Othniel the first Judge of Israel

Judges 3:7-11. After an oppression of eight years by the Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram Naharaim, the Israelites again cried out to the LORD, and He gave them a deliverer or Judge called Othniel.

Othniel judged or ruled Israel for 40 years and was the first of seventeen Judges or rulers.

Othniel, son of Kenaz, was the younger brother of Caleb and married Caleb’s daughter Acsah after capturing Kiriath Sepher.

Othniel in Hebrew means: Lion of God.

Time line of the Judges of Israel

17 Judges of Israel

Background Reading:

Othniel, Israel’s First Judge

3:5 The Israelis continued to live among the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, 6 taking their daughters as wives for themselves, giving their own daughters to their sons, and serving their gods. 7 The Israelis kept on practicing evil in full view of the LORD. They forgot the LORD their God and served Canaanite male and female deities. 8 Then in his burning anger against Israel, the LORD delivered them to domination by King Cushan-rishathaim of Aram-naharaim. So the Israelis served Cushan-rishathaim for eight years. 9 When the Israelis cried out to the LORD, the LORD raised up Othniel son of Caleb’s younger brother Kenaz, to deliver them, and he did. 10 The Spirit of the LORD was on him, and he governed Israel. When Othniel went out to battle, the LORD handed king Cushan-rishathaim of Aram-naharaim into his control, and Othniel’s domination of Cushan-rishathaim was strong. 11 As a result, the land was quiet for 40 years. Then Kenaz’ son Othniel died.
Judges 3:7-11


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