Othniel
Othniel, Caleb's nephew, was the first judge of Israel who delivered the people from Cushan-Rishathaim.
The name Othniel means “the hour of God”
MaleOld Testament3 books9 verses
Summary
A Judge living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Joshua 15:17; only referred to as Othniel (עׇתְנִיאֵל); son of Kenaz; a brother of Seraiah; husband of Achsah; father of Hathath and Meonothai(?).
Events
Dates are approximate
- Deliverance by Othnielc. 1410 BC
Glossary entries
Family members
Alternative names
- עׇתְנִיאֵלOthniel
Mentions
Includes 3 verses that refer to Othniel without naming them, as “he”, “she”, or the subject of a verb.
- So Othniel son of Caleb’s brother Kenaz captured the city, and Caleb gave his daughter Acsah to him in marriage.
- Joshua 15:18Referred to, not namedOne day Acsah came to Othniel and urged him to ask her father for a field. When she got off her donkey, Caleb asked her, “What do you desire?”
- So Othniel son of Caleb’s younger brother Kenaz captured the city, and Caleb gave his daughter Acsah to him in marriage.
- Judges 1:14Referred to, not namedOne day Acsah came to Othniel and urged him to ask her father for a field. When she got off her donkey, Caleb asked her, “What do you desire?”
- 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 3:10Referred to, not namedThe Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he became Israel’s judge and went out to war. And the LORD delivered Cushan-rishathaim king of Aram into the hand of Othniel, who prevailed against him.
- So the land had rest for forty years, until Othniel son of Kenaz died.
- The sons of Kenaz: Othniel and Seraiah. The sons of Othniel: Hathath and Meonothai.
- The twelfth, for the twelfth month, was Heldai the Netophathite, from the family of Othniel. There were 24,000 men in his division.