Caleb

1484-1384 BC

Caleb, is recorded as the son of Jephunneh, the Kenizzite

• Genesis 15:18-21
• Numbers 13:6,
• Joshua 14:14

Ezekiel 47:22

Verse Concepts

You shall divide it by lot for an inheritance among yourselves and among the aliens who stay in your midst, who bring forth sons in your midst. And they shall be to you as the native-born among the sons of Israel; they shall be allotted an inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel

Butler points out that Caleb’s story does not hide his Kenizzite status, so Caleb’s blessings were clearly not due to solid family connections to Judah but instead were a result of his choice to follow God fully. Thus Caleb was a faithful example for the mixed Jewish people returning from exile to reclaim the land of Israel ([Trent C.] Butler, Joshua, [Word Biblical Commentary, Vol. 7 (Dallas: Word Books, 1984),] 97).

Notes

Joshua- (Yeshua) an Israelite from Joseph, and Caleb - a gentile graphed into the the line of Judah (Jews) - were the only remaining rescued slaves entered the promised land as one!