Being called the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother
could mean he is either a nephew of Caleb or a half-brother with the same mother but a different father (for Caleb was the son of Jephunneh). It is even possible to understand this as meaning he was a full brother of Caleb, and that son of Kenaz
is a general designation of his family clan. This last view is what the ancient Jewish scholars favoured, for textual reasons. Some modern-day scholars think he was likely a half-brother to Caleb.1
Othniel would become Caleb’s son-in-law, because he captured Debir from the Anakim, and won Achsah as his wife (Judges 1:11–15). It’s the ideal marriage. It stands in stark contrast to Othniel’s fellow Israelites, who were intermarrying with Canaanite women—a critical factor in Israel’s apostasy. But not Othniel! He was completely untainted by that sin. For how much more of an Israelite wife could you get than the daughter of the illustrious Israelite, Caleb?
9 But when the people of Israel cried out to the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer for the people of Israel, who saved them, Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother.