφιηλ, ᵐ5L Ιεφοννη. ִמּנְחָס see מִּינְחָס, מְּנוּאֵל, מְּנִיאֵל see פנה above, פניים see מְּנִינִים. מָּנִים, etc., see פנה below, פנן (√ of following; apparently "" from of פנה). Topical Lexicon Identity and Family Connections Jephunneh is best known as the father of Caleb, the faithful spy and later tribal leader of Judah (Numbers 13:6). Though designated “the Kenizzite,” he is inseparably linked to the tribe of Judah through Caleb’s full tribal standing and inheritance. Scripture never records Jephunneh’s own actions, yet his name sits at the head of a line that demonstrates covenant faith, military valor, and territorial possession within Israel. Scriptural Occurrences Sixteen verses name Jephunneh. Fourteen refer to “Caleb son of Jephunneh” (for example Numbers 14:30; Joshua 14:14), one records the allotment of priestly towns (“…they had given to Caleb son of Jephunneh,” 1 Chronicles 6:56), and one lists Jephunneh as a descendant of Asher (1 Chronicles 7:38), showing that a second man bore the same name. The concentration of references around Caleb underscores Jephunneh’s enduring reputation through his son’s testimony. Kenizzite Integration into Judah Numbers 32:12 calls Caleb “the Kenizzite,” indicating non-Israelite ancestry (cf. Genesis 15:19). The Kenizzites were early inhabitants of Canaan; by Jephunneh’s day at least one Kenizzite family had embraced the covenant community of Israel. Their full inclusion is evident: Caleb is appointed Judaean spy (Numbers 13:6); receives territory “among the sons of Judah” (Joshua 15:13); and transmits that inheritance to his descendants. Jephunneh therefore stands as an Old Testament witness to the grafting of Gentiles into the people of God on the basis of wholehearted faith. Wholehearted Devotion and the Wilderness Narrative While the older generation perished, Caleb “son of Jephunneh” is repeatedly singled out: The consistent pairing of Caleb’s name with his father’s highlights the parental influence behind such faith. Jephunneh had evidently trained a son whose loyalty stood in stark contrast to the unbelief of the majority. The honor given to Caleb redounds to Jephunneh, affirming Proverbs 22:6 in narrative form. Inheritance of Hebron Joshua 14 recounts Caleb’s request for the hill country of Hebron. Joshua “gave him Hebron as an inheritance” (Joshua 14:13) and Scripture again ties the grant to his lineage: “Therefore Hebron still belongs to Caleb son of Jephunneh…” (Joshua 14:14). This enduring possession, later confirmed for the Levites while fields remained Caleb’s (Joshua 21:12; 1 Chronicles 6:56), becomes a tangible memorial of Jephunneh’s household’s faith. Genealogical Continuity 1 Chronicles 4:15 names Caleb’s sons—“Iru, Elah, and Naam”—and a grandson Kenaz, whose descendants include Othniel, Israel’s first judge (Judges 1:13; 3:9). Thus the line that began with Jephunneh produces national deliverance generations later. The secondary Jephunneh in 1 Chronicles 7:38 appears in Asher’s genealogy, demonstrating that the name retained honorable recognition beyond Judah. Ministerial Significance 1. Discipleship Model: Jephunneh’s identity is inseparably bound to Caleb’s exemplary obedience. Fathers are reminded that shaping the next generation’s faith may constitute their greatest ministry. Prophetic and Typological Reflections Hebron—granted to the house of Jephunneh—later becomes David’s first royal seat (2 Samuel 2:1–4) and a priestly city, linking kingly and priestly themes. Caleb’s conquest of Anakim-dominated Hebron prefigures Christ’s decisive victory over seemingly invincible foes, achieved through steadfast faith. The inheritance secured “to this day” (Joshua 14:14) anticipates the believer’s imperishable inheritance kept in heaven (1 Peter 1:4). Practical Application for Believers • Persevering Faith: Jephunneh’s household challenges every generation to “follow the LORD wholeheartedly,” rejecting the prevailing unbelief of the crowd. Summary Jephunneh, though personally silent in the narrative, anchors a lineage of faith, courage, and covenant inheritance. His name frames the account of Caleb, extends into Levitical allotments, resurfaces in later genealogies, and points forward to the Gospel’s inclusive scope. Every mention of him is a quiet affirmation that the LORD remembers those who trust Him and secures their heritage forever. Forms and Transliterations יְפֻנֶּ֑ה יְפֻנֶּ֔ה יְפֻנֶּ֖ה יְפֻנֶּ֗ה יְפֻנֶּ֤ה יְפֻנֶּ֥ה יְפֻנֶּֽה׃ יְפֻנֶּה֙ יפנה יפנה׃ yə·p̄un·neh yefunNeh yəp̄unnehLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 13:6 HEB: כָּלֵ֖ב בֶּן־ יְפֻנֶּֽה׃ NAS: Caleb the son of Jephunneh; KJV: Caleb the son of Jephunneh. INT: Caleb the son of Jephunneh Numbers 14:6 Numbers 14:30 Numbers 14:38 Numbers 26:65 Numbers 32:12 Numbers 34:19 Deuteronomy 1:36 Joshua 14:6 Joshua 14:13 Joshua 14:14 Joshua 15:13 Joshua 21:12 1 Chronicles 4:15 1 Chronicles 6:56 1 Chronicles 7:38 16 Occurrences |
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