Original Word: כָּלֵב
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Kaleb
Pronunciation: kah-LEB
Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-labe')
KJV: Caleb
NASB: Caleb, Caleb's
Word Origin: [perhaps a form of H3611 (כֶּלֶב - dogs), or else from the same root in the sense of forcible]

1. Caleb, the name of three Israelites

Caleb

Perhaps a form of keleb, or else from the same root in the sense of forcible; Caleb, the name of three Israelites -- Caleb.

see HEBREW keleb

Word Origin
from the same as keleb
Definition
a son of Jephunneh and sent by Moses to spy out the land
NASB Translation
Caleb (31), Caleb's (4).

כָּלֵב proper name, masculine (Nabataean proper name כלבא Eut (Nö)^{p. 55}. כלבו Vog^{Nab. 6}; compare also We^{Skizzen u. Vorarbeiten iii. 217}; on כָּלֵב = dog-clan, see RS^{K 17, 190 f., 219, 254}); — son of יְפֻנֶּה (ᵐ5 Ξαλεβ; compare Lag^{BN 78}), called הַקְּנִזִּי (see קְנַז) in J E, Numbers 32:12; Joshua 14:6,14, compare Joshua 15:17 = Judges 1:13; Judges 3:9 (where קְנַז is brother of ׳כ), also 1 Chronicles 4:15; treated as full Judahite only in P Numbers 13:6 (see GFM^{Ju p. 30 f.}) the one of the spies who (with Joshua) reported well of Canaan Numbers 14:6,24,30,38; also Numbers 26:65; Numbers 34:19; Deuteronomy 1:36; Joshua 14:13; Joshua 15:13,14,16,18; Joshua 21:12 (P = 1 Chronicles 6:41) Judges 1:12,14,15,20 ("" with Joshua 15); = clan of Caleb 1 Samuel 30:14 (distinguished from Judah). Caleb is called בֶּןחֶֿצְרוֺן 1 Chronicles 2:18, compare 1 Chronicles 2:19; 1 Chronicles 2:42; 1 Chronicles 2:46; 1 Chronicles 2:48; 1 Chronicles 2:49; 1 Chronicles 2:50 = כְּלוּבָ֑י 1 Chronicles 2:9; בְּכָלֵב אֶפְרָתָה 1 Chronicles 2:24, read perh ׳בָּא כ, so ᵐ5 ᵑ9, compare Kau^AT (see אֶפְרָתָה above)

Identity and Genealogical Context

Caleb appears in two distinct family lines:

1. Caleb son of Jephunneh, the Kenizzite who is adopted into the tribe of Judah (Numbers 13:6).
2. Caleb son of Hezron (Chelubai) within the natural Judahite genealogy (1 Chronicles 2:18).

Both lines anchor the name in Judah, but Scripture sharply distinguishes the adventurous spy (son of Jephunneh) from the clan-father recorded by the Chronicler.

Faith-Filled Spy and Loyal Advocate

Sent with eleven others to reconnoiter Canaan, Caleb stands out for his unflinching confidence in the LORD’s promise: “Let us go up at once and possess it, for we are well able to overcome it” (Numbers 13:30). When the congregation rebels, Caleb and Joshua tear their garments and plead, “If the LORD delights in us, He will bring us into this land” (Numbers 14:8). This wholehearted trust earns a unique divine accolade: “My servant Caleb has a different spirit and has followed Me fully” (Numbers 14:24). Consequently he and Joshua alone of that generation are guaranteed entrance into Canaan (Numbers 14:30, 38).

Preservation through the Wilderness

Caleb’s forty-five wilderness years underscore God’s covenant fidelity. At the second census Moses repeats that “except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun, none was left” (Numbers 26:65). Moses later reminds Israel that the possession promised to Caleb is sure (Deuteronomy 1:36).

Inheritance and Heroism in the Conquest

After the land wars, Caleb approaches Joshua at Gilgal: “I am eighty-five years old today… now give me this hill country” (Joshua 14:10-12). Hebron—stronghold of the Anakim giants—becomes his portion. Joshua blesses him (Joshua 14:13); but Caleb himself drives out Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai (Joshua 15:14; Judges 1:20), proving his faith in action. He then offers his daughter Achsah to the warrior who captures Kiriath Sepher; Othniel accomplishes the feat and marries her, inaugurating a clan noted later for leadership (Judges 1:12-15; 3:9-11). Achsah’s request for “springs of water” and Caleb’s generous grant of both the upper and lower springs (Joshua 15:19) illustrate the family’s settled prosperity in south-central Judah.

Clan Expansion and Civic Influence

Joshua 21:12 preserves the detail that while Hebron becomes a Levitical city, its surrounding fields and villages remain Caleb’s. 1 Chronicles elaborates:
• A complex family tree (1 Chronicles 2:18-20, 42-50) that links Caleb’s line to Bethlehem and Kirjath Jearim.
• Descendants skilled in craftsmanship and scribal service (1 Chronicles 4:14-15).

Through this line Judah’s tribal infrastructure is strengthened, furnishing leaders, artisans, and future covenant witnesses.

Character Themes and Spiritual Typology

Wholehearted devotion. Six times Scripture pairs Caleb’s name with the verb “filled/fully followed” (e.g., Numbers 14:24; Joshua 14:14). His life illustrates undivided allegiance that trusts God against majority opinion.

Perseverance. From age forty to eighty-five he waits without bitterness, demonstrating the long view of faith.

Conquest resting on promise. Caleb’s triumph over the Anakim anticipates the believer’s victory “by faith” rather than human strength (cf. Hebrews 11:30-34).

Inheritance guaranteed. Just as Caleb’s name is linked to a secure earthly possession, so New Testament believers are “heirs of God” (Romans 8:17).

Later Biblical Echoes

While direct references cease after the monarchic genealogies, Caleb becomes a benchmark for loyalty. The Chronicler traces enduring clan influence through the exile and beyond, quietly reminding post-exilic Judah that covenant faithfulness secures future hope.

Practical Lessons for Today

• Courage grounded in God’s word can stand against popular doubt.
• Delayed promises are not denied; God keeps precise accounts of faithfulness.
• Passing on faith involves both initiative (Othniel’s challenge) and provision (Achsah’s springs).
• A “different spirit” does not isolate the believer; it galvanizes communities toward obedience.

Key References

Numbers 13:6, 30; 14:6-24, 30, 38; 26:65; 32:12

Deuteronomy 1:36

Joshua 14:6-14; 15:13-19; 21:12

Judges 1:12-20; 3:9-11

1 Chronicles 2:18-20, 42-50; 4:15

וְכָלֵ֖ב וְכָלֵ֣ב וְכָלֵב֙ וּלְכָלֵ֣ב וכלב ולכלב כָּלֵ֑ב כָּלֵ֔ב כָּלֵ֖ב כָּלֵ֗ב כָּלֵ֛ב כָּלֵ֣ב כָּלֵ֤ב כָּלֵ֥ב כָּלֵב֙ כָלֵ֑ב כָלֵ֔ב כָלֵ֖ב כָלֵ֗ב כָלֵב֙ כלב לְכָלֵ֥ב לְכָלֵ֨ב לְכָלֵב֙ לכלב chaLev kā·lêḇ ḵā·lêḇ kālêḇ ḵālêḇ kaLev lə·ḵā·lêḇ lechaLev ləḵālêḇ ū·lə·ḵā·lêḇ ulechaLev ūləḵālêḇ vechaLev wə·ḵā·lêḇ wəḵālêḇInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts