Joshua 15:13-19

Caleb's Inheritance Joshua 15:13-19

13 And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the Lord to Joshua, even the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron.
14 And Caleb drove thence the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak.
15 And he went up thence to the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of Debir before was Kirjath-sepher.
16 And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjath-sepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.
17 And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife.
18 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?
19 Who answered, Give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs and the nether springs.

9.

What is the meaning of the name Kirjath-sepher? Joshua 15:15

Kirjath-sepher is a name meaning a book-city. As the Scripture makes clear, this was the old name of the city of Debir. The city was probably a location of book storage, and thus the name was given to the community. This city was the prize which Caleb offered to the courageous man who would conquer the town. Since Achsah was also to be the bride of this conqueror, it was an honor to be desired. Othniel, son of Kenaz, performed this feat and received the city as a prize for his valor.

10.

What was Othniel's relationship to Caleb? Joshua 15:17

Othniel is described as the son of Kenaz. He is also known as Israel's first judge (Judges 3:9). Since Caleb is described as a Kenezite (Joshua 14:6) some suppose that his ancestor was also Kenaz, but Caleb is definitely described as the son of Jephunneh. It would appear, therefore, that Kenaz was Caleb's younger brother and that Othniel was the son of Caleb's brother. The Masoretes have decided against this and have concluded that Othniel was Caleb's younger brother. Still, it seems better to believe that Kenaz was Caleb's brother and that Othniel was Caleb's nephew. Such marriages were not uncommon in ancient times; for we notice that Abraham married his half sister, and Nahor, Abraham's brother, married his niece, the daughter of Haran (Genesis 11:29). The marriage of a man with his brother's daughter, however, was not forbidden in the Law.

11.

For what field did Achsah ask? Joshua 15:19

The field for which Achsah asked was not the field which surrounded the town of Debir for this would naturally go with the town. Achsah asked for a specific field which could be cultivated and which was abundantly supplied with springs of water, both an upper and lower spring being mentioned. Caleb granted her request. Thus, Caleb, the faithful judge, who was chosen out of the tribe of Judah was comfortably settled with his family in the midst of the land which was given to Judah.