Are Java classes considered to be objects themselves?

Are Java classes considered to be objects themselves?

I know that Java classes provide the blueprint for objects.
I also know that all classes inherit from the Object class.

With those facts in mind are Java classes still considered to be objects
themselves?
I have searched many resources and am still confused. Many references will
say everything in Java (besides primitives) are objects, including classes
and your class files... such as here:
http://howtoprogramwithjava.com/podcast-episode-10-objects-and-static-keyword
I searched StackExchange and this question helped a little but didn't
completely answer my specific question.