Judges 1:12 kjv
And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.
Judges 1:12 nkjv
Then Caleb said, "Whoever attacks Kirjath Sepher and takes it, to him I will give my daughter Achsah as wife."
Judges 1:12 niv
And Caleb said, "I will give my daughter Aksah in marriage to the man who attacks and captures Kiriath Sepher."
Judges 1:12 esv
And Caleb said, "He who attacks Kiriath-sepher and captures it, I will give him Achsah my daughter for a wife."
Judges 1:12 nlt
Caleb said, "I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage to the one who attacks and captures Kiriath-sepher."
Judges 1 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Josh 14:6 | Then the children of Judah came to Joshua in Gilgal; and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him: "You know the word which the Lord said to Moses... concerning me..." | Caleb's unwavering faith and claim to inheritance. |
| Josh 14:12 | Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. | Caleb's request for challenging territory. |
| Josh 14:14 | Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel. | God's fulfillment of promise to Caleb. |
| Josh 15:13-19 | As for Caleb the son of Jephunneh, according to the command of the Lord to Joshua, he gave him Kiriath Arba, which is Hebron. ... And Caleb said, “He who attacks Kiriath-sepher..." | Direct parallel account, confirming context. |
| Num 13:30 | Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, "Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it." | Caleb's early display of courage and faith. |
| Num 14:24 | "But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it." | God's special promise and blessing to Caleb. |
| Deut 1:36 | "except Caleb the son of Jephunneh; he shall see it, and to him and his children I will give the land where he trod, because he has wholly followed the Lord." | God's oath regarding Caleb's inheritance. |
| Judg 1:13 | So Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, captured it; and he gave him Achsah his daughter as wife. | Immediate fulfillment of Caleb's promise. |
| Judg 3:9-10 | When the children of Israel cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer for them: Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, who delivered them. | Othniel as Israel's first judge. |
| Judg 1:1-2 | After the death of Joshua it came to pass that the children of Israel asked the Lord, saying, “Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites to fight against them?” | Judah's role in leading the conquest. |
| Prov 22:29 | Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men. | Principle of rewarding diligence/skill. |
| Matt 25:29 | "For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away." | Principle of reward for proactive use of gifts. |
| Phil 2:3-4 | Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests | The idea of challenging others for a good cause (indirectly). |
| 1 Cor 9:24 | Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. | Using a "prize" to encourage striving. |
| Jas 1:12 | Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. | Reward for endurance and faithfulness. |
| Deut 20:1-4 | When you go out to battle against your enemies... "The Lord your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you." | God empowering Israel in battle. |
| Ezra 10:28 | Of the sons of Bigvai: Uthai and Zabbud; and of the sons of Bebai: Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai. (Refers to marriage practices in a later period). | Marriage customs/family connections. |
| Ruth 4:10 | "Moreover, Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, I have acquired as my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead..." | Marriage ensuring lineage and inheritance. |
| Acts 20:24 | "But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy..." | Willingness to face danger for a greater purpose. |
| Eph 6:13 | Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. | Spiritual warfare requiring courageous action. |
| Josh 10:1-11 | Example of conquering powerful Amorite cities. | Israelite strategy for overcoming strongholds. |
Judges 1 verses
Judges 1 12 Meaning
Judges 1:12 describes Caleb, a prominent leader in the tribe of Judah, issuing a challenge: he will give his daughter, Achsah, as a wife to any man who successfully attacks and captures the Canaanite city of Kiriath-sepher. This declaration serves as a strategic incentive for courageous military action during the Israelite conquest of Canaan.
Judges 1 12 Context
Judges chapter 1 opens shortly after the death of Joshua, marking a transition period where the Israelite tribes are left to complete the conquest and settlement of the promised land. The chapter details initial successes of various tribes, particularly Judah, in driving out the Canaanites, but also records their failures to wholly dispossess them. This verse specifically places Caleb's challenge within the context of Judah's ongoing efforts to secure their allocated territory, which included the region where Kiriath-sepher (also known as Debir) was located. Caleb, having already claimed Hebron through an earlier promise from God, now sets a challenge to take a key, fortified Canaanite stronghold, showing leadership and faith in the face of daunting odds. This act exemplifies the spirit of individual and tribal initiative necessary to complete the divine mandate.
Judges 1 12 Word analysis
And: (Hebrew: vav) Connects this action to the ongoing narrative of conquest.
Caleb: (Hebrew: Kaleb) A prominent figure from the tribe of Judah, known for his unwavering faith and singular devotion to the Lord since the Exodus (Num 14:24, Josh 14:8). He embodies loyalty to God's promises and military resolve.
said,: (Hebrew: va-yo'mer) Signifies a deliberate and public declaration.
‘I will give: (Hebrew: 'et'en) A resolute promise from a figure of authority. It implies a transfer of possession and responsibility, setting up a binding obligation. This is not a common bride-price (mohar) but an incentive or reward.
my daughter: (Hebrew: bati) Highlights the familial connection and the high value placed on the prize. The daughter, Achsah, is a cherished family member.
Achsah: (Hebrew: Ach-sah) Her name means "anklet" or "shining through." She is presented as the precious reward for valor. Her subsequent actions (Judg 1:15) show her to be an independent and shrewd individual, not merely a chattel.
as a wife: (Hebrew: l'isha) The outcome is a marriage, which grants status, alliance with Caleb's prominent family, and inclusion in the inheritance. This offers not only a spouse but a secure place within the covenant community.
to the man who attacks: (Hebrew: asher yakkeh) Emphasizes direct military action, courage, and taking the initiative. It's a specific call to conquer by striking.
Kiriath-sepher: (Hebrew: Kiryaat Sepher) Means "City of the Book" or "City of Scribes." This suggests it was a center of learning, archives, or religious activity for the Canaanites. Its conquest had symbolic importance, asserting Israelite dominance over Canaanite wisdom and institutions. It is also known as Debir (Josh 15:15), which means "back" or "oracle/inner sanctuary," implying a significant strategic or cultic center.
and captures it.’: (Hebrew: yelikdanuha) Indicates a successful and complete taking of the city. The action must be decisive and effective.
Words-group Analysis:
- "Caleb said, 'I will give my daughter Achsah as a wife'": This phrase underscores Caleb's leadership and patriarchal authority. It demonstrates his strategic thinking, using a valuable familial bond to motivate action essential for the conquest, reinforcing the principle that rewards await those who actively participate in God's will.
- "to the man who attacks Kiriath-sepher and captures it.": This phrase establishes the specific and challenging military objective. It requires a courageous volunteer to directly engage a strong enemy stronghold, signifying the cost and determination required to possess the Promised Land. The prize (Achsah) is directly linked to an act of great valor and strategic importance.
Judges 1 12 Bonus section
The story of Kiriath-sepher and Achsah, particularly when combined with Joshua 15:16-19 and Judges 1:15, uniquely portrays the agency of women in Israelite society during the period of the Judges. While Achsah is initially presented as a prize, her subsequent actions demonstrate remarkable boldness and shrewdness. After marrying Othniel (who conquers the city), she persuades him (or requests herself) to ask Caleb for additional land, specifically the upper and lower springs. This indicates her active role in securing not just her portion but a valuable addition for the family's sustenance and prosperity. This detail highlights that women, even within a patriarchal society, could exercise influence and take initiative regarding their family's inheritance and future. The "City of the Book" moniker for Kiriath-sepher suggests a level of Canaanite literacy or record-keeping that would have been absorbed or dismantled by the Israelites, showcasing the spiritual victory of Yahweh over local pagan wisdom.
Judges 1 12 Commentary
Judges 1:12 presents Caleb's strategic and faithful initiative in the ongoing conquest of Canaan. Faced with a formidable fortified city, Kiriath-sepher (Debir), he employs a practical yet deeply significant incentive: offering his own daughter Achsah in marriage to the victor. This challenge highlights several crucial aspects. First, it underscores Caleb's unyielding faith and leadership, consistent with his character portrayal in earlier biblical narratives (Numbers 13-14, Joshua 14-15). He did not command others from a distance but placed a high personal stake in the mission. Second, the "prize" of marriage to Achsah was not merely personal gratification but brought the recipient into the esteemed lineage of Caleb, granting social status and a share in the tribal inheritance within God's promised land. Third, the targeted city, Kiriath-sepher, likely a significant Canaanite intellectual or religious center, represented a spiritual and strategic stronghold; its capture was vital for securing Israelite territory and undermining pagan influence. This verse is a testament to the fact that while God promises the land, its full possession requires human courage, initiative, and obedience, motivated by spiritual commitment and sometimes tangible rewards.