Othniel

Othniel was the son of Kenaz and probably the nephew of Caleb. He became the first judge of Israel. When the Israelites forgot God and served the pagan gods of Canaan they became oppressed by the King of Mesopotamia for eight years. When the Israelites cried to the Lord for deliverance He answered by raising up Othniel to deliver His people.

Othniel judged the people for forty peaceful years. The Hebrew word for Othniel means, "My strength is God." See Joshua 15:17; Judges 1:13; 3:9-11; 1 Chronicles 3:13; 27:15.

REFERENCES
	Character Sketch by Sandra Vincent, Copyright ©1998-2000 WORD SIGHT Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary Ronald F. Youngblood, General Editor, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995, Nashville/Atlanta/London/Vancouver Who's Who in the Bible Joan Comay and Ronald Brownrigg, Wings Books, 1993, New York/Avenel/New Jersey Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1996, Wheaton, Illinois