Topical Encyclopedia
Kenaz is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, associated with the tribes of Edom and Judah. The name Kenaz, which means "hunter" or "possessor," appears in several contexts, highlighting different individuals who played roles in the lineage and history of Israel.
1.
Kenaz, the Edomite Chief: Kenaz is first mentioned as a descendant of Esau, the brother of Jacob, and thus an Edomite. In
Genesis 36:11, Kenaz is listed as one of the sons of Eliphaz, Esau's firstborn, making him a grandson of Esau. This Kenaz is also noted as a chief among the Edomites, as recorded in
Genesis 36:15: "These are the chiefs of the sons of Esau. The sons of Eliphaz the firstborn of Esau: the chiefs Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz."
2.
Kenaz, the Father of Othniel and Caleb: Another Kenaz is identified as the father of Othniel and Caleb, two prominent figures in the history of Israel. Othniel, the son of Kenaz, is recognized as the first judge of Israel after the death of Joshua.
Judges 3:9-11 states, "But when the Israelites cried out to the LORD, He raised up Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, as a deliverer to save them. The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel. He went out to war, and the LORD delivered Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram into his hand. So Othniel overpowered him. Then the land had rest for forty years, until Othniel son of Kenaz died."
3.
Kenaz, the Ancestor of Caleb: Kenaz is also mentioned in connection with Caleb, one of the two faithful spies sent by Moses to scout the land of Canaan. Caleb is often referred to as the son of Jephunneh, a Kenizzite, indicating that Kenaz was an ancestor or relative. In
Numbers 32:12, Caleb is described as "Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite," suggesting a familial link to Kenaz.
4.
Kenaz in the Genealogies of Judah: The genealogies in 1 Chronicles also mention Kenaz in the context of the tribe of Judah. In
1 Chronicles 4:13-15, Kenaz is listed among the descendants of Judah, further establishing his connection to the tribe: "The sons of Kenaz: Othniel and Seraiah. The sons of Othniel: Hathath and Meonothai. Meonothai was the father of Ophrah. Seraiah was the father of Joab, the father of Ge Harashim, so called because they were craftsmen."
Kenaz's presence in the biblical narrative underscores the interconnectedness of the tribes of Israel and Edom, as well as the importance of familial lineage in the history of the Israelites. His descendants, particularly Othniel and Caleb, played significant roles in the establishment and leadership of the Israelite nation during the period of the Judges and the conquest of Canaan.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Kenazthis purchase; this lamentation
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Kenaz(hunting).
- Son of Eliphaz the son of Esau. He was one of the dukes of Edom. (Genesis 36:15,42;1 Chronicles 1:53)
- One of the same family, a grandson of Caleb, according to (1 Chronicles 4:15) (where see margin).
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Hunter.
(1.) One of the sons of Eliphaz, the son of Esau. He became the chief of an Edomitish tribe (Genesis 36:11, 15, 42).
(2.) Caleb's younger brother, and father of Othniel (Joshua 15:17), whose family was of importance in Israel down to the time of David (1 Chronicles 27:15). Some think that Othniel (Judges 1:13), and not Kenaz, was Caleb's brother.
(3.) Caleb's grandson (1 Chronicles 4:15).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
KENAZ; KENEZke'-naz, ke'-nez (qenaz "hunting"):
(1) A "duke" of Edom, grandson of Esau (Genesis 36:11, 15, 421 Chronicles 1:36, 53).
(2) Father of Othniel (Joshua 15:17Judges 1:13;Judges 3:9, 111 Chronicles 4:13).
(3) The unidentified qenaz of1 Chronicles 4:15, who appears to be a descendant of (2). There is, however, some difficulty with the passage here.
Strong's Hebrew
7074. Qenizzi -- descendant ofKenaz... descendant of
Kenaz. Transliteration: Qenizzi Phonetic Spelling: (ken-iz-zee') Short
Definition: Kenizzite.
... of
Kenaz NASB Word Usage Kenizzite (4).
...7073. Qenaz -- an Edomite, also two Israelites
... Qenaz. 7074 . an Edomite, also two Israelites. Transliteration: Qenaz Phonetic
Spelling: (ken-az') Short Definition:Kenaz.... NASB Word UsageKenaz (11).Kenaz....
Library
Chapter xxxvi
... And the sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, and Gatam andKenaz. And Timnah
was a concubine of Eliphaz, Esau's son, and she bore to Eliphaz, Amalek....
The Patriarchs.
... Sea of Edom, or the Red Sea. They were also named Kenites from his son
Kenaz. Their country, afterwards called Idumea, was full...
How the Title of Saviour is Given to Christ in one Sense, and to...
... that He is termed Saviour in the same sense as the title is given to others ("And
the Lord raised up to them a Saviour, Othniel the Son ofKenaz," [2484] and...
How the Israelites after this Misfortune Grew Wicked and Served...
... manner:". 3. There was one whose name was Othniel, the son ofKenaz, of
the tribe of Judah, an active man and of great courage. He...
An Explanation of the Three Callings.
... right:" and again we are told, "they cried unto the Lord, who raised them up a Saviour
and delivered them, to wit, Othniel, the son ofKenaz, Caleb's younger...
Canaan
... It consisted of the two clans of Jerahmeel andKenaz, or the house of Caleb as it
was called in the time of David.[4]Kenaz was a grandson of Esau, and the...
Letter cviii. To Eustochium.
... [2821] She admired more the upper springs and the nether springs which Othniel the
son ofKenaz the son of Jephunneh received in place of a south land and a...
The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... Edomites, Arabs, and Midianites were associated with this semi-Canaanite stock"for
example, Kain, Caleb, Othniel,Kenaz, Shobal, Ephah, and Jerahmeel, but...
Thesaurus
Kenaz (11 Occurrences)... Some think that Othniel (Judges 1:13), and not
Kenaz, was Caleb's brother. (3.)
Caleb's grandson (1 Chronicles 4:15).
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
KENAZ; KENEZ.
...Ash'kenaz (3 Occurrences)
Ash'kenaz. Ashkenaz, Ash'kenaz. Ashnah . Multi-Version Concordance
Ash'kenaz (3 Occurrences). Genesis 10:3 And the sons...
Othniel (7 Occurrences)
... years. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. OTHNIEL. oth'-ni-el (`othni'el):
A hero in Israel, son ofKenaz, Caleb's younger brother. He...
Oth'ni-el (6 Occurrences)
... Joshua 15:17 And Othniel the son ofKenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it; and he
gave him Achsah his daughter to wife.... Then Oth'ni-el the son ofKenaz died....
Teman (12 Occurrences)
... Teman (12 Occurrences). Genesis 36:11 The sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho,
and Gatam, andKenaz. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Uknaz
... UKNAZ. uk'-naz (uqenaz, "andKenaz," probably): Found in the King James Version
margin of 1 Chronicles 4:15 for the King James Version "evenKenaz," the Revised...
Eliphaz (14 Occurrences)
... el'-i-faz, e-li'-faz ('eliphaz, "God is fine gold" (?)) 1) Son of Esau by Adah,
and father of Teman,Kenaz and Amalek (Genesis 36:4, 10 1 Chronicles 1:35 f...
Zepho (3 Occurrences)
... Zepho (3 Occurrences). Genesis 36:11 The sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho,
and Gatam, andKenaz. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Omar (3 Occurrences)
... Omar (3 Occurrences). Genesis 36:11 The sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho,
and Gatam, andKenaz. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Caleb's (6 Occurrences)
... Caleb's (6 Occurrences). Joshua 15:17 And Othniel, the son ofKenaz, Caleb's brother,
took it: so he gave him his daughter Achsah for his wife. (BBE NIV)....
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