Jephunneh

Jephunneh is a figure mentioned in the Hebrew Bible chiefly as the father of Caleb. In the biblical text he is described as a Kenizzite, a designation that identifies Caleb’s lineage as outside some Israelite tribes, though Caleb is associated with the tribe of Judah in the narrative. Beyond this genealogical reference, little is recorded about Jephunneh himself.

Jephunneh’s most prominent appearance is in the accounts of the spies sent to Canaan. In Numbers 13:8, Caleb is introduced as “the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite.” This phrasing emphasizes Caleb’s non-Israelite origin while still presenting him as part of the Israelite community. Joshua 14:6 also presents Caleb in connection with Jephunneh, and later in Joshua 14:14 Caleb is described as belonging to the tribe of Judah, affirming his place among Israelite leadership. Caleb’s faithfulness and positive report, alongside Joshua, stands in contrast to the other spies’ discouraging assessment.

Etymology and scholarly notes about Jephunneh are limited. The name is rarely discussed outside genealogical contexts. The term Kenizzite has been linked by some scholars to the Kenaz/Kenites line associated with Esau in Genesis, though the exact identity and status of the Kenizzites remain debated. In any case, Jephunneh’s primary biblical significance lies in his being named as Caleb’s father, illustrating Caleb’s distinctive heritage within the broader narrative of the Israelites’ settlement of Canaan.