Topical Bible: Caleb: Descendants of

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Topical Encyclopedia

Caleb, a prominent figure in the Hebrew Bible, is best known as one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan. He is celebrated for his faithfulness and trust in God's promises, which earned him a special inheritance in the Promised Land. Caleb's lineage and descendants are significant in the biblical narrative, reflecting the fulfillment of God's promises to him and his family.

Tribe of Judah

Caleb was a member of the tribe of Judah, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. His father was Jephunneh, a Kenizzite, which indicates that Caleb's family may have had a non-Israelite origin, yet they were fully integrated into the tribe of Judah. This integration highlights the inclusivity of God's covenant with Israel, extending beyond ethnic boundaries to those who demonstrate faithfulness to Him.

Inheritance in Hebron

As a reward for his unwavering faith, Caleb was granted the city of Hebron as his inheritance. In Joshua 14:13-14 , it is recorded: "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." This inheritance was a testament to Caleb's faith and a fulfillment of God's promise to him.

Descendants and Legacy

Caleb's descendants played a significant role in the history of Israel. His family line is mentioned in several genealogies, emphasizing their importance. In 1 Chronicles 2:42-49, Caleb's descendants are listed, including his sons and their offspring. Notably, his descendants were influential in the region of Hebron and beyond.

One of Caleb's notable descendants was Othniel, his younger brother or possibly his nephew, who became the first judge of Israel after the death of Joshua. Othniel's leadership is recorded in Judges 3:9-11 : "But when the Israelites cried out to the LORD, He raised up Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, as a deliverer to save them. The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel. He went out to war, and the LORD delivered Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram into his hand. So Othniel overpowered him. Then the land had rest for forty years, and Othniel son of Kenaz died."

Caleb's Daughter: Achsah

Caleb's daughter, Achsah, is also a significant figure. She was given in marriage to Othniel as a reward for his bravery in capturing Kiriath-sepher (Debir). Achsah's account is recounted in Joshua 15:16-19 , where she requests and receives additional land with springs of water from her father, demonstrating her assertiveness and the value placed on land and resources in the biblical narrative.

Conclusion

Caleb's descendants continued to uphold his legacy of faith and courage. Through his lineage, the promises of God to Caleb were realized, and his family played a vital role in the unfolding history of Israel. The account of Caleb and his descendants serves as a powerful reminder of the blessings that come from wholehearted devotion to God.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Chronicles 4:15
And the sons of Caleb the son of Jephunneh; Iru, Elah, and Naam: and the sons of Elah, even Kenaz.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Census of Israel
... Not one man was there who was counted thirty-eight years before, save Caleb and
Joshua, and ... Oh, that every saint here may be succeeded by his own descendants! ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the census of israel.htm

The Nations of the South-East
... in the Israelitish conquest of Palestine, and both Caleb and Othniel ... His descendants,
partly by conquest, partly by absorption, planted themselves securely in ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

The Promised Land
... Caleb and Aaron loved him because he was godly, and Miriam was proud of him ... the Lord,
and artisans were brought from Tyre, it was the descendants of Kenkenes ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xlvii the promised land.htm

The Negative Side
... But does that prove it was meant for none other than the descendants of Jacob? ... Caleb,
Joshua, David, Elijah, Daniel were no more "under Law" in the sense that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the law and the saint/the negative side.htm

Canaan
... only a few years from the capture of Hebron by Caleb, which must ... we learn from the
Egyptian monuments, the Canaanites resembled their descendants, the modern ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter ii canaan.htm

The Call of Moses
... "Very well, Moses; you may stay here in the desert, and I will send Aaron,
or Joshua, or Caleb!". ... The Messiah was one of her descendants. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/men of the bible/ii the call of moses.htm

The Quotation in Matt. Ii. 6.
... the translator evidently considered "Ephratah" to be the proper name of Caleb's
wife (1 ... to the address in ver.24, the brethren are all the descendants of Israel ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the quotation in matt ii.htm

The Heroic Women of Early Indiana Methodism.
... Of her descendants there are more than sixty grand-children, and more than twenty
of ... Mrs. Isaac Dunn, at Lawrenceburg; Mrs. Caleb A. Craft, at Rising Sun; Mrs ...
/.../the heroic women of early indiana methodism/the heroic women of early.htm

The General Conference of 1804, and of the Annual Conferences of ...
... was originally settled by the Spaniards and French, the descendants of whom ... Gideon
Knowlton,* William Bishop, Eber Cowles, James Moore, Caleb Kindle, Morris Howe ...
/.../chapter 6 the general conference.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... The two Hebrew "kingdoms"; the fidelity of Judah to the descendants of Solomon,
and ... hyena and the dog, in Arabic and Hebrew, "Simeon" and "Caleb."* Gad, Simeon ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm