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Othniel

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

First judge of Israel who delivered the people from Cushan-Rishathaim

Detailed Definition
Othniel, Caleb’s nephew and husband of Achsah, liberated Israel after their cry for help (Judges 3:7–11). His leadership restored peace for forty years. In poetry, Othniel represents the cyclical hope of deliverance, the rise of humble heroes in crisis, and the Spirit’s empowerment—often evoked as the archetype of the faithful judge whose courage renews covenant fidelity.
Example
Example in poetry:
In Judges 3:7–11, Othniel’s deliverance inspires heroic poetry about Spirit-empowered leadership; 18th-century verse depicts Othniel as first judge who brought forty years of rest; Contemporary poems explore Othniel as Caleb’s nephew and conqueror of Debir; In poems about cyclical faithfulness, Othniel begins the pattern of cry, rescue, rest; Some liturgical laments honor Othniel as model of courage and covenant obedience; Educational poems cite Othniel to teach about the judges’ era.
Additional Notes
Othniel, the first judge of Israel (Judges 3), delivers the people from Cushan-Rishathaim and brings 40 years of peace; his story establishes the cyclical pattern of apostasy, oppression, cry for help, and deliverance; poets may use him to explore the origins of leadership or the rhythm of national repentance and renewal.
Also Known As
Othniel son of Kenaz Othniel the First Judge
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