The term "Calebite" refers to the descendants of Caleb, a prominent figure in the Hebrew Bible. Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, is best known for his faithfulness and courage as one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan. His lineage and legacy are significant in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of the tribe of Judah.

Biblical Background

Caleb is first introduced in the Book of Numbers as one of the twelve spies chosen to scout the Promised Land (Numbers 13:6). Unlike the other spies, Caleb, along with Joshua, brought back a positive report, demonstrating his trust in God's promise to deliver the land to the Israelites. Numbers 13:30 records Caleb's bold declaration: "Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, 'We must go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly conquer it!'"

Because of his unwavering faith, Caleb was rewarded by God. In Numbers 14:24 , the Lord says, "But because My servant Caleb has a different spirit and has followed Me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he has entered, and his descendants will inherit it." This promise was fulfilled when Caleb was granted Hebron as his inheritance (Joshua 14:13-14).

Tribal Affiliation and Inheritance

Caleb is associated with the tribe of Judah, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. His inheritance in the land of Canaan was a testament to his faith and obedience. Joshua 14:13-14 states, "Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the LORD, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly."

The Calebites, therefore, are considered part of the tribe of Judah, and their territory included the region around Hebron. This area was significant not only for its fertile land but also for its historical and spiritual importance, as Hebron was a city of refuge and a Levitical city.

Legacy and Influence

Caleb's legacy extends beyond his immediate descendants. His faith and leadership serve as an enduring example of trust in God's promises. The Calebites, as his descendants, carried forward this legacy within the tribe of Judah. Caleb's account is a powerful reminder of the blessings that come from wholehearted devotion to God.

In the broader biblical narrative, Caleb's faithfulness is often contrasted with the unbelief of the other spies and the subsequent generation of Israelites who perished in the wilderness. His life exemplifies the rewards of faith and obedience, themes that resonate throughout Scripture.

References in Scripture

Caleb and his descendants are mentioned in several passages throughout the Old Testament. In addition to the accounts in Numbers and Joshua, Caleb is referenced in 1 Chronicles 2:18-19, which details his genealogy and family connections. The Calebites are also noted in the context of David's reign, as Nabal, a wealthy Calebite, is mentioned in 1 Samuel 25:3.

Overall, the Calebites hold a significant place in the biblical history of Israel, representing a lineage marked by faithfulness and divine favor.3614. Kalibbo -- descendant of Caleb
... descendant of Caleb. Transliteration: Kalibbo or Kalebi Phonetic Spelling:
(kaw-lib-bo') Short Definition: Calebite. ... of Caleb NASB Word Usage Calebite (1). ...
/hebrew/3614.htm - 6k

Abigail's Sensible Advice
... His name was Nabal, and his wife's name was Abigail. The woman was sensible and
beautiful, but the man was rough and ill-mannered; and he was a Calebite. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/abigails sensible advice.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6. <. ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Calebite (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Calebite (1 Occurrence). 1 Samuel 25:3 And the
name of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail ...
/c/calebite.htm - 6k

Regem (2 Occurrences)
... REGEM. re'-gem (reghem, "friend" (?)) A Calebite, the son of Jahdai (1 Chronicles
2:47), mentioned as the eponym of a Calebite family or clan. ...
/r/regem.htm - 7k

Reaiah (4 Occurrences)
... re-a'-ya, re-i'-a (re'ayah, "Yah has seen"; Septuagint: Codex Vaticanus, Rhada,
A, Rheia): (1) The eponym of a Calebite family (1 Chronicles 4:2). The word ...
/r/reaiah.htm - 8k

Rekem (6 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 15:25). (2) Eponym of a Calebite family (1 Chronicles
2:43 (Rhekom). Probably a town in Southern Judah. A town of ...
/r/rekem.htm - 11k

Caleb's (6 Occurrences)

/c/caleb's.htm - 8k

Caleb-Ephrathah (1 Occurrence)
Caleb-Ephrathah. Calebephrathah, Caleb-Ephrathah. Calebite . Int. ... (ASV NAS).
Calebephrathah, Caleb-Ephrathah. Calebite . Reference Bible.
/c/caleb-ephrathah.htm - 7k

Shobal (9 Occurrences)
... Chronicles 1:38, 40). (2) A Calebite, the father (possibly of the inhabitants)
of Kiriath-jearim (1 Chronicles 2:50, 52). (3) A Judahite ...
/s/shobal.htm - 10k

Caleb (39 Occurrences)
... (Chelubai, 1 Chronicles 9:9, is apparently identical with Caleb.) Nabal, with whom
David had an encounter, is called a Calebite, ie one belonging to the house ...
/c/caleb.htm - 24k

Jotham (26 Occurrences)
... Jotham's name appears in the royal genealogical list of 1 Chronicles 3:12, and in
the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:9). (3) A Calebite (1 Chronicles 2:47 the ...
/j/jotham.htm - 25k

What is a Calebite? | GotQuestions.org

Questions about 1 Samuel | GotQuestions.org

Who is Caleb in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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