Othniel

Othniel was the first judge of Israel, a nephew (or younger brother) of Caleb who had already distinguished himself by capturing the city of Debir to win Caleb's daughter Achsah as his wife (Judges 1:12–13; Joshua 15:16–17). When Israel fell into servitude under Cushan-rishathaim of Mesopotamia, the Spirit of the LORD came upon Othniel, and he defeated the oppressor and delivered Israel, which then had rest for forty years (Judges 3:7–11). His account establishes the paradigmatic cycle of the book of Judges: apostasy, oppression, cry to God, raising of a deliverer, victory, and rest. As the first judge and the only one from the tribe of Judah, Othniel holds an exemplary place in the tradition.