OliveGrove
Pressing the Word of God for Deeper Understanding.

Caleb כָּלֵב

Male H3612G 6 books

Faithful spy, given Hebron as inheritance

Who is Caleb in the Bible?

Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, was one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore Canaan in Numbers 13:6. Unlike the other spies who brought back a fearful report, Caleb joined Joshua in trusting God's promise to give Israel the land, encouraging the people to enter despite their doubts (Numbers 13:30, 14:6-9). Because of his unwavering faith, God promised that Caleb would inherit the land he had explored (Numbers 14:24, 30). After the Israelites conquered Canaan, Caleb requested and received Hebron as his inheritance, where he drove out the Anakim giants and settled his family (Joshua 14:6-15, 15:13-19). Caleb's faithfulness stands as a biblical model of trust in God's promises and obedience despite overwhelming opposition from others.

Biography

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 (1 Sam. 30:14; 1 Chr. 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

Parents

Siblings

Offspring

In Scripture

6 biblical books ; 2 with study content
Numbers 5 verses
  • Numbers 13:6

    "from the tribe of Judah, Caleb son of Jephunneh;"

  • Numbers 13:30

    "Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “We must go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly conquer it!”"

  • Numbers 14:6

    "Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes"

  • Numbers 14:24

    "But because My servant Caleb has a different spirit and has followed Me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he has entered, and his descendants will inherit it."

  • Numbers 14:30

    "Surely none of you will enter the land in which I swore to settle you, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun."

Deuteronomy 1 verse
  • Deuteronomy 1:36

    "except Caleb son of Jephunneh. He will see it, and I will give him and his descendants the land on which he has set foot, because he followed the LORD wholeheartedly.”"

    Study Deuteronomy →
Joshua 5 verses
  • Joshua 14:6

    "Then the sons of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know what the LORD said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh-barnea about you and me."

    Study Joshua →
  • Joshua 14:13

    "Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance."

    Study Joshua →
  • Joshua 14:14

    "Therefore Hebron belongs to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite as an inheritance to this day, because he wholly followed the LORD, the God of Israel."

    Study Joshua →
  • Joshua 15:13

    "According to the LORD’s command to him, Joshua gave Caleb son of Jephunneh a portion among the sons of Judah—Kiriath-arba, that is, Hebron. (Arba was the forefather of Anak.)"

    Study Joshua →
  • Joshua 15:14

    "And Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak—the descendants of Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak."

    Study Joshua →
Judges 5 verses
  • Judges 1:12

    "And Caleb said, “To the man who strikes down Kiriath-sepher and captures it, I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage.”"

  • Judges 1:13

    "So Othniel son of Caleb’s younger brother Kenaz captured the city, and Caleb gave his daughter Acsah to him in marriage."

  • Judges 1:14

    "One day Acsah came to Othniel and urged him to ask her father for a field. When she got off her donkey, Caleb asked her, “What do you desire?”"

  • Judges 1:15

    "“Give me a blessing,” she answered. “Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me springs of water as well.” So Caleb gave her both the upper and lower springs."

  • Judges 1:20

    "Just as Moses had promised, Judah gave Hebron to Caleb, who drove out the descendants of the three sons of Anak."

1 Samuel 2 verses
  • 1 Samuel 30:14

    "We raided the Negev of the Cherethites, the territory of Judah, and the Negev of Caleb, and we burned down Ziklag.”"

  • 1 Samuel 25:3

    "His name was Nabal, and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband, a Calebite, was harsh and evil in his dealings."

1 Chronicles 2 verses
  • 1 Chronicles 4:15

    "The sons of Caleb son of Jephunneh: Iru, Elah, and Naam. The son of Elah: Kenaz."

  • 1 Chronicles 6:56

    "But the fields and villages around the city were given to Caleb son of Jephunneh."

Names & Aliases

Form Language Script Meaning
Named Hebrew כָּלֵב Caleb , the name of three Israelites
Group Hebrew כָּלִבִּי —