This is an accepted version of this page
Caleb (/ˈkeɪləb/KAY-ləb;Hebrew:כָּלֵב,Tiberian vocalization:Kālēḇ,Modern Israeli Hebrew:Kalév[kaˈlev]) is a figure who appears in theHebrew Bible as a representative of theTribe of Judah during theIsraelites'journey to thePromised Land.
Following the Israelite conquest of Canaan, Caleb was described as aKenizzite and is said to have received lands originally intended for theTribe of Judah. The Calebites, his descendants, likely comprised a mixed population ofEdomite and Judean elements. They resided insouthern Judah and in the northern part of theNegev region.[1]
A reference to him is also found in theQuran, although his name is not mentioned (Al-Ma'idah: 20–26).
Caleb is related to the Hebrew word for 'dog' (כֶּלֶב,keleḇ), withThe Jewish Encyclopedia reporting that the animal is thought to be "thetotem of aclan".[2][3]
Caleb, son ofJephunneh from the tribe ofJudah (Book of Numbers,Numbers 13:6), is not to be confused with Caleb, great-grandson ofJudah throughTamar (1 Chronicles 2:3–9). This other Caleb was theson of Hezron, and his wife was Azubah (1 Chronicles 2:18,19).
According toNumbers 13, Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, was one ofthe twelve spies sent by Moses into Canaan. Their task, over a period of 40 days,[4] was to explore theNegev and surrounding area, and to make an assessment of the geographical features of the land, the strength and numbers of thepopulation, theagricultural potential and actual performance of the land, settlement patterns (whether theircities were like camps or strongholds), andforestry conditions. Moses also asked them to be courageous and to return with samples of local produce.[5]
In the Numbers 13 listing of the heads of each tribe,verse 6 reads "Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh." Caleb's report balanced the appeal of the land and its fruits with the challenge of making a conquest.
Verse 30 of chapter 13 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.'"[6] 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 aKenizzite (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 in1 Chronicles 4: "And the sons of Caleb the son of Jephunneh: Iru, Elah, and Naam; and the sons of Elah: Kenaz" (1 Chronicles 4:15).[6]Numbers 13:6, likewise, lists Caleb as a tribal leader in Judah. Contrarily, the Kenizzites are also generally associated with Kenaz, the son ofEsau, making them anEdomite clan (seeGenesis 36:40–43).[7]
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). Since Hebron itself was one of theCities of Refuge to be ruled by theLevites, it is later explained that Caleb actually was given the outskirts (Joshua 21:11–13). Caleb promised his daughterAchsah in marriage to whoever would conquer the land ofDebir from the giants. This was eventually accomplished byOthniel Ben Kenaz, Caleb's nephew (Judges 1:13), who became Caleb's son-in-law as well (Joshua 15:16,17).
1 Samuel25:3 states thatNabal, the husband ofAbigail beforeDavid, was "a Calebite" (Hebrewklby).[8] It is not stated whether this refers to one of the Calebs mentioned in the Bible, or another person bearing the same name.
Traditional Jewish sources record a number of stories about Caleb which expand on the biblical account.Jewish traditions identifyMered withCaleb, and his wifeBithiah with the princess who rescuedMoses from the river.[9]
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.[10] AMidrash refers to Caleb being devoted to the Lord and to Moses, splitting from the other scouts to tourHebron on his own and visit thegraves of the Patriarchs.[11] 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.[12]
Caleb (Arabic:كالب,romanized: Kālib) is referenced indirectly in theQuran and some scholars consider him to be one of theProphets of Islam, though this is debated.[citation needed]
Caleb | |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Harun |
| Successor | Yusha bin Nun |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
