| Othniel International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
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oth´ni-el
(עתניאל,
‛othnī'ēl):
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 (Jos 15:17,
parallel found in Jdg 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, Jdg
3:9-11). He had a son named Hathath (1Ch
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 (1Ch
27:15).
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Taken from: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia by James Orr, M.A., D.D., General Editor |
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