Numbers 13:6

Numbers 13:6

Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.

a. ASV: Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.

b. YLT: For the tribe of Judah, Caleb son of Jephunneh.

c. Amplified Bible Classic: Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb son of Jephunneh;

d. Septuagint: Of the tribe of Judah, Chaleb the son of Jephonne.

e. Stone Edition Torah/Prophets/Writings: For the tribe of Judah, Caleb son of Jephunneh.

1. “Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.”

a. [Of the] tribe [Strong: 4294 maṭṭeh, mat-teh'; or (feminine) מַטָּה maṭṭâh; from H5186; a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance), or walking (a staff; figuratively, a support of life, e.g. bread):—rod, staff, tribe.]

b. Judah [Strong: 3063 Yᵉhûwdâh, yeh-hoo-daw'; from H3034; celebrated; Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory:—Judah.]

c. [the] son [Strong: 1121 bên, bane; from H1129; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.):—afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, (+) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, + (young) bullock, + (young) calf, × came up in, child, colt, × common, × corn, daughter, × of first, firstborn, foal, + very fruitful, + postage, × in, + kid, + lamb, (+) man, meet, +mighty, + nephew, old, (+) people, rebel, + robber, × servant born, × soldier, son, +spark, steward, + stranger, × surely, them of, + tumultuous one, valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.]

d. [of] Jephunneh [Strong: 3312 Yᵉphunneh, yef-oon-neh'; from H6437; he will be prepared; Jephunneh, the name of two Israelites:—Jephunneh.]

1). This is the first mention of Caleb in the Bible. He came from the tribe of Judah. Because he was a ruler in his tribe he was chosen as one of the 12 spies. When the spies came back from Canaan, 10 brought back an evil report and 2 brought back a faithful report. Caleb and Joshua were the two spies who brought back a faithful report (Numbers 13:26-14:9). Because of his faithfulness Caleb was able to enter Canaan and possess it.

a). Numbers 14:24 But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.

2). Caleb’s testimony

a). Joshua 14:7-11 Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart.

14:8 Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the Lord my God.

14:9 And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the Lord my God.

14:10 And now, behold, the Lord hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the Lord spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old.

14:11 As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.

3). Caleb was 40 years old when he was a spy. He testified how the Lord gave him Divine health, protected him all through the battles in Canaan. Although all his generation died in the wilderness, Caleb was as strong at 85 as he was at 40. When it came time for Caleb to receive his inheritance he asked Joshua for the mountain that the city of Hebron was upon and Joshua gave it to him.

a). Joshua 14:12-15 Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the Lord spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the Lord said.

14:13 And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.

14:14 Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel.

14:15 And the name of Hebron before was Kirjatharba; which Arba was a great man among the Anakims. And the land had rest from war.

4). Caleb had a daughter eligible for marriage, but Caleb wanted a particular son in law, so in order to be able to ask for her hand in marriage, the prospective son in law was required to conquer Kirjath-sepher.

a). Joshua 15:16 And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.

5). Caleb’s nephew Othniel took the city and the hand of Achsah.

a). Joshua 15:17 And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife.

6). Achsah also asked her father for the springs of water near the land he had already given her so he gave her the upper and lower springs.

a). Joshua 15:18, 19 And it came to pass, as she came unto him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wouldest thou?

15:19 Who answered, Give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs, and the nether springs.