Caleb

Technical Profile

• Name Meaning: Hebrew Kālēḇ (“Caleb,” often linked to “dog”); a personal name without a stated biblical etymology
• Period/Era: Patriarchal Period (genealogical setting) and Israel’s wilderness/conquest era (Pentateuch–early Former Prophets)
• Main References: Numbers 13–14; Deuteronomy 1; Joshua 14–15; Judges 1; 1 Chronicles 2
• Key Connections: Tribe of Judah; associated with the Kenizzites (Num 32:12); ally of Joshua son of Nun; linked to Hebron and the hill country of Judah

Who was Caleb?

Caleb was one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to survey Canaan and one of the two who urged Israel to trust the LORD’s promise (Numbers 13–14).
He is identified as “the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite,” associated with Judah and later genealogies (Num 32:12; 1 Chr 2).
Because he “wholly followed the LORD,” he was preserved through the wilderness judgment and later received an inheritance in Canaan (Num 14:24; Josh 14).

Key Events & Achievements

• Event 1: Returned from spying Canaan and, with Joshua, opposed the fearful report that led to Israel’s rebellion (Num 13:30–14:9).
• Event 2: Was singled out for a distinct inheritance promise tied to the land he had explored, unlike the generation that died in the wilderness (Num 14:24; Deut 1:36).
• Event 3: At Gilgal, claimed Hebron and drove out Anakite clans, establishing Judah’s foothold in the hill country (Josh 14:6–15; Judg 1:20).

Life Lesson & Legacy

Caleb is remembered as a Judahite leader whose steadfast loyalty to the LORD aligned with Israel’s covenantal movement from wilderness to settled inheritance.

Key Verse

“But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it.” — Numbers 14:24, ESV