Jephunneh was the father of Caleb, one of the two spies who gave a positive report about the land of Canaan. He is described as a Kenite, indicating that he came from a non-Israelite tribe that was incorporated into the tribe of Judah. Through his son Caleb, Jephunneh became the ancestor of an important family in Israel.
6Then the people of Judah came to Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him: "You know what the LORD said to Moses, the man of God, at Kadesh-barnea concerning you and me.
14So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite as an inheritance to this day, because he followed the LORD, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly.
13To Caleb son of Jephunneh, Joshua gave a portion among the people of Judah, as the LORD had commanded him: Kiriath Arba, that is, Hebron—Arba being the ancestor of Anak.