"And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother. And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Othniel Meaning in the Bible
Othniel
boy
Othniel means "lion of God" or "God's strength." He is a genuine King James Bible figure: the first of the judges, "Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother," whom "the Spirit of the LORD came upon" so that "the land had rest forty years" (Judges 3:9-11).
Is Othniel in the Bible?
Yes — Othniel appears in the King James Bible, including Judges 3:9-10.
Pronunciation:/OTH-nee-ul/
OriginHebrew
MeaningGod is my strength; Lion of God
What does Othniel mean?
Othniel is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my strength; Lion of God". Othniel means "God is my strength" or "lion of God" in Hebrew. He was the first judge of Israel after Joshua's death, raised up by God to deliver Israel from eight years of oppression under Cushan-rishathaim, king of Mesopotamia.
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Editor’s reflection
The first judge of Israel — and the only one the book gives nothing bad to say about.
Othniel (עָתְנִיאֵל) is usually read as 'lion of God' or 'God is my strength,' though the first element is uncertain. He is the son of Kenaz and the younger kinsman of Caleb, and he is the first of the deliverers in the book of Judges.
He arrives twice. In Joshua 15:16–17 and Judges 1, Caleb offers his daughter Achsah to whoever takes Kirjathsepher; Othniel takes it and marries her, and Achsah promptly asks her father for the springs of water to go with the dry southern land — one of the sharpest exchanges given to a woman in the historical books. Then in Judges 3:9–11 Israel is oppressed by Chushanrishathaim, cries to the LORD, and 'the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel.' The land had rest forty years.
What makes Othniel unusual is the silence around him. Gideon, Jephthah and Samson all come with recorded failures; Othniel is given a clean record and a short account. In a book that grows darker chapter by chapter, he is the pattern the rest fall away from.
“And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel.”
Why parents choose Othniel today
- •One of the few Judges figures with no recorded moral failure
- •El- ending places it beside Daniel, Nathaniel and Gabriel
- •Strong meaning, commonly given as 'lion of God'
- •Rare enough to be distinctive while still plainly biblical
What does Othniel mean in the Bible?
Othniel means "God is my strength; Lion of God" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Othniel means "God is my strength" or "lion of God" in Hebrew. He was the first judge of Israel after Joshua's death, raised up by God to deliver Israel from eight years of oppression under Cushan-rishathaim, king of Mesopotamia.
Othniel first appears as the nephew (or younger brother) of Caleb, who offered his daughter Achsah in marriage to whoever captured the city of Kiriath-sepher. Othniel took the city and won Achsah's hand — demonstrating the courage and initiative that would later qualify him for national leadership.
As judge, "the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war." Under his leadership, the land had peace for forty years. Othniel set the pattern for all subsequent judges — God raises up deliverers when His people cry out to Him.
Where does Othniel appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Othniel is connected to 1 key passage in the King James Bible, beginning with Judges 3:9-10. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"And the land had rest forty years."
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What are the variants and nicknames of Othniel?
Othniel has 1 recorded variant, short form, and translation across languages and biblical traditions.
Variants & related forms
Which books of the Bible mention Othniel?
Othniel is mentioned across 2 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Othniel?
Othniel — 'lion of God' — demonstrates that courageous faith qualifies us for greater assignments. His story establishes the biblical principle that when God's people cry out, He always provides a deliverer.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Othniel:
God Promises Strength in Weakness
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God Promises a Harvest If You Don't Give Up
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God Promises Courage for Every Battle
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What names are related to Othniel?
Names like Othniel
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "God is my strength; Lion of God" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Othniel
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Othniel
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Othniel name meaning: frequently asked questions
The KJV of Judges 1:13 calls him 'Caleb's younger brother,' while the wider genealogy makes him the son of Kenaz, which many readers take as kinsman or nephew rather than full brother. The Hebrew term for brother is used broadly for close male relatives, so both readings appear in commentaries.
Yes — Othniel appears in the King James Bible, including Judges 3:9-10.
Othniel means "God is my strength; Lion of God." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in Judges 3:9-10, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Common questions about the name Othniel
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Othniel?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Othniel?
You can read every verse where Othniel appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.