Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
A dog. ) One of the three sons of Hezron of the tribe of Judah. He is also called Chelubai (1 Chr. 2:9). His descendants are enumerated (18-20, 42-49). ) A “son of Hur, the firstborn of Ephratah” (1 Chr. 2:50). , the list in ver. 42-49] were the sons of Caleb. The sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephratah, were Shobal, etc.” Thus Hur would be the name of the son and not the father of Caleb (ver. 19). ) The son of Jephunneh (Num. 13:6; 32:12; Josh. 14:6, 14). He was one of those whom Moses sent to search the land in the second year after the Exodus.
He was one of the family chiefs of the tribe of Judah. He and Joshua the son of Nun were the only two of the whole number who encouraged the people to go up and possess the land, and they alone were spared when a plague broke out in which the other ten spies perished (Num. 13; 14). All the people that had been numbered, from twenty years old and upward, perished in the wilderness except these two.
The last notice we have of Caleb is when (being then eighty-five years of age) he came to Joshua at the camp at Gilgal, after the people had gained possession of the land, and reminded him of the promise Moses had made to him, by virtue of which he claimed a certain portion of the land of Kirjath-arba as his inheritance (Josh. 14:6-15; 15:13-15; 21:10-12; 1 Sam. 25:2, 3; 30:14). He is called a “Kenezite” in Josh. 14:6, 14. This may simply mean “son of Kenez” (Num. 32:12).
Some, however, read “Jephunneh, the son of Kenez,” who was a descendant of Hezron, the son of Pharez, a grandson of Judah (1 Chr. 2:5). This Caleb may possibly be identical with (2). ) Caleb gave his name apparently to a part of the south country (1 Sam. 30:14) of Judah, the district between Hebron and Carmel, which had been assigned to him. When he gave up the city of Hebron to the priests as a city of refuge, he retained possession of the surrounding country (Josh. 21:11, 12; comp. 1 Sam. 25:3).
Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)
(capable).
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898)
CALEB (capable). 1. The son of Hezron, of the tribe of Judah, and father of Hur. 1 Chr 2:9 (where he is called Chelubai), 1 Chr 2:18-19, 1 Chr 2:42, 1 Chr 2:46, Gen 24:48. One of the twelve spies sent by Moses into Canaan. Num 13:6. He and Joshua were the only adults born in Egypt who entered the land as conquerors, because they brought a truthful report, while the other ten were frightened, told exaggerated stories of the native population, and spread discontent and despair. Caleb and Joshua assured the people that they might easily gain possession of Canaan.
In return for these assurances, the people proposed to stone them. A plague from the Lord broke out, and the lying spies were all killed. Num 13:1-14:45. Forty-five years afterward, when the conquest was completed and the land apportioned among the tribes, Caleb, being then eighty-five years of age, applied to Joshua for his share, reminding him of the promise of God, by which he and Joshua were excepted from the general curse of the people, and proposed to take, as his share of the land, Kirjath-arha, the stronghold of the giants and the centre of their fortifications.
His request was granted, and he accordingly attacked and subdued Kirjath-arha, and thence proceeded to Kirjath-sepher, another stronghold, afterward called Debir. Here he proposed to give his daughter Achsah in marriage to the man who should capture the city. His nephew, Othniel, undertook the enterprise and succeeded, and received the promised reward. Caleb's possessions were called by his name. Josh 14:1-15:63; 1 Sam 30:14. A Caleb, the son of Hur, is mentioned in 1 Chr 2:50. He may be identical with the spy.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898) & Schaff's Bible Dictionary
CA'LEB (a dog), the district in Judah, between Hebron and Carmel, assigned to Caleb. 1 Sam 30:14.
Hitchcock's Bible Names (1869)
a dog; a crow; a basket