Joshua 15 18

Joshua 15:18 kjv

And it came to pass, as she came unto him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wouldest thou?

Joshua 15:18 nkjv

Now it was so, when she came to him, that she persuaded him to ask her father for a field. So she dismounted from her donkey, and Caleb said to her, "What do you wish?"

Joshua 15:18 niv

One day when she came to Othniel, she urged him to ask her father for a field. When she got off her donkey, Caleb asked her, "What can I do for you?"

Joshua 15:18 esv

When she came to him, she urged him to ask her father for a field. And she got off her donkey, and Caleb said to her, "What do you want?"

Joshua 15:18 nlt

When Acsah married Othniel, she urged him to ask her father for a field. As she got down off her donkey, Caleb asked her, "What's the matter?"

Joshua 15 verses

Joshua 15 18 Meaning

This verse describes Acsah, daughter of Caleb and wife of Othniel, taking the initiative to secure a crucial land inheritance. Upon arriving, she prompts her husband to ask her father for an additional field. Her subsequent act of dismounting from her donkey, possibly with an air of urgency or humility, directly prompts her father Caleb to ask her purpose, setting the stage for her critical request for water sources to make the inherited land truly productive.

Joshua 15 18 Context

Joshua chapter 15 details the tribal allocation of territory to Judah, the largest and most prominent tribe among the twelve. This verse is situated within a narrative section that deviates from the dry list of borders and towns, focusing on the specific allotment given to Caleb, one of the two faithful spies from Kadesh-Barnea. Having served the Lord fully (Num 14:24; Deut 1:36), Caleb receives a special inheritance around Hebron. He then promises his daughter Acsah to whoever conquers Kiriath-sepher. Othniel, Caleb's nephew (and later, the first judge), accomplishes this feat and marries Acsah. Joshua 15:18, followed by verse 19, elaborates on Acsah's personal initiative to secure not just a dry field, but also vital water sources from her father, highlighting the importance of the land's productivity. This micro-story emphasizes divine blessing, faithful inheritance, and resourceful living within the newly conquered Promised Land.

Joshua 15 18 Word analysis

• When she came: Refers to Acsah, daughter of Caleb. This phrase indicates her arrival, setting the stage for her action. It signifies her presence in Othniel's household and her deliberate approach.
• to him, she urged him: "Him" is Othniel, Acsah's newly married husband. The Hebrew verb for "urged" is וַתְּסִיתֵהוּ (va'tassithehu), which means "to incite," "to persuade," or "to entice." While it can have negative connotations (e.g., inciting to evil), here it's clearly positive, suggesting Acsah's powerful persuasion and direct prompting of her husband to act. Judges 1:14 also uses this verb in the parallel account, where the text can be read that he urged her to ask. Joshua, however, clearly puts the initiative with Acsah.
• to ask her father: Acsah understands the need to approach her father, Caleb, who held the authority and land. The request is not for her own direct possession in the same manner as the Daughters of Zelophehad (Num 27), but through the channel of her husband asking her father, or as seen immediately, for herself directly from her father.
• for a field. (שָׂדֶה, sadeh): A basic unit of land, often agricultural. While "a field" was valuable, it's clear from the next verse that she seeks more than just arid land; she aims for productive land with water. This initial request sets up the more significant one.
• And she dismounted: (וַתִּצְנַח, vatitznach): The verb means "to spring off," "to alight suddenly," or "to fall down." This suggests a swift, possibly dramatic or purposeful action rather than a gentle descent. Her dismounting likely conveys urgency, respect, humility, or determination, designed to draw her father's immediate attention and seriousness to her forthcoming plea. It’s an unconventional, powerful non-verbal communication.
• from her donkey: The donkey was a common mode of travel. Dismounting from it before speaking to a superior or approaching a serious matter was a sign of respect and intention. Acsah's forceful dismount enhances this.
• and Caleb said to her: Caleb’s direct and immediate response to her action shows his attentiveness and open nature.
• “What do you want?” Caleb's question is straightforward and open-ended. It invites Acsah to state her petition directly and concisely. This demonstrates Caleb's fatherly concern and willingness to listen to his daughter.

• When she came to him, she urged him to ask her father for a field: This phrase captures Acsah's agency. She is not passive; she initiates the strategic move. The urgency with which she persuades Othniel suggests she recognized the immediate need for a blessing of land and water to make their inheritance viable. It highlights the collaborative nature of her relationship with Othniel.
• And she dismounted from her donkey, and Caleb said to her, “What do you want?”: This sequence underscores the immediate impact of Acsah's decisive physical act. Her dismounting effectively captures her father's attention, shifting the dynamic of the conversation from routine arrival to an urgent appeal. Caleb's prompt and open question confirms her success in gaining his full attention for her important request. This is a subtle yet potent demonstration of her wisdom and resolve.

Joshua 15 18 Bonus section

This incident involving Acsah is sometimes contrasted with the cultural expectations of women's roles in ancient Israel, where women were typically more subservient. Acsah's directness and initiative, particularly in dealing with land matters and influencing her husband, present her as a woman of strength and wisdom. The detailed account of her request for springs immediately following her receiving "a field" emphasizes that quantity of land was secondary to the quality and productivity of land, intrinsically linked to water availability. The granting of both "upper springs and lower springs" (Josh 15:19) shows a generous and comprehensive fulfillment of her specific need, underlining the theme of abundant blessing. This narrative portion serves to illustrate that God's people, like Caleb and Acsah, actively participate in receiving and stewarding the promised blessings.

Joshua 15 18 Commentary

Joshua 15:18 depicts Acsah's remarkable initiative and foresight in securing her inheritance. Upon marriage to Othniel, she understood that the dry land she was to receive needed water to be productive. Her first act was to influence her husband, showing her leadership and strategic thinking. Her subsequent physical act of dismounting her donkey, likely with a dramatic urgency, powerfully captured Caleb's attention. This scene emphasizes the critical value of water rights in an arid region and highlights Caleb's benevolent character. It also serves as a subtle example of intercession and the positive outcome of making one's needs known, especially when trusting in the Lord's provision. The story celebrates resourcefulness and proactive faith, indicating that divine blessings often require human effort and petition.