Caleb
Caleb, son of Jephunneh, was a member of the tribe of Judah and one of the twelve spies sent by Moses into Canaan.
Caleb is a figure who appears in the Hebrew Bible as a representative of the Tribe of Judah during the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land. Following the Israelite conquest of Canaan, Caleb was described as a Kenizzite and is said to have received lands originally intended for the Tribe of Judah. The Calebites, his descendants, resided in southern Judah and in the northern part of the Negev region. A reference to him is also found in the Quran, although his name is not mentioned (Al-Ma'idah: 20–26).
Quick Facts
- Tribe
- Judah (Numbers 13:6; Numbers 34:19)
- Father
- Jephunneh (Numbers 13:6)
- Also called
- Kenezite (Numbers 32:12; Joshua 14:6, 14)
- Role
- Spy (Numbers 13:6; Numbers 14:6, 38)
- Survived the wilderness
- Yes, with Joshua (Numbers 14:38; Numbers 26:65)
- Inheritance
- Hebron (Joshua 14:13-14; Joshua 15:13)
Lore & Background
Caleb is related to the Hebrew word for 'dog', with The Jewish Encyclopedia reporting that the animal is thought to be 'the totem of a clan'. Caleb, son of Jephunneh, was a member of the tribe of Judah (Book of Numbers). His relationship to Caleb, son of Hezron, an earlier descendant of Judah is unclear. According to Numbers 13, Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, was one of the twelve spies sent by Moses into Canaan. Their task, over a period of 40 days, was to explore the Negev and surrounding area, and to make an assessment of the geographical features of the land, the strength and numbers of the population, the agricultural potential and actual performance of the land, settlement patterns, and forestry conditions. Moses also asked them to be courageous and to return with samples of local produce. In the Numbers 13 listing of the heads of each tribe, it reads 'Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.' Numbers 13:30 reads 'And Caleb stilled the people toward Moses, and said: We should go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.' Caleb and Joshua said the people should trust God and go into the land; the other ten spies, being fearful and rebellious, argued that conquering the land was impossible. They spread doubt and fear among all the people, who again wished to be back in Egypt (chapter 14 v 1-4). Caleb the spy is the son of Jephunneh. Jephunneh is called a Kenizzite (Numbers 32:12, Joshua 14:6, 14). The Kenizzites are listed as one of the nations associated with the land of Canaan at the time that God made a covenant with Abraham (Genesis 15:19). However, Caleb is mentioned alongside the descendants of Judah recorded in 1 Chronicles 4:15: 'And the sons of Caleb the son of Jephunneh: Iru, Elah, and Naam; and the sons of Elah: Kenaz.' 1 Chronicles 4:15 likewise lists Caleb as a tribal leader in Judah. Contrarily, the Kenizzites are also generally associated with Kenaz, the son of Esau, making them an Edomite clan (see Genesis 36:11). In the aftermath of the conquest, Caleb asks Joshua to give him a mountain in property within the land of Judah, and Joshua blesses him as a sign of God's blessing and approval, giving him Hebron (Joshua 14:13). Since Hebron itself was one of the Cities of Refuge to be ruled by the Levites, it is later explained that Caleb actually was given the outskirts (Joshua 21:12).
Reader's Guide
Traditional Jewish sources record a number of stories about Caleb which expand on the biblical account. Jewish traditions identify Mered with Caleb, and his wife Bithiah with the princess who rescued Moses from the river. One account records that Caleb wanted to bring produce from the land, but that the other spies discouraged him from doing so in order to avoid giving the Israelites a positive impression of Canaan. They only agreed to carry in samples of produce after Caleb brandished a sword and threatened to fight over the matter. A Midrash refers to Caleb being devoted to the Lord and to Moses, splitting from the other scouts to tour Hebron on his own and visit the graves of the Patriarchs. While in Canaan with the spies, Caleb's voice was so loud that he succeeded in saving the other spies by frightening giants away from them. Caleb is referenced indirectly in the Qu'ran and some scholars consider him to be one of the Prophets of Islam, though this is debated. According to Tafsir ibn Kathir, he was one of the two men who feared to disobey Allah mentioned in Al-Ma'idah, the other person being Yusha ibn Nun.
Elsewhere in Figures of Scripture
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