Joshua 15:17

17 Then Othniel, son of Caleb's brother Kenaz, captured it. So Caleb gave him his daughter Achsah as a wife.

Joshua 15:17 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 15:17

And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it,
&c.] The relation of Othniel to Caleb is a little intricate, and, as it is understood, occasions objections to the marriage of Caleb's daughter to him; it seems, at first sight, that he was Caleb's own brother, a younger brother, and so uncle to his daughter, and such marriages were forbidden, ( Leviticus 18:14 ) . Jarchi thinks he was the brother of Caleb by his mother's side; Kimchi, both by father and mother's side; but not to observe, that besides the word "brother" sometimes signifies only a kinsman, or near relation, and not precisely a brother; it is not Othniel that is called the brother of Caleb, but Kenaz, who was the father of Othniel; so that Caleb was Othniel's uncle, and Achsah and Othniel were brothers' children, or first cousins, between whom marriage was allowed of:

and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife;
according to the tenor of his proclamation, and the promise he made.

Joshua 15:17 In-Context

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

16 Caleb said, "I will give my daughter Achsah as a wife to anyone who attacks Kiriath Sepher and captures it."

17 Then Othniel, son of Caleb's brother Kenaz, captured it. So Caleb gave him his daughter Achsah as a wife.

18 When she came to Othniel, she persuaded him to ask her father for a field. When she got down from her donkey, Caleb asked her, "What do you want?"

19 She answered, "Give me a blessing. Since you've given me some dry land, also give me some springs." So Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs.