OTHNIEL ŏth’ nĭ əl (עָתְנִיאֵ֣ל, Γοθονιήλ; meaning uncertain: lion of God and God is might have been suggested). The first deliverer or judge of the Israelites (Judg 3:7-11). In Judges 1:13 and 3:9 he is said to be “the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother.” This would make him the nephew of Caleb, who with Joshua had returned a favorable report regarding the conquest of Canaan after the spies’ reconnaissance. Since Caleb is sometimes called the “Kenizzite” (Num 32:12; Josh 14:6, 14), some hold that Caleb was the son of Kenaz and older brother of Othniel. In support it is pointed out that the expression, “younger brother,” would have little significance if intended in reference to Kenaz, but would if intended for Othniel; this in view of Othniel’s marriage to Caleb’s daughter (Josh 15:17; Judg 1:13) and the need to show less disparity in age between uncle and niece. However, this last reasoning would call for the expression to be used in both Joshua 15:17 and Judges 1:13 where the marriage is mentioned, while in fact it is used in only one of these (Judg 1:13), and again in Judges 3:9 where the marriage is not mentioned. Caleb was much older than Othniel, an age difference more in keeping with his being Othniel’s uncle than older brother. Caleb was eighty-five when given his portion of land (Josh 14:10), and Judges 2:10 states that a new generation arose to bring on the defection calling for the deliverance wrought by Othniel. Again, Caleb is elsewhere called the son of Jephunneh, not Kenaz (Num 13:6; Josh 14:6; 1 Chron 4:15). And finally, 1 Chronicles 4:13 gives Kenaz’ sons as Othniel and Seraiah. It is difficult to imagine Caleb being omitted if he also were a son. It is better to explain Caleb being a Kenizzite in terms of an ancestor more distant than a father. In keeping with this is the name of Caleb’s grandson, again Kenaz, suggesting that this was a recurring family distinguished name (1 Chron 4:15).

Othniel first distinguished himself in capturing Debir (destroyed by Joshua, Josh 11:21, 22, but apparently not occupied) for his uncle, Caleb. Caleb had been granted the Hebron area where the Anakim lived. He had driven three sons of Anak from the area and desired now to take Debir (identified by Albright—though questioned by some—as Tell Beit Mirsim, thirteen m. SW of Hebron). He promised his daughter, Achsah, as wife to the man who would capture it. Nephew Othniel succeeded and was given the daughter. When her father gave her land as a present, she asked for a water source as well, and Caleb gave her “the upper springs and the lower springs” (Josh 15:19; Judg 1:15).

Othniel’s greatest service was in delivering Israelites from the control of Cushan-rishathaim (q.v.), called “king of Mesopotamia” (Aram-naharaim), served by Israel eight years. This foreign domination was in punishment for the people “forgetting the Lord their God, and serving the Baals and the Asheroth” (Judg 3:7). When the people cried to God for relief, God raised up Othniel as deliverer. Othniel was one of the four judges (Othniel, Gideon, Jephthah, Samson) of whom it is said that “The Spirit of the Lord came upon him” (Judg 3:10). Thus enabled, he defeated Cushan-rishathaim.

It was perhaps his family which provided an officer under David who is said to have been “of Othniel” (1 Chron 27:15).

Bibliography C. F. Keil, The Books of the Chronicles, KD (1878), 89, 90; J. Garstang, Joshua, Judges (1931), 263-265; M. Noth, History of Israel (1958), 56-59.