One day Acsah came to Othniel and urged him to ask her father for a field. When she got off her donkey, Caleb asked her, "What do you desire?" One dayThis phrase sets the scene for a specific event, indicating a moment of significance in the narrative. In the Hebrew context, "one day" often marks a turning point or a moment of divine intervention. It suggests that what follows is not just a mundane occurrence but a pivotal moment in the unfolding account of God's people. when she came to Othniel
The mention of Othniel, who later becomes Israel's first judge, is significant. His name means "God is my strength," reflecting his role as a deliverer. The relationship between Othniel and the woman, Achsah, is rooted in familial and covenantal ties, emphasizing the importance of family and divine purpose in the biblical narrative. she urged him
The Hebrew root for "urged" conveys a sense of persistence and determination. Achsah's action here is proactive and assertive, highlighting her wisdom and influence. In a patriarchal society, her initiative is noteworthy, demonstrating that God often works through unexpected channels and individuals. to ask her father for a field
Land ownership in ancient Israel was a sign of blessing and inheritance. By asking for a field, Achsah is seeking to secure her family's future and fulfill God's promise of land to His people. This request reflects the broader biblical theme of God's provision and the importance of faith in claiming His promises. When she got off her donkey
The act of dismounting from a donkey is symbolic of respect and readiness to engage in serious conversation. In the ancient Near East, donkeys were common means of transportation, and getting off one signified a transition from travel to interaction. This gesture sets the stage for the ensuing dialogue with Caleb. Caleb asked her
Caleb, a man of faith and one of the original spies who trusted in God's promise, is portrayed as a wise and discerning leader. His willingness to listen to Achsah reflects a culture of mutual respect and the value of seeking counsel. Caleb's question opens the door for Achsah to express her desires, illustrating the importance of communication and understanding in relationships. 'What do you want?'
This question is both direct and open-ended, inviting Achsah to articulate her needs and desires. It reflects a biblical principle of seeking and asking, as seen in Matthew 7:7, "Ask, and it will be given to you." Caleb's inquiry encourages believers to approach God with their requests, trusting in His willingness to provide according to His will. Persons / Places / Events 1. AchsahThe daughter of Caleb, who is proactive in securing a blessing for her family. 2. OthnielAchsah's husband, who is encouraged by Achsah to ask Caleb for a field. 3. CalebA leader of the tribe of Judah, known for his faithfulness and courage, who is approached by his daughter for a blessing. 4. The FieldRepresents a tangible blessing and inheritance, significant in the context of land distribution among the Israelites. 5. The DonkeyA mode of transportation, symbolizing Achsah's journey and determination. Teaching Points Proactive FaithAchsah's initiative in asking for a blessing demonstrates the importance of taking action in faith. Believers are encouraged to actively seek God's blessings and provisions. Family Dynamics and SupportThe interaction between Achsah, Othniel, and Caleb highlights the importance of family support and communication in pursuing God's promises. Godly InheritanceThe request for a field underscores the significance of spiritual and material inheritance. Believers should value and seek to pass on godly legacies. Courage in RequestsAchsah's boldness in making her request is a reminder that believers can approach God with confidence, knowing He desires to bless His children. Role of Women in ScriptureAchsah's account illustrates the active role women can play in God's plans, challenging cultural norms and encouraging women to step into their God-given roles. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Achsah's approach to Caleb reflect her faith and understanding of her inheritance? How can we apply this in our spiritual lives today? 2. In what ways does the relationship between Achsah, Othniel, and Caleb demonstrate the importance of family unity in pursuing God's promises? 3. How does Achsah's boldness in asking for a field inspire us to approach God with our needs and desires? What other scriptures encourage us to ask God for blessings? 4. What can we learn from Caleb's response to Achsah's request about the nature of God as a loving Father who desires to give good gifts to His children? 5. How does Achsah's account challenge or affirm your understanding of the role of women in biblical accounts and in the church today? How can this understanding impact your view of women's roles in your community? Connections to Other Scriptures Joshua 15:18-19This passage parallels Judges 1:14, providing additional context to Achsah's request and Caleb's response. Proverbs 31:10-31The description of a virtuous woman who is resourceful and proactive, similar to Achsah's character. Genesis 24:64Rebekah's dismounting from her camel when meeting Isaac, symbolizing respect and readiness, akin to Achsah's action. Numbers 14:24Caleb's faithfulness and wholehearted following of God, which sets the stage for his role in Judges 1:14. Matthew 7:7-11The principle of asking and receiving, as Achsah does with her father Caleb. People Abednego, Achsah, Adonibezek, Ahiman, Amalekites, Amorites, Anak, Anath, Arad, Arba, Asher, Asherites, Benjamin, Benjamites, Caleb, Canaanites, Dan, Danites, Debir, Edomites, Hittites, Hobab, Israelites, Jebusites, Joseph, Joshua, Kenaz, Manasseh, Naphtali, Naphtalites, Othniel, Perizzites, Rehob, Sheshai, Simeon, Simeonites, Talmai, Zebulun, ZidonPlaces Acco, Achzib, Ahlab, Aijalon, Akrabbim, Aphik, Arad, Ashkelon, Beth-anath, Bethel, Beth-shan, Beth-shemesh, Bezek, Debir, Dor, Ekron, Gaza, Gezer, Gibeah, Hebron, Helbah, Hormah, Ibleam, Jerusalem, Kiriath-arba, Kiriath-sepher, Kitron, Luz, Megiddo, Mount Heres, Nahalol, Negeb, Rehob, Sela, Shaalbim, Sidon, Taanach, ZephathTopics Alighted, Ass, Caleb, Donkey, Field, Got, Idea, Lighted, Lighteth, Mind, Moved, Pass, Persuaded, Persuadeth, Requesting, Urged, Wilt, Wish, WouldestDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 1:1-20 7266 tribes of Israel Judges 1:11-15 4293 water Judges 1:12-15 5654 betrothal Judges 1:14-15 4260 rivers and streams
5679 dowry
5742 wedding Library The Historical Books.
1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the BibleThe Coast of the Asphaltites, the Essenes. En-Gedi.
"On the western shore" (of the Asphaltites) "dwell the Essenes; whom persons, guilty of any crimes, fly from on every side. A nation it is that lives alone, and of all other nations in the whole world, most to be admired; they are without any woman; all lust banished, &c. Below these, was the town Engadda, the next to Jerusalem for fruitfulness, and groves of palm-trees, now another burying-place. From thence stands Massada, a castle in a rock, and this castle not far from the Asphaltites." Solinus, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Beth-El. Beth-Aven.
Josephus thus describes the land of Benjamin; "The Benjamites' portion of land was from the river Jordan to the sea, in length: in breadth, it was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." Let these last words be marked, "The breadth of the land of Benjamin was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." May we not justly conclude, from these words, that Jerusalem and Beth-el were opposite, as it were, in a right line? But if you look upon the maps, there are some that separate these by a very large tract of land, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Tsippor
"Tsippor is the greatest city of Galilee, and built in a very strong place." "Kitron (Judg 1:29,30) is Tsippor: and why is it called Tsippor? Because it is seated upon a mountain as Tsippor, a bird." "Sixteen miles on all sides from Tsippor was a land flowing with milk and honey." This city is noted in Josephus for its warlike affairs; but most noted in the Talmudists for the university fixed there, and for the learning, which Rabbi Judah the Holy brought hither, as we have said before. He sat in …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica A Nation's Struggle for a Home and Freedom.
ISRAEL'S VICTORIES OVER THE CANAANITES.--Josh. 2-9; Judg. 1, 4, 5. Parallel Readings. Hist. Bible II,1-4.1. Prin. of Politics X. That the leaders took the lead in Israel, That the people volunteered readily, Bless Jehovah! Zebulun was a people who exposed themselves to deadly peril, And Naphtali on the heights of the open field. Kings came, they fought; They fought, the kings of Canaan, At Taanach by the Waters of Megiddo, They took no booty of silver. Prom heaven fought the stars, From their …
Charles Foster Kent—The Making of a Nation The Place of the Old Testament in Divine Revelation
[Sidenote: Advent of the Hebrews] Modern discovery and research have demonstrated that the truth revealed through the Babylonians and with less definiteness through the people of the Nile was never entirely lost. Such a sad waste was out of accord with the obvious principles of divine economy. As the icy chill of ceremonialism seized decadent Babylonia and Egypt, there emerged from the steppes south and east of Palestine a virile, ambitious group of nomads, who not only fell heir to that which …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament The Prophet Jonah.
It has been asserted without any sufficient reason, that Jonah is older than Hosea, Joel, Amos, and Obadiah,--that he is the oldest among the prophets whose written monuments have been preserved to us. The passage in 2 Kings xiv. 25, where it is said, that Jonah, the son of Amittai the prophet, prophesied to Jeroboam the happy success of his arms, and the restoration of the ancient boundaries of Israel, and that this prophecy was confirmed by the event, cannot decide in favour of this assertion, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Scythopolis. Beth-Shean, the Beginning of Galilee.
The bonds of Galilee were, "on the south, Samaris and Scythopolis, unto the flood of Jordan." Scythopolis is the same with Beth-shean, of which is no seldom mention in the Holy Scriptures, Joshua 17:11; Judges 1:27; 1 Samuel 31:10. "Bethsaine (saith Josephus), called by the Greeks Scythopolis." It was distant but a little way from Jordan, seated in the entrance to a great valley: for so the same author writes, "Having passed Jordan, they came to a great plain, where lies before you the city Bethsane," …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Country of Jericho, and the Situation of the City.
Here we will borrow Josephus' pencil, "Jericho is seated in a plain, yet a certain barren mountain hangs over it, narrow, indeed, but long; for it runs out northward to the country of Scythopolis,--and southward, to the country of Sodom, and the utmost coast of the Asphaltites." Of this mountain mention is made, Joshua 2:22, where the two spies, sent by Joshua, and received by Rahab, are said to "conceal themselves." "Opposite against this, lies a mountain on the other side Jordan, beginning from …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6 Jews and Gentiles in "The Land"
Coming down from Syria, it would have been difficult to fix the exact spot where, in the view of the Rabbis, "the land" itself began. The boundary lines, though mentioned in four different documents, are not marked in anything like geographical order, but as ritual questions connected with them came up for theological discussion. For, to the Rabbis the precise limits of Palestine were chiefly interesting so far as they affected the religious obligations or privileges of a district. And in this respect …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Judges
For the understanding of the early history and religion of Israel, the book of Judges, which covers the period from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the struggle with the Philistines, is of inestimable importance; and it is very fortunate that the elements contributed by the later editors are so easily separated from the ancient stories whose moral they seek to point. That moral is most elaborately stated in ii. 6-iii. 6, which is a sort of programme or preface to iii. 7-xvi. 31, which constitutes …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Judges 1:14 NIVJudges 1:14 NLTJudges 1:14 ESVJudges 1:14 NASBJudges 1:14 KJV
Judges 1:14 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
