Joshua 15:13-20

13 In accordance with the LORD’s command to him, Joshua gave to Caleb son of Jephunneh a portion in Judah—Kiriath Arba, that is, Hebron. (Arba was the forefather of Anak.)

14 From Hebron Caleb drove out the three Anakites—Sheshai, Ahiman and Talmai, the sons of Anak.

15 From there he marched against the people living in Debir (formerly called Kiriath Sepher).

16 And Caleb said, “I will give my daughter Aksah in marriage to the man who attacks and captures Kiriath Sepher.”

17 Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s brother, took it; so Caleb gave his daughter Aksah to him in marriage.

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

19 She replied, “Do me a special favor. Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me also springs of water.” So Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs.

20 This is the inheritance of the tribe of Judah, according to its clans:

Joshua 15:13-20 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOSHUA 15

In this chapter are related the boundaries of the lot of the tribe of Judah, Jos 15:1-12; and the assignment of Hebron to Caleb, from whence he drove out the giants, and of Debir, which was taken by Othniel his brother, to whom, on that account, he gave his daughter in marriage, who made a further request to her father, which was granted, Jos 15:13-19; and then follows an account of the several cities by name, which fell to the tribe of Judah, Jos 15:20-63.

Cross References

• 1. 1 Samuel 25:3; 1 Samuel 30:14
• 2. S Genesis 23:2
• 3. S Joshua 10:36; Joshua 21:12; 1 Chronicles 6:56
• 4. S Numbers 13:22; Joshua 14:13-15
• 5. S Numbers 13:33
• 6. S Numbers 13:22
• 7. Judges 1:10,20
• 8. 1 Chronicles 2:49; Judges 1:12
• 9. Judges 3:9,11; 1 Chronicles 4:13; 1 Chronicles 27:15
• 10. S Joshua 10:40
• 11. Genesis 36:24

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebrew and some Septuagint manuscripts; other Septuagint manuscripts (see also note at Judges 1:14) "Othniel, he urged her"