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Judges 3:9 (ANIV)
But when they [the Israelites] cried out to the Lord, he raised up for them a deliverer, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, who saved them.

DRAWING NOTES:

TIME OF DAY:
Unspecified in the Bible narrative. I have set this scene at mid day.

LIGHTING NOTES:
The sun (high above) casts shadows below the figure and other objects in the scene.

CHARACTERS PRESENT:
Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother.

RESEARCH/ADDITIONAL NOTES:
This picture focuses on the appearance of the courageous warrior-leader Othniel. He lived in the late Bronze age, hence I have him carrying a bronze sword. He also has a bronze helmet on his head. Both the helmet & his leather belt buck have an image of a roaring lion’s head on it, since the translation of the Hebrew name Othniel is “lion of God”.

I have shown the judge Othniel standing I the Syrian desert, since he defeated the Arameans, i.e. people of Syria. The houses in the left hand background are the classic “beehive houses”, this ancient dwelling has evidence of its existence going back to 3,700 B.C. Beehive homes are built using mud bricks which are stacked in a conical shape which allows hot air to travel upwards allowing the ground floor where the residents live to stay cool. To keep the air cool, these houses rarely have windows which also protects the residents from the desert winds.There have been recorded examples of their construction in Palestine, Cyprus and Turkey although it is only in Syria that they have persisted to this day.

Here is the scene without the figure in the foreground.

Judges 03 – Othniel, Israel’s first judge – Background

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Background of Judges 03 – Othniel, Israel’s first judge

Who was Othniel?
We know Othniel was the son of Kenaz; and we know he was in turn Caleb’s younger brother, from Judges 1:11-15 [2] and again here in 3:9. Caleb was one of only 2 of the 12 men who entered Canaan and gave a positive report regarding the land. The other 10 gave a negative report, resulting in the Israelites wandering in the desert for 40 years. Caleb survived the wanderings, and entered the Promised land under the leadership of Joshua, son of Nun.

Othniel belonged to the tribe of Judah. Othniel had already been mentioned in Judges 1:11-15 as Caleb’s younger brother (Joshua 15:13-19 [3]).

The conflict with the Arameans must have been decisive, since after it, Israel enjoyed peace for 40 years (Judges 3:11). Othniel, as judge, would have had many jobs/tasks/offices to fulfill besides that of a warrior-leader. In light of that it was clear that he was in great need of the Spirit of God, requiring great wisdom, courage, determination and a certain amount of tenacity, to enable him to guide and govern the stubborn, stiff-necked and fickle Israelites to obedience towards Yahweh their God.

[2]
Judges 1:11-15 (ANIV)
11 From there they advanced against the people living in Debir (formerly called Kiriath Sepher). 12 And Caleb said, “I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage to the man who attacks and captures Kiriath Sepher.”
13 Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, took it; so Caleb gave his daughter Acsah to him in marriage.
14 One day when she came to Othniel, she urged him to ask her father for a field. When she got off her donkey, Caleb asked her, “What can I do for you?”
15 She replied, “Do me a special favour. Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me also springs of water.” Then Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs.

[3]
Joshua 15:13-17 (ANIV)
13 In accordance with the Lord’s command to him, Joshua gave to Caleb son of Jephunneh a portion in Judah—Kiriath Arba, that is, Hebron. (Arba was the forefather of Anak.) 14 From Hebron Caleb drove out the three Anakites—Sheshai, Ahiman and Talmai—descendants of Anak. 15 From there he marched against the people living in Debir (formerly called Kiriath Sepher). 16 And Caleb said, “I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage to the man who attacks and captures Kiriath Sepher.”
17 Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s brother, took it; so Caleb gave his daughter Acsah to him in marriage.