Editing Caleb (section)

==Biblical account==
Caleb, son of [[Jephunneh]] from the tribe of [[Tribe of Judah|Judah]] ([[Book of Numbers]], {{bibleverse|Numbers|13:6|9}}), is the same Caleb the great-grandson of [[Judah (son of Jacob)|Judah]] through [[Tamar (Genesis)|Tamar]] ({{bibleverse|1 Chronicles|2:3-9|9}}). He was the son of Hezron and his wife was Azubah ({{bibleverse|1 Chronicles|2:18,19|9}}).
[[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>

In the Numbers 13 listing of the heads of each tribe, {{bibleverse|Numbers|13:6|9|verse 6}} 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.

{{bibleverse|Numbers|13:30|9|Verse 30}} 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.{{'"}}<ref name=jps>Jewish Publication Society Version (1917)</ref> 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]] ({{bibleverse|Numbers|32:12|9}}, {{bibleverse|Joshua|14:6|9}},{{bibleverse|Joshua|14:14|9|14}}). 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 ({{bibleverse|Genesis|15:19|}}). However, Caleb is mentioned alongside the descendants of Judah recorded in {{bibleverse|1 Chronicles|4|9}}: "And the sons of Caleb the son of Jephunneh: Iru, Elah, and Naam; and the sons of Elah: Kenaz" ({{bibleverse|1 Chronicles|4:15|9}}).<ref name=jps /> {{bibleverse|Numbers|13:6|9}}, 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 [[Edom|Edomite clan]] (see {{bibleverse|Genesis|36:40-43|9}}).<ref name=Freedman>Freedman & Myers (2000), p. [https://books.google.com/books?id=qRtUqxkB7wkC&pg=PA763 763].</ref>

===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 ({{bibleverse|Joshua|14|9}}). 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 ({{bibleverse|Joshua|21:11-13|9}}). 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 ({{bibleverse|Judges|1:13|9}}), who became Caleb's son-in-law as well ({{bibleverse|Joshua|15:16,17|9}}).

[[1 Samuel]] {{bibleverse-nb|1 Samuel|25:3|9}} states that [[Nabal]], the husband of [[Abigail]] before [[David]], was "a Calebite" (Hebrew ''klby'').<ref name=Fokkelman>Fokkelman (1981), p. [https://books.google.com/books?id=z2Vj6-v4cv4C&pg=PA482 482].</ref> It is not stated whether this refers to one of the Calebs mentioned in the Bible, or another person bearing the same name.