Who was Naam in the Bible?

Naam was a son of Caleb, mentioned in the genealogy of the tribe of Judah in 1 Chronicles 4:15. He is listed as one of Caleb's descendants, establishing his place within the important lineage of Judah.

Why is Naam mentioned in the Bible?

Naam is mentioned to document the genealogy of the tribe of Judah, showing the fulfillment of God's promises to Caleb and the continuity of the family line. His inclusion helps trace the ancestry leading to King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ.

What do we know about Naam's life?

The Bible provides no details about events in Naam's life; he is only listed by name in a genealogical record (1 Chronicles 4:15). His significance lies solely in his position as a son of Caleb within the tribal lineage of Judah.

Naam

Old TestamentMaleSon

Naam was a son of Caleb, mentioned in the genealogy of the tribe of Judah in 1 Chronicles.

Naam

Biography

Naam was a son of Caleb, son of Jephunneh, mentioned briefly in the genealogical records of the tribe of Judah in 1 Chronicles 4:15. His father Caleb was one of the two faithful spies who, along with Joshua, brought a positive report after scouting the Promised Land and urged Israel to trust God's promise of victory (Numbers 13-14). Naam's placement in the Chronicler's genealogy associates him with the Calebite sub-clan of Judah, which was allotted territory in the southern hill country around Hebron. Though no deeds or narrative details are recorded about Naam himself, his genealogical context places him within one of the most honored family lines in all of Israel, a family distinguished by extraordinary faith and courage.

Significance

Naam's brief appearance in Scripture draws its meaning entirely from his association with Caleb, one of the Old Testament's greatest exemplars of faith. The Chronicler's inclusion of Naam among Caleb's sons helps trace the continuation of a family line that God specifically blessed for its faithfulness (Numbers 14:24; Joshua 14:6-14). While Naam himself performed no recorded acts of note, his place in the genealogy reminds readers that the blessings of faithful parents extend to their children and that every generation bears the legacy of those who came before. His name, meaning "pleasant" or "delight," may reflect the joy his birth brought to Caleb's household.

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 4:15

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

View all sources & licensing →

See our editorial standards →

Content compiled from public domain scholarship, academic sources, and verified references. Editorial standards · View all sources