Difference between revisions of "Othniel"

<p> ("lion of God".) &nbsp;1 Chronicles 4:13. Son of Kenaz. (See [[Kenaz]] , on his relation to [[Caleb]] or "the Kenizzite".) Caleb's younger brother (&nbsp;Joshua 15:17; &nbsp;Judges 1:13; &nbsp;Judges 3:9). First of the judges. [[Took]] [[Kirjath]] Sepher (Debir), in the mountainous region of [[Hebron]] in Judah (&nbsp;Joshua 14:12-14), and received Achsah, his wife, as the prize. (See [[Achsah]] .) [[Van]] de Velde believes "the upper and nether springs" which she received was a spring rising on a hill N. of wady Dilbeh (two hours S.W. of Hebron), and brought down by an aqueduct to the foot of the hill. ''(But See Debir.)'' [[Othniel]] delivered [[Israel]] from Chushan Rishathaim, and gave "the land rest 40 years." (See CHUSHAN RISHATHAIM.) He had a son, [[Hathath]] (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 4:13-14), and "Meonithai". (See [[Meonothai]] .) </p> <p> In &nbsp;Judges 3:11 it is not asserted that Othniel lived to the end of the 40 years, which would make his life unduly long as the brother of Caleb; but simply, he died after restoring rest to the land. It was in answer to Israel's cry that [[Jehovah]] raised up Othniel as their "saviour" (&nbsp;Psalms 107:13-19; &nbsp;Psalms 50:15). "The Spirit of Jehovah" came upon his human spirit, enabling him to accomplish what his natural strength could not. "He judged Israel ''(Not Merely Settling Their Internal Disputes In [[Justice]] As Civil Judge, But [[Restoring]] Their Right In Relation To Their Foreign Oppressor, For It Is Added)'' , and went out to war." "Judging" means lastly restoring Israel to its right attitude toward Jehovah, putting down idolatry (&nbsp;Judges 2:18-19; &nbsp;Judges 6:25-32). All this needed the sevenfold "spirit of wisdom and understanding," etc. &nbsp;Isaiah 11:2-3.) </p>

<p> [[Othniel]] (''Ŏth'Ni-El'' ), ''Lion Of God.'' The successor of Joshua. He was the son of Kenaz, the younger brother of Caleb, of the tribe of Judah; and for his valor in seizing the city of Debir, he was rewarded by the gift of Achsah, the daughter of Caleb, in marriage. He delivered the Hebrews from the bondage in which they had been held for eight years by the Mesopotamians, and during the 40 years of his administration the Hebrews remained faithful to Jehovah. &nbsp;Joshua 15:16-19; &nbsp;Judges 1:11-15; &nbsp;Judges 3:8-11; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 4:13. </p>

<p> (Heb. Othniel', עָתְנַיאֵל ''Lion Of God;'' Sept. Γοθονιήλ ), the first judge or regent of the Hebrews after the death of Joshua. He was the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb (but see Rosenmü ller, ''Schol. In Jos.'' p. 295 sq.), of the tribe of Judah. (See Caleb); (See Kenaz). Othniel displayed extraordinary valor in seizing the city of Debir, or Kirjath-sepher, for which exploit he was rewarded by the gift of Achsah, the daughter of Caleb, in marriage. [[Afterwards]] he was made the instrument of delivering the Hebrews from- the severe bondage in which they had been held for eight years by the Mesopotamians. During the forty years of his administration (B.C. 1567- 1527) the Hebrews remained faithful to Jehovah their God and king, and consequently prospered (&nbsp;Joshua 15:16-19; &nbsp;Judges 1:11-15; &nbsp;Judges 3:8-11; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 4:13; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 27:15). (See [[Judges]]). </p>