Othniel Son of Kenaz and the Puzzle of Caleb's Lineage

Yalkut Shimoni on Nach 26:2

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"And Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, captured it" (Judges 1:13). So Caleb is a son of Kenaz? But it is written, "Caleb son of Jephunneh" (Numbers 13:6). What is the meaning of "Jephunneh"? That he turned away [panah] from the counsel of the spies. And is he a son of Kenaz? But it is written, "And Caleb son of Hezron" (1 Chronicles 2:18). Rava said: Indeed, he is the son of Hezron. Then why is Othniel called the brother of Caleb, "son of Kenaz"? He was the brother of Caleb through his mother, for Caleb was the stepson of Kenaz [Othniel's father; the two shared one mother]. This is also precise, for the verse says "the Kenizzite" and does not say "son of Kenaz."

Themes

JudgesGenealogyTribes

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