Caleb Facts for 9-13 Year Olds

Categories: Joshua, Moses

• Caleb is from the tribe of Judah.
• His father is a Kenizzite.
• The Kenizzites come from Esau’s line.
• There are 400 years between Caleb and Esau.
• Scholars aren’t sure of a connection.
• If there is, though, then Caleb’s father would have been a Gentile.
• At some point, Caleb becomes a leader of the tribe of Judah.
• Gentiles could be accepted by Israel.
• Traditionally, scholars think Caleb’s name means “dog.”
• Actually, the name is a compound word. The first means “all or whole.” The second means “heart.” Therefore, it could mean “wholehearted.”
• God uses the term, “wholehearted,” to commend him.
• The first mention of Caleb occurs in Numbers 13.
• The tribe of Judah sends him as their representative when Moses sends a leader from each tribe to spy out the land of Canaan.
• Caleb is forty years old.
• The 12 leaders are told to “See what the land is like, and whether the people who live in it are strong or weak.”
• They bring back some fruit of the land.
• At the end of forty days they come back and say that the people are strong and the towns are fortified.
• Caleb is ready to go back and take the land.
• The other leaders disagree.
• The people weep all night.
• In the morning they want to replace Moses and Aaron.
• Caleb and Joshua are very upset and tear their clothes.
• They believe that the Lord will help them take the land.
• They beg the people not to turn against the Lord.
• The people threaten to stone them.
• The Lord says that those people will not enter the Promised Land.
• Caleb will be the exception. He “has a different spirit and has followed me wholeheartedly.”
• Caleb will enter the land, and his descendants shall possess it.
• After forty years, not one of that generation is left, except Caleb and Joshua.
• Caleb fights alongside Joshua for five years as they settle in Canaan.
• When it’s done, he reminds Joshua of the promises made to him.
• Caleb is now eighty-five years old and still very strong.
• Joshua blesses him and gives him the hill country Hebron.
• Caleb takes the land.
• War is over.
• According to 1 Chronicles Caleb had two wives and one concubine.
• Altogether, he has many sons.
• There is no information about his death.