Caleb: Difference between revisions
→External links: link to WQ |
imported>Anggona Era →Islam: correcting infoboxes |
||
| (One intermediate revision by one other user not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Short description|Biblical character}} | {{Short description|Biblical character}} | ||
{{ | {{About|the son of Jephunneh|another biblical Caleb|Caleb (son of Hezron)|the name|Caleb (given name)|other uses|Caleb (disambiguation)}} | ||
{{Refimprove|date=June 2025}} | |||
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}} | ||
[[File:Schnorr von Carolsfeld Bibel in Bildern 1860 058.png|thumb|right|''Return of the Spies'', 1860 woodcut by [[Julius Schnorr von Karolsfeld]] | [[File:Schnorr von Carolsfeld Bibel in Bildern 1860 058.png|thumb|right|''Return of the Spies'', 1860 woodcut by [[Julius Schnorr von Karolsfeld]]]] | ||
'''Caleb''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|eɪ|l|ə|b | '''Caleb''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|eɪ|l|ə|b}}; {{langx|he|כָּלֵב}}, <small>[[Tiberian vocalization]]:</small> {{Transliteration|he|Kālēḇ}}, <small>[[Modern Israeli Hebrew]]:</small> {{Transliteration|he|Kalév}} {{IPA|he|kaˈlev|}}) is a figure who appears in the [[Hebrew Bible]] as a representative of the [[Tribe of Judah]] during the [[Israelites]]' [[the Exodus|journey]] to the [[Promised Land]]. | ||
Following the Israelite conquest of Canaan, Caleb was described as a [[Kenizzite]] and is said to have received lands originally intended for the [[Tribe of Judah]]. The Calebites, his descendants, likely comprised a mixed population of [[Edom]]ite and Judean elements. They resided in [[Hebron Hills|southern Judah]] and in the northern part of the [[Negev]] region.<ref name=":02">{{Cite book |last=Lemche |first=Niels Peter |title=Historical dictionary of ancient Israel | Following the Israelite conquest of Canaan, Caleb was described as a [[Kenizzite]] and is said to have received lands originally intended for the [[Tribe of Judah]]. The Calebites, his descendants, likely comprised a mixed population of [[Edom]]ite and Judean elements. They resided in [[Hebron Hills|southern Judah]] and in the northern part of the [[Negev]] region.<ref name=":02">{{Cite book |last=Lemche |first=Niels Peter |date=2004 |title=Historical dictionary of ancient Israel |series=Historical dictionaries of ancient civilizations and historical eras |location=Lanham, Md. |publisher=Scarecrow Press |pages=87 |isbn=978-0-8108-4848-1}}</ref> | ||
A reference to him is also found in the [[Quran]], although his name is not mentioned ([[Al-Ma'idah]]: 20–26). | A reference to him is also found in the [[Quran]], although his name is not mentioned ([[Al-Ma'idah]]: 20–26). | ||
| Line 14: | Line 15: | ||
==Biblical account== | ==Biblical account== | ||
Caleb, son of [[Jephunneh]] | Caleb, son of [[Jephunneh]], was a member of the tribe of [[Tribe of Judah|Judah]] ([[Book of Numbers]], {{bibleverse|Numbers|13:6|9}}). His relationship to [[Caleb (son of Hezron)|Caleb, son of Hezron]], an earlier descendant of [[Judah (son of Jacob)|Judah]] ({{bibleverse|1 Chronicles|2:3-9|9}}) is unclear. | ||
[[File:Altdorfer Joshua and Caleb.jpg|thumb|227x227px|''Joshua and Caleb carrying fruit of the Promised Land,'' woodcut circa 1480 by [[Albrecht Altdorfer]] ]] | [[File:Altdorfer Joshua and Caleb.jpg|thumb|227x227px|''Joshua and Caleb carrying fruit of the Promised Land,'' woodcut circa 1480 by [[Albrecht Altdorfer]] ]] | ||
According to {{bibleverse|Numbers|13|9}}, Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, was one of [[The Twelve Spies|the twelve spies]] sent by Moses into Canaan. Their task, over a period of 40 days,<ref>{{bibleverse|Numbers|14:34|9}}</ref> was to explore the [[Negev]] and surrounding area, and to make an assessment of the geographical features of the land, the strength and numbers of the [[population]], the [[Agriculture|agricultural]] potential and actual performance of the land, settlement patterns (whether their [[City|cities]] were like camps or strongholds), and [[forestry]] conditions. Moses also asked them to be courageous and to return with samples of local produce.<ref>{{Bibleverse||Numbers|13:17-20|9}}</ref> | According to {{bibleverse|Numbers|13|9}}, Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, was one of [[The Twelve Spies|the twelve spies]] sent by Moses into Canaan. Their task, over a period of 40 days,<ref>{{bibleverse|Numbers|14:34|9}}</ref> was to explore the [[Negev]] and surrounding area, and to make an assessment of the geographical features of the land, the strength and numbers of the [[population]], the [[Agriculture|agricultural]] potential and actual performance of the land, settlement patterns (whether their [[City|cities]] were like camps or strongholds), and [[forestry]] conditions. Moses also asked them to be courageous and to return with samples of local produce.<ref>{{Bibleverse||Numbers|13:17-20|9}}</ref> | ||
| Line 31: | Line 33: | ||
==Traditional Jewish accounts== | ==Traditional Jewish accounts== | ||
[[File: | [[File:Tomb of Caleb, ca 2006.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Traditional tomb of Caleb, [[Kifl Haris]], one candidate for biblical [[Timnat Serah]]]] | ||
Traditional Jewish sources record a number of stories about Caleb which expand on the biblical account. | Traditional Jewish sources record a number of stories about Caleb which expand on the biblical account. | ||
| Line 39: | Line 41: | ||
== Islam == | == Islam == | ||
{{Infobox religious biography | |||
| religion = [[Islam]] | |||
| | | name = Kālib | ||
| | | native_name = كَالِبُ <br> [[Caleb]] | ||
| | | native name lang = ar | ||
| honorific_prefix = [[prophets and messengers in Islam|Prophet]] | |||
| honorific_suffix = [[Islamic honorifics|Alayhi as-Salam]] | |||
| office1 = [[Prophets and messengers in Islam|Prophet of Islam]] | |||
| predecessor1 = [[Aaron in Islam|Harun]] | |||
| successor1 = [[Joshua#In Islam|Yusa bin Nun]] | |||
| parents = Yufanna (father) | |||
}} | }} | ||
Caleb ({{langx|ar|كَالِبُ بْنُ يُوفَنَّى|Kālib ibn Yūfannā}}) is referenced indirectly in the [[Quran|Qu'ran]] and some scholars consider him to be one of the [[Prophets and messengers in Islam|Prophets of Islam]], though this is debated.<ref>{{Cite web |title=القرآن الكريم - تفسير ابن كثير - تفسير سورة المائدة - الآية 23 |url=https://quran.ksu.edu.sa/tafseer/katheer/sura5-aya23.html |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=quran.ksu.edu.sa}}</ref> According to [[Tafsir Ibn Kathir|Tafsir ibn Kathir]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tafsir Surah Al-Ma'idah - 23 |url=https://quran.com/al-maidah/23/tafsirs |access-date=2025-09-02 |website=Quran.com |language=en}}</ref> he was one of the two men who feared to disobey [[God in Islam|Allah]] mentioned in [[Al-Ma'idah]],<ref>[https://quran.com/al-maidah/23 Al-Ma'idah]</ref> the other person being [[Joshua|Yusha ibn Nun.]] | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| Line 53: | Line 62: | ||
* {{cite book |last= Fokkelman |first= J. P. |author-link= Jan P. Fokkelman |title= Narrative Art and Poetry in the Books of Samuel: A Full Interpretation Based on Stylistic and Structural Analyses |year= 1981 |page= 482 |publisher= Van Gorcum |location= [[Assen]] |isbn= 978-90-232-2175-3 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=z2Vj6-v4cv4C&pg=PA482 }} | * {{cite book |last= Fokkelman |first= J. P. |author-link= Jan P. Fokkelman |title= Narrative Art and Poetry in the Books of Samuel: A Full Interpretation Based on Stylistic and Structural Analyses |year= 1981 |page= 482 |publisher= Van Gorcum |location= [[Assen]] |isbn= 978-90-232-2175-3 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=z2Vj6-v4cv4C&pg=PA482 }} | ||
* {{cite book |last= Freedman |first= David Noel |author-link= Freedman |author2= Myers, Allen C. |chapter= Kenaz |title= Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible |page= 763 |year= 2000 |publisher= Amsterdam University Press |isbn= 978-90-5356-503-2 |chapter-url= https://books.google.com/books?id=qRtUqxkB7wkC&pg=PA763 }} | * {{cite book |last= Freedman |first= David Noel |author-link= Freedman |author2= Myers, Allen C. |chapter= Kenaz |title= Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible |page= 763 |year= 2000 |publisher= Amsterdam University Press |isbn= 978-90-5356-503-2 |chapter-url= https://books.google.com/books?id=qRtUqxkB7wkC&pg=PA763 }} | ||
* [[Ginzberg, Louis]] (1911). ''[https://archive.org/details/legendsofjewstra03ginz Legends of the Jews: Bible Times and Characters | * [[Ginzberg, Louis]] (1911). ''[https://archive.org/details/legendsofjewstra03ginz Legends of the Jews: Bible Times and Characters from the Exodus to the Death of Moses]''. Volume III. Philadelphia: The [[Jewish Publication Society of America]]. | ||
* {{cite book |last1= Jastrow |first1= Morris Jr. |author-link1= Morris Jastrow Jr. |last2= Barton |first2= George A. |author-link2= George A. Barton |last3= Jastrow |first3= Marcus |author-link3= Marcus Jastrow |last4= Ginzberg |first4= Louis |author-link4= Louis Ginzberg |date= 1906 |title= Jewish Encyclopedia |chapter= Caleb |chapter-url= http://jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/3918-caleb |access-date= 28 October 2014 |archive-date= 30 October 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141030073525/http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/3918-caleb |url-status= live }} | * {{cite book |last1=Jastrow |first1=Morris Jr. |author-link1= Morris Jastrow Jr. |last2= Barton |first2= George A. |author-link2= George A. Barton |last3= Jastrow |first3= Marcus |author-link3= Marcus Jastrow |last4= Ginzberg |first4= Louis |author-link4= Louis Ginzberg |date= 1906 |title=The Jewish Encyclopedia |chapter=Caleb |chapter-url= http://jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/3918-caleb |access-date= 28 October 2014 |archive-date=30 October 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141030073525/http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/3918-caleb |url-status= live }} | ||
* NAS Exhaustive Concordance, "[http://biblehub.com/nasec/hebrew/3612.htm Keleb] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731083451/http://biblehub.com/nasec/hebrew/3612.htm |date=31 July 2017 }} | * NAS Exhaustive Concordance, "[http://biblehub.com/nasec/hebrew/3612.htm Keleb]"; {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731083451/http://biblehub.com/nasec/hebrew/3612.htm |date=31 July 2017 }}, accessed 9 June 2017 | ||
{{refend}} | {{refend}} | ||
Latest revision as of 17:02, 22 December 2025
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "about". Template:Refimprove Template:Use dmy dates
Caleb (Template:IPAc-en; Template:Langx, Tiberian vocalization: Script error: No such module "lang"., Modern Israeli Hebrew: Script error: No such module "lang". Script error: No such module "IPA".) is a figure who appears in the Hebrew Bible as a representative of the Tribe of Judah during the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land.
Following the Israelite conquest of Canaan, Caleb was described as a Kenizzite and is said to have received lands originally intended for the Tribe of Judah. The Calebites, his descendants, likely comprised a mixed population of Edomite and Judean elements. They resided in southern Judah and in the northern part of the Negev region.[1]
A reference to him is also found in the Quran, although his name is not mentioned (Al-Ma'idah: 20–26).
Name
Caleb is related to the Hebrew word for 'dog' (Template:Langx), with The Jewish Encyclopedia reporting that the animal is thought to be "the totem of a clan".[2][3]
Biblical account
Caleb, son of Jephunneh, was a member of the tribe of Judah (Book of Numbers, Script error: No such module "Bibleverse".). His relationship to Caleb, son of Hezron, an earlier descendant of Judah (Script error: No such module "Bibleverse".) is unclear.
According to Script error: No such module "Bibleverse"., Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, was one of the twelve spies sent by Moses into Canaan. Their task, over a period of 40 days,[4] was to explore the Negev and surrounding area, and to make an assessment of the geographical features of the land, the strength and numbers of the population, the agricultural potential and actual performance of the land, settlement patterns (whether their cities were like camps or strongholds), and forestry conditions. Moses also asked them to be courageous and to return with samples of local produce.[5]
In the Numbers 13 listing of the heads of each tribe, Script error: No such module "Bibleverse". reads "Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh." Caleb's report balanced the appeal of the land and its fruits with the challenge of making a conquest.
Script error: No such module "Bibleverse". of chapter 13 reads "And Caleb stilled the people toward Moses, and said: 'We should go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.'"[6] Caleb and Joshua said the people should trust God and go into the land; the other ten spies, being fearful and rebellious, argued that conquering the land was impossible. They spread doubt and fear among all the people, who again wished to be back in Egypt (chapter 14 v 1-4).
Caleb as a Kenizzite
Caleb the spy is the son of Jephunneh. Jephunneh is called a Kenizzite (Script error: No such module "Bibleverse"., Script error: No such module "Bibleverse".,Script error: No such module "Bibleverse".). The Kenizzites are listed as one of the nations associated with the land of Canaan at the time that God made a covenant with Abraham (Script error: No such module "Bibleverse".). However, Caleb is mentioned alongside the descendants of Judah recorded in Script error: No such module "Bibleverse".: "And the sons of Caleb the son of Jephunneh: Iru, Elah, and Naam; and the sons of Elah: Kenaz" (Script error: No such module "Bibleverse".).[6] Script error: No such module "Bibleverse"., likewise, lists Caleb as a tribal leader in Judah. Contrarily, the Kenizzites are also generally associated with Kenaz, the son of Esau, making them an Edomite clan (see Script error: No such module "Bibleverse".).[7]
Deeds
In the aftermath of the conquest, Caleb asks Joshua to give him a mountain in property within the land of Judah, and Joshua blesses him as a sign of God's blessing and approval, giving him Hebron (Script error: No such module "Bibleverse".). Since Hebron itself was one of the Cities of Refuge to be ruled by the Levites, it is later explained that Caleb actually was given the outskirts (Script error: No such module "Bibleverse".). Caleb promised his daughter Achsah in marriage to whoever would conquer the land of Debir from the giants. This was eventually accomplished by Othniel Ben Kenaz, Caleb's nephew (Script error: No such module "Bibleverse".), who became Caleb's son-in-law as well (Script error: No such module "Bibleverse".).
1 Samuel Script error: No such module "Bibleverse". states that Nabal, the husband of Abigail before David, was "a Calebite" (Hebrew klby).[8] It is not stated whether this refers to one of the Calebs mentioned in the Bible, or another person bearing the same name.
Traditional Jewish accounts
Traditional Jewish sources record a number of stories about Caleb which expand on the biblical account. Jewish traditions identify Mered with Caleb, and his wife Bithiah with the princess who rescued Moses from the river.[9]
One account records that Caleb wanted to bring produce from the land, but that the other spies discouraged him from doing so in order to avoid giving the Israelites a positive impression of Canaan. They only agreed to carry in samples of produce after Caleb brandished a sword and threatened to fight over the matter.[10] A Midrash refers to Caleb being devoted to the Lord and to Moses, splitting from the other scouts to tour Hebron on his own and visit the graves of the Patriarchs.[11] While in Canaan with the spies, Caleb's voice was so loud that he succeeded in saving the other spies by frightening giants away from them.[12]
Islam
Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherTemplate:Wikidata imageScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Template:Compare Caleb (Template:Langx) is referenced indirectly in the Qu'ran and some scholars consider him to be one of the Prophets of Islam, though this is debated.[13] According to Tafsir ibn Kathir,[14] he was one of the two men who feared to disobey Allah mentioned in Al-Ma'idah,[15] the other person being Yusha ibn Nun.
References
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Jastrow et al. (1906), Caleb Template:Webarchive.
- ↑ NAS Exhaustive Concordance, "Keleb Template:Webarchive".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Bibleverse".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Bibleverse".
- ↑ a b Jewish Publication Society Version (1917)
- ↑ Freedman & Myers (2000), p. 763.
- ↑ Fokkelman (1981), p. 482.
- ↑ 13 Facts You Should Know about Bithiah Chabad Library
- ↑ Ginzberg (1911), p. 270.
- ↑ Ginzberg (1911), p. 272.
- ↑ Ginzberg (1911), p. 274.
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Al-Ma'idah
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Bibliography
<templatestyles src="Refbegin/styles.css" />
- Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- Ginzberg, Louis (1911). Legends of the Jews: Bible Times and Characters from the Exodus to the Death of Moses. Volume III. Philadelphia: The Jewish Publication Society of America.
- Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- NAS Exhaustive Concordance, "Keleb"; Template:Webarchive, accessed 9 June 2017