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Person

Caleb

Joshua's compatriot living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness and Conquest

Caleb, one of the twelve spies, remained faithful to God and was granted Hebron as his inheritance.

🗺 Places mentioned alongside Caleb on the map →

Also known as Calebite · like his heart

Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, was one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan (Num. 13:6). Along with Joshua, Caleb stood firm in his faith and trust in God's promise, encouraging the Israelites to enter the land despite the other spies' negative report (Num. 13:30; 14:6-9). As a result, God commended Caleb for his faithfulness and promised that he would inherit the land he had explored (Num. 14:24, 30, 38; Deut. 1:36). After the conquest of Canaan, Caleb requested and received Hebron as his inheritance (Josh. 14:6-15; 15:13-19; 21:12; Judg. 1:12-15, 20). He drove out the Anakim giants from Hebron and offered his daughter Achsah in marriage to whoever conquered Kirjath Sepher (Josh. 15:14-17; Judg. 1:12-13). Caleb's descendants settled in the Negev region and in the cities of Hebron (1Sam. 30:14; 1Chr. 4:15; 6:56). His faith, courage, and obedience to God made him a prominent figure in Israel's history, and his story is remembered as an example of unwavering trust in God's promises (Num. 32:12; Judg. 3:9).

Family

Father
Jephunneh
Sibling
Kenaz

Connections

Part of: Moses and his circle · Judges era and the road to David

Caleb and Joshua: the two faithful spies

FriendsStated in the text

Of the twelve spies sent into Canaan, only Caleb (of Judah) and Joshua (of Ephraim) urged entry. The congregation wanted to stone them; the LORD promised only those two of that generation would enter the land, and Caleb received Hebron at Joshua's hand.

Where the text shows it: Num 13:30 — Caleb quiets the peopleNum 14:6-10 — Caleb and Joshua tear their clothes and urge trustNum 14:30 — Only Caleb and Joshua will enterJosh 14:6-14 — Joshua gives Hebron to Caleb

Sources: Num 13:30 · Num 14:6-10 · Num 14:30 · Josh 14:6-14

Caleb and Othniel: uncle, nephew, son-in-law

FamilyStated in the text

Caleb offered his daughter Achsah to whoever took Kiriath-sepher; Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, did so and married her. Othniel later became Israel's first judge. The Kenizzite descent of Caleb shows that non-Israelite clans were absorbed into Judah.

Where the text shows it: Josh 15:16-17 — Othniel takes Kiriath-sepher and marries AchsahJudg 1:13 — Othniel is Caleb's younger brother's sonJudg 3:9-11 — Othniel as the first delivererNum 32:12 — Caleb is called "the Kenizzite"

Sources: Josh 15:16-17 · Judg 1:13 · Judg 3:9-11 · Num 32:12

Where Caleb appears

29 verses in 6 books · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s H3612

Numbers9
Deuteronomy1
Joshua9
Judges6
1 Samuel2
1 Chronicles2

Names, family links and references: STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Short descriptions were drafted with AI assistance by STEPBible. Family links follow STEPBible’s scholarly decisions where genealogies are ambiguous.