Othniel (Joshua 15:14–17; Joshua 15:18–19; Judges 1:11–13; Judges 1:14–15; Judges 3:7–8; Judges 3:9; Judges 3:10; Judges 3:11; 1 Chronicles 4:13; 1 Chronicles 27:15)

Son of Kenaz, a Savior Raised Up for Israel

Othniel the son of Kenaz, who took Kiriath-sepher and received Achsah, Caleb's daughter, to wife, and whom the LORD raised up as a savior for Israel; the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, he judged Israel, and the land had rest forty years.

Othniel is first named where Caleb offers his daughter to the man who takes Kiriath-sepher: “And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife” (Joshua 15:17). Judges tells the same account and calls him “Caleb’s younger brother” (Judges 1:13). Scripture records no words of his own in either place.

After Israel did evil, forgot the LORD, and served Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia eight years, “the children of Israel cried unto Jehovah, Jehovah raised up a saviour to the children of Israel, who saved them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother” (Judges 3:9). “And the Spirit of Jehovah came upon him, and he judged Israel; and he went out to war, and Jehovah delivered Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand: and his hand prevailed against Cushan-rishathaim” (Judges 3:10).

“And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died” (Judges 3:11). First Chronicles lists the sons of Kenaz, Othniel and Seraiah, and the son of Othniel, Hathath (1 Chronicles 4:13), and names David's twelfth captain “Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel” (1 Chronicles 27:15). No book of the New Testament names him.

Themes

• Caleb's family
• Kiriath-sepher
• A savior raised up
• The Spirit of the LORD
• Rest for the land

Takes Kiriath-sepher and receives Achsah (Joshua 15:15–17; Judges 1:11–13)

Caleb offers his daughter Achsah to whoever smites Kiriath-sepher; Othniel the son of Kenaz takes it and receives her to wife.

Takes Kiriath-sepher and receives Achsah

Caleb drove out the three sons of Anak from Hebron, and “he went up thence against the inhabitants of Debir: now the name of Debir beforetime was Kiriath-sepher” (Joshua 15:15).

“And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kiriath-sepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife. And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife” (Joshua 15:16-17).

Judges gives the same account and calls him “Caleb’s younger brother” (Judges 1:13).

Achsah asks for springs of water (Joshua 15:18–19; Judges 1:14–15)

Achsah moves her husband to ask her father for a field, then herself asks Caleb for a blessing and springs of water, and he gives her the upper and nether springs.

Israel sold to Cushan-rishathaim; the LORD raises up Othniel (Judges 3:7–9)

Israel does evil and serves Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia eight years; when they cry to the LORD, he raises up Othniel as a savior.

Israel sold to Cushan-rishathaim; the LORD raises up Othniel

“And the children of Israel did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, and forgat Jehovah their God, and served the Baalim and the Asheroth. Therefore the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Cushan-rishathaim eight years” (Judges 3:7-8).

“And when the children of Israel cried unto Jehovah, Jehovah raised up a saviour to the children of Israel, who saved them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother” (Judges 3:9).

The Spirit comes upon him; the war (Judges 3:10)

The Spirit of the LORD comes upon Othniel; he judges Israel and goes out to war, and the LORD delivers Cushan-rishathaim into his hand.

The Spirit comes upon him; the war

“And the Spirit of Jehovah came upon him, and he judged Israel; and he went out to war, and Jehovah delivered Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand: and his hand prevailed against Cushan-rishathaim” (Judges 3:10).

The text gives no account of the battle and does not describe what his judging of Israel involved.

Forty years of rest; Othniel dies (Judges 3:11)

The land has rest forty years, and the text then records that Othniel the son of Kenaz died.

Forty years of rest; Othniel dies

“And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died” (Judges 3:11).

Named among the sons of Kenaz (1 Chronicles 4:13)

The genealogy in Chronicles lists Othniel and Seraiah as sons of Kenaz, and Hathath as the son of Othniel.

Caleb (Joshua 15:17; Judges 1:13; Judges 3:9)

Othniel is called the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb; he took Kiriath-sepher and received Caleb's daughter Achsah to wife.

Achsah (Joshua 15:16–17; Judges 1:12–13)

Caleb's daughter, given to Othniel to wife after he took Kiriath-sepher.

Kenaz (Joshua 15:17; Judges 3:9; 1 Chronicles 4:13)

Othniel is named the son of Kenaz; the text says nothing more of him.

Hathath (1 Chronicles 4:13)

Listed as the son of Othniel.

The LORD (Judges 3:9–10)

Raised up Othniel as a savior, and delivered Cushan-rishathaim into his hand.

Cushan-rishathaim (Judges 3:8; Judges 3:10)

King of Mesopotamia, whom Israel served eight years; the LORD delivered him into Othniel's hand.

Major sections

• Joshua 15:13–19
• Judges 1:10–15
• Judges 3:7–11
• 1 Chronicles 4:13
• 1 Chronicles 27:15

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