Othniel Ben Kenaz

Othniel Ben Kenaz () is the first of the Biblical Judges.
==Family==
Othniel was related to Caleb, as his father Kenaz was Caleb's brother or Caleb's stepfather; both are plausible interpretations of Joshua 15:17. The Talmud (Sotah 11b) argues that Othniel was Caleb's stepbrother. When Caleb promises the hand of his daughter Achsah to him who will conquer the land of Debirhttp://gracebaptist.ws/sermons/notes/Judges/Judges1.html, it is Othniel who rises to the challenge, thus becoming Caleb's son-in-law (Josh. 15:16, 17; Judg. 1:13).
==Campaign as a Judge==
Some thirty years after the death of Joshua, the Israelites once again turned to sin and fell under the subjection of Chushan-rishathaim, the king of Mesopotamia because of the transgressions against God. He oppressed them for a full eight years; when they "cried" unto God, Othniel was raised up to be their deliverer. He was the son of Kenaz, younger brother of Caleb (Judg. 3:8, 9-11). He is the only Judge mentioned connected with the Tribe of Judah. Under Othniel, peace lasted for forty years.
After these forty years, Israel fell under the subjection of Eglon, a king of Moab who defeated Israel with help from Ammon and Amalek (Judges 3:12-13).
== See also ==
*Biblical judges
*Book of Judges
== References ==
* 
==External links==
* Book of Judges article (Jewish Encyclopedia)
Category:Judges of ancient Israel
Category:Burials in Hebron