Jephunneh יְפֻנֶּה
The Kenizzite, father of Caleb the spy.
Biography
Jephunneh, a Kenizzite, was the father of Caleb, a prominent figure in the Old Testament. Caleb was chosen as one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan. Along with Joshua, Caleb was one of the two spies who brought back a positive report and encouraged the Israelites to trust in God and take possession of the land. As a result, Caleb and Joshua were the only two adults from their generation permitted to enter Canaan. Jephunneh's Kenizzite background suggests that he may have been a descendant of the Kenizzites, a non-Israelite tribe that was later absorbed into the tribe of Judah. Caleb's inheritance in the Promised Land, including Hebron and its surrounding areas, is mentioned multiple times in connection with Jephunneh, emphasizing the faithfulness and obedience of this father-son duo.
Family
In Scripture
4 biblical books ; 2 with study contentNumbers 5 verses
- Numbers 13:6
"Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh."
- Numbers 14:6
"Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were of those who spied out the land, tore their clothes."
- Numbers 14:30
"surely you shall not come into the land concerning which I swore that I would make you dwell therein, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun."
- Numbers 14:38
"But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive of those men who went to spy out the land."
- Numbers 26:65
"For Yahweh had said of them, “They shall surely die in the wilderness.” There was not a man left of them, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun."
Deuteronomy 1 verse Study available
- Deuteronomy 1:36
"except Caleb the son of Jephunneh. He shall see it. I will give the land that he has trodden on to him and to his children, because he has wholly followed Yahweh.”"
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Joshua 5 verses Study available
- Joshua 14:6
"Then the children of Judah came near to Joshua in Gilgal. Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know the thing that Yahweh spoke to Moses the man of God concerning me and concerning you in Kadesh Barnea."
Study Joshua → - Joshua 14:13
"Joshua blessed him; and he gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for an inheritance."
Study Joshua → - Joshua 14:14
"Therefore Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he followed Yahweh, the God of Israel wholeheartedly."
Study Joshua → - Joshua 15:13
"He gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh a portion among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of Yahweh to Joshua, even Kiriath Arba, named after the father of Anak (also called Hebron)."
Study Joshua → - Joshua 21:12
"But they gave the fields of the city and its villages to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for his possession."
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1 Chronicles 2 verses
- 1 Chronicles 4:15
"The sons of Caleb the son of Jephunneh: Iru, Elah, and Naam. The son of Elah: Kenaz."
- 1 Chronicles 6:56
"but the fields of the city, and its villages, they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | יְפֻנֶּה | H3312G |