Family and Lineage
Othniel is named in Scripture as the son of Kenaz. His relationship to Caleb son of Jephunneh is variously described in the sources: the biblical text presents him as either Caleb's younger brother or as the son of Caleb's brother Kenaz, and Jewish tradition (the Talmud) holds that Othniel was Caleb's brother. He is associated with the tribe of Judah, and is the only one of the judges connected with that tribe.
According to 1 Chronicles, Othniel had a brother named Seraiah and two sons, Hathath and Meonothai.
The Capture of Debir and Marriage to Achsah
Caleb offered his daughter Achsah in marriage to whoever would attack and take the city of Debir, also called Kiriath-sepher (or Kiriath-sannah). Othniel took the city and so was permitted to marry Achsah, becoming Caleb's son-in-law. This account is recorded in Joshua 15:16-19 and Judges 1:9-15.
After the marriage, Achsah asked her father for springs of water, and Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs as a dowry.
Deliverer and Judge of Israel
After the death of Joshua, the Israelites turned away from God and were given over into servitude under Cushan-rishathaim, king of Aram-Naharaim (Mesopotamia), for eight years, as recorded in Judges 3:8. When the people cried out to the Lord, He raised up Othniel to deliver them.
Othniel judged Israel and overcame Cushan-rishathaim, and the land had rest for forty years, according to the account in Judges 3:9-11. As the first of the judges, he stands at the head of that succession of leaders whom God raised up to deliver Israel in the period between Joshua and the kings.
Veneration in Orthodox Tradition
The Orthodox Church venerates Othniel among the Holy Forefathers — the righteous men and women of the Old Covenant who awaited the coming of Christ. He is commemorated on the Sunday before the Nativity of Christ, the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers, on which the lineage and the faithful of Israel are remembered.
