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Caleb

Biblical
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

One of the twelve spies sent to Canaan; he and Joshua alone trusted God’s promise and entered the Promised Land.

Detailed Definition
One of twelve scouts, Caleb alone (with Joshua) urged conquest despite giants. Rewarded with Hebron, he exemplified wholehearted devotion. In poetry, Caleb represents unwavering faith, courage against majority fear, and the inheritance awaiting those who follow God fully.
Example
Example in poetry:
In John Milton’s "Paradise Lost," Caleb’s faith (Numbers 13–14) illustrates wholehearted trust; In William Cowper’s hymns, Caleb’s inheritance of Hebron celebrates perseverance; In Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s "The Seraphim," Caleb symbolizes the minority of faith; In George Herbert’s "The Church-porch," Caleb’s courage models spiritual boldness; In John Keble’s "Lyra Innocentium," Caleb represents the faithful explorer; In Christina Rossetti’s "Later Life," Caleb’s spirit inspires lifelong devotion.
Additional Notes
Caleb: Spy who, with Joshua, urged Israel to trust God for Canaan (Numbers 13–14); later received Hebron (Joshua 14). In poetry, Caleb embodies wholehearted faith (“my strength is still good”), perseverance, and the reward of long obedience. His name (“dog”) may hint at tenacity—ideal for poems on aging with vigor, courage against consensus, or the inheritance of promise after decades.
Also Known As
Caleb son of Jephunneh Caleb the Spy
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