Othniel

OTHNIEL oth'-ni-el (`othni'el):

A hero in Israel, son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother. He conquered Kiriath-sepher, later known as Debir, in the territory of Judah in the days of Joshua, and was given the daughter of Caleb, Achsah, to wife as a reward (Joshua 15:17, parallel found in Judges 1:13). He later smote Cushan-rishathaim, king of Mesopotamia, whom the children of Israel had served 8 years, and thus not only saved the Israelites, but by reviving national sentiment among them (compare Ant, V, iv, 3), and reestablishing government, became the first of those hero-rulers known as "judges." The effects of his victory lasted an entire generation (40 years, Judges 3:9-11). He had a son named Hathath (1 Chronicles 4:13) and probably another named Meonothai (compare recensio Luciana of Septuagint, at the place). In the days of David we find a family bearing the name of Othniel, from which came Heldai the Metophathite, captain of the twelfth month (1 Chronicles 27:15).

Nathan Isaacs

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Bibliography Information

Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'OTHNIEL'".  "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia".  1915.