Lexical Definition
עׇתְנִיאֵל ʻOthnîyʼêl (oth-nee-ale') Othniel N:N-M-P
from the same as עׇתְנִי and אֵל; force of God
Othniel.
- § Othniel = "lion of God"
- Othniel, an Israelite
1) son of Kenaz, younger brother of Caleb, and husband of Achsah the daughter of Caleb and his own niece; first judge of Israel, who after the death of Joshua, delivered the Israelites from the oppression of Chushanrishathaim
| Form | Translated As | In Verse(s) |
|---|---|---|
| עָתְנִיאֵ֥ל | Othniel | Josh.15.17 • Judg.3.11 |
| עָתְנִיאֵ֣ל | Othniel | Judg.1.13 • Judg.3.9 |
| עָתְנִיאֵ֖ל | Othniel | 1Chr.4.13 • 1Chr.4.13 |
| לְעָתְנִיאֵ֑ל | of Othniel | 1Chr.27.15 |
| Γοθονιήλ | Othniel | LXX.Josh.15.17 • LXX.Judg.1.13 • LXX.Judg.3.9 • LXX.Judg.3.11 • LXX.1Chr.4.13 • LXX.1Chr.27.15 |
| of Othniel | LXX.1Chr.4.13 |
Extended Information
- A Judge living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Jos.15.17
- son of: Kenaz (קְנַז)
- brother of: Seraiah (שְׂרָיָה); married to Achsah (עַכְסָה)
- father of: Hathath (חֲתַת) and Meonothai (מְעוֹנֹתַי)
Brown-Driver-Briggs
עָתְנִיאֵל proper name, masculine son of Kenaz, a hero in Israel, Γοθονιηλ, Josh 15:17; Judg 1:13; Judg 3:9; Judg 3:11; 1Chr 4:13 (twice in verse); name of family 1Chr 27:15.
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| Joshua | 15:17 |
| Judges | 1:13 · 3:9 · 3:11 |
| 1 Chronicles | 4:13 · 27:15 |
Profile
Male • A Judge • First judge of Israel, Caleb's nephew
Judge living before Israel's Monarchy
Othniel, Caleb's nephew, was the first judge of Israel who delivered the people from Cushan-Rishathaim.
- A Judge living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Jos.15.17;
- only referred to as Othniel עׇתְנִיאֵל;
- son of Kenaz קְנַז;
- a brother of Seraiah שְׂרָיָה;
- husband of Achsah עַכְסָה;
- father of Hathath חֲתַת and Meonothai מְעוֹנֹתַי.
Othniel was the son of Kenaz and the nephew of Caleb, one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan (Joshua 15:17; Judges 1:13; 1 Chronicles 4:13). He is described as the first judge of Israel, who delivered the people from the oppression of Cushan-Rishathaim, king of Mesopotamia (Judges 3:9-10). Othniel's story begins when Caleb offers his daughter Achsah in marriage to whoever captures the city of Debir (also known as Kiriath-Sepher) (Joshua 15:16; Judges 1:12). Othniel successfully takes the city and marries Achsah (Joshua 15:17; Judges 1:13). Later, when the Israelites fall into sin and are oppressed by Cushan-Rishathaim, they cry out to the Lord for help (Judges 3:8-9). God raises up Othniel as a deliverer, and the Spirit of the Lord comes upon him (Judges 3:10). Othniel goes to war against Cushan-Rishathaim and prevails, bringing peace to the land for forty years until his death (Judges 3:10-11). Othniel is also mentioned as the leader of the tribe of Judah during the reign of King David (1 Chronicles 27:15).
All entries for Othniel: עׇתְנִיאֵל