Othniel

The son of Kenaz; the first of the judges who brought salvation to Israel. He defeated Cushan-Rishathaim, a king of Mesopotamia (Aram-Naharaim in Hebrew), who had enslaved Israel for eight years. After that, the land knew peace for 40 years (Judg 3:7-11). Achsah daughter of Caleb was awarded to him as a prize for his conquest of the city of Debir, formerly Kirjath Sepher (Josh 15:15-17; Judg 1:12-13). In Joshua 15:17 he is called "Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb" and in Judges 1:13, he is mentioned as "the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother". It is not clear whether Caleb is the brother of Othniel or of Kenaz. It has therefore been suggested that Caleb and Othniel denote two clans of the tribe of Kenaz. Later they appeared in the genealogy of Judah.

Othniel's sons were Hathath and Meonothai (I Chr 4:13). His descendant Heldai the Netophathite was in charge of a division of 24,000 men in David's army (I Chr 27:15).

Concordance
Josh 15:17. Judg 1:13; 3:9,11. I Chr 4:13; 27:15