The term “Calebite” refers to someone who is a descendant of Caleb, one of the spies sent by Moses to scout out the Promised Land (Numbers 13). Caleb and Joshua were the only two spies who believed that God would help the Israelites conquer the land, while the other ten spies gave a bad report and discouraged the people (Numbers 13:25-33). As a result, the Israelite nation had to wander in the wilderness for 40 years until the unbelieving generation died off. Only Caleb and Joshua from the older generation were allowed to eventually enter Canaan (Numbers 14:26-35).
When it came time to divide up the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel, Caleb requested the territory of Hebron as his inheritance, since this is where the Anakites with their fortified cities were located. Caleb wanted this challenge because he trusted that God would help him drive out these mighty inhabitants, just as God promised (Joshua 14:6-15). God honored Caleb’s faith and he was successful in conquering Hebron and destroying the sons of Anak (Joshua 15:13-19).
Later on in Israelite history, the Calebites became one of the main clans within the tribe of Judah. The Calebites lived in the southern part of Judah near Hebron and were known as courageous warriors. They helped David fight against the Philistines and were among his mighty men (1 Chronicles 12:18). Other references to the Calebites are found in genealogies chronicling the resettlement of Judah after the Babylonian captivity (1 Chronicles 2:18,42,50).
So in summary, a “Calebite” refers to a brave, faithful person who is a descendant of Caleb and likely from the tribe of Judah. Caleb himself modeled complete trust in God despite overwhelming opposition. He relied on God’s strength rather than his own. Calebites throughout history exhibited similar loyalty to the Lord and a willingness to fully obey Him. They understood that God honors those who honor Him, and who humbly depend on His power to overcome giant obstacles.
Caleb’s Background
Caleb first appears in the biblical account as one of the twelve men chosen to explore the Promised Land before the Israelite conquest. Caleb came from the tribe of Judah (Numbers 13:6). Although scripture does not provide many details about his background, Caleb is described as the “son of Jephunneh” (Numbers 13:6; 32:12). His age at the time of spying out Canaan would have been around 40 years old, based on the chronology that he was 85 when he approached Joshua to request his inheritance some 45 years later (Joshua 14:7,10).
Caleb was likely already a man of strong faith before being selected as a leader from his tribe. God would not have chosen him to evaluate the land unless he exhibited promising qualities. Caleb remained zealous for God throughout those challenging years in the wilderness. His commitment never wavered despite the people’s frequent grumbling and lack of trust in Yahweh. Caleb trusted God to make provision for them, unlike the faithless generation around him.
Caleb and the Promised Land
When the twelve spies returned from their forty day mission, they gave an account before Moses, Aaron and the whole Israelite community. Ten of the men gave a bad report saying that the inhabitants were too strong and the cities too fortified to defeat (Numbers 13:28-29). “We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them” they said (Numbers 13:33). They spread a bad report among the people about not being able to take possession of the land.
However, Caleb silenced the people and urged them to go up and take the land, saying “We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we will surely overcome it” (Numbers 13:30). He expressed complete confidence in God’s promise to deliver Canaan into their hand. But the crowd threatened to stone Caleb and Joshua for their faith in God’s power (Numbers 14:10). They bemoaned it would have been better to die in Egypt or the wilderness (Numbers 14:2).
Due to their grumbling and rebellion, God cursed that generation saying they would wander 40 years until the older faithless generation died off, except for Caleb and Joshua (Numbers 14:20-35). Of the twelve spies, only these two men would enter the Promised Land because “they remained true to me” (Numbers 14:24, 30). God rewarded the faith of Caleb and promised he would possess the land he explored. Many years later when Caleb requested his share of land at age 85, he referenced God’s promise from decades earlier (Joshua 14:6-9).
Caleb’s Conquest
After the Israelite conquest of Canaan, Eleazar the priest and Joshua divided up portions of land to the tribes by lot. The tribe of Judah came to Joshua requesting Caleb be given land for his inheritance, according to the word of the Lord through Moses (Joshua 14:6-12). Caleb went to Joshua and reminded him of God’s promise when they brought back the good report decades earlier. Despite his advanced age of 85, Caleb declared he was just as strong as the day Moses sent him to explore the land. He requested the hill country of Hebron where the Anakites resided in great fortified cities.
Caleb wanted this challenge because he trusted God would help him drive out these mighty warriors, just as He promised (Joshua 14:12). Joshua then blessed Caleb and granted his request, giving him Hebron as an inheritance (Joshua 14:13-15). When Caleb drove out the sons of Anak from Hebron, he offered his daughter Aksah in marriage to whoever could conquer the nearby land of Debir. His nephew Othniel rose to the challenge and won Aksah as his wife. Then she persuaded her father Caleb to grant her springs of water, which he did (Joshua 15:13-19).
God honored Caleb’s fearless faith by empowering him to drive out the Anakites from his land inheritance. Despite being 85 years old, Caleb did not allow his advanced age to discourage him from wholly following the Lord’s directives. He trusted that just as God helped him decades earlier to stand against the crowd, He would help him defeat the giants in the land. Caleb’s supreme confidence in God is exemplary for all believers.
The Calebites in Israelite History
The descendants of Caleb, known as Calebites, established themselves mainly in the southern part of Judah near Hebron where their forefather had been granted an inheritance. Like their ancestor, the Calebites were known as courageous warriors. During the time of King David, some of the tribe of Manasseh defected to the Philistines but the Manassites who sided with David were helped by the Calebites and other warriors to fight the Philistines (1 Chronicles 12:19-20). Having men like the Calebites with David gave him great strength and advantage in battle.
Among David’s mighty men listed in 2 Samuel 23 and 1 Chronicles 11 were two individuals from the Calebites: Ithai son of Ribai and Benaiah son of Jehoiada (2 Samuel 23:29; 1 Chronicles 11:31). Another variation of Benaiah’s name is listed among David’s thirty mighty men “Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant man of Kabzeel” (2 Samuel 23:20). Kabzeel was a city allotted to the tribe of Judah located in the Negev where the Calebites resided (Joshua 15:20-21). So this Benaiah was likely from the Calebite clan as well.
After the Babylonian captivity, families from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin resettled the towns and cities of their ancestors. Several references are made to the “descendants of Caleb” reestablishing themselves during this time period (1 Chronicles 2:18, 42, 50). So the Calebites remained a recognized clan within the tribe of Judah even centuries after their founder Caleb originally conquered the land of Hebron.
Lessons from Caleb’s Life
There are several important lessons we can take away from examining Caleb’s story in Scripture:
- Caleb wholly followed the Lord his God (Deuteronomy 1:36). His commitment never wavered despite challenging circumstances.
- He stood on God’s promises and truths rather than fearing physical obstacles (Numbers 13:30).
- Caleb sought to inspire faith rather than unbelief (Numbers 13:30).
- He trusted in God’s power rather than relying on his own strength (Joshua 14:11-12).
- Caleb made decisions based on obeying God despite his old age (Joshua 14:10-12). He refused to use age as an excuse.
- He received an inheritance through faith and patience (Hebrews 6:12). Caleb waited 45 years to obtain what was promised to Him.
Overcoming adversity and showing unwavering commitment to God characterized Caleb’s life. He modeled strong, fearless leadership by fully obeying the Lord. Caleb inspires all believers to wholly follow God in faith regardless of potential obstacles and societal pressures. His life illustrates the rewards of faithfulness.
Attributes of a Calebite
Based on Caleb’s biblical story, we can summarize the key attributes of a “Calebite” as someone who:
- Follows the Lord wholeheartedly and remains faithful despite backsliding of others
- Believes firmly in God’s promises and wisdom
- Maintains loyalty to God even in adversity, not complaining or rebelling
- Courageously stands on conviction and inspires faith in others
- Demonstrates humility, integrity and obedience
- Perseveres through trials and patiently waits on God’s timing
- Willingly relies on God’s power to overcome “giants” and obstacles
- Refuses to let age be a limiting factor in serving God
- Defeats enemies and experiences victory through faith in God
- Receives a lasting inheritance due to faithfulness to the Lord
In summary, a “Calebite” is someone marked by bold, fierce faith in God and His promises despite facing difficult trials or seemingly impossible obstacles. Calebites wholly follow the Lord, inspire faith in others, persevere through adversity, defeat giants, and receive eternal rewards – all through humble reliance on Almighty God. They live out inspiring examples of courage, devotion and trust for all believers to emulate.