Joshua 15:13 - Meaning and Application

The writer seems glad to keep mentioning Caleb and to honor him, because Caleb had honored God by following him fully. Joshua gives him the mountain of Hebron for his inheritance again here (Joshua 15:13), and the text says it was given to him.

This gift was made in line with the Lord’s command to Joshua. Caleb had a strong claim through God’s promise, but Joshua still would not act on his own, even for his old friend, because God had said the land was to be divided by lot. In doubtful matters, it is a great mercy to know God’s will and see our duty clearly.

It is also said that Hebron became part of Judah’s land. Even though Caleb received it before Judah’s lot was drawn, God ordered the lots so that it fell in the middle of that tribe. This was a kind arrangement, so Caleb would not be left apart from his own people and surrounded by other tribes.

After Caleb received the grant, the story shows how he proved his courage at Hebron. He drove out the three sons of Anak, he and those who helped him. This fulfilled the confidence he had shown earlier, when he trusted that the Lord would be with him (Joshua 14:12). The text does not say he killed the giants, only that he drove them out, which suggests they fled before him.

Their great size and strength could not support their courage. They had the look of lions, but the hearts of frightened hares. God often does this kind of work, bringing down the proud and taking courage away from leaders (Psalm 76:12; Job 12:24). In the same way, if we resist the devil, that roaring lion, he may not fall at once, but he will flee.

Caleb also stirred up the courage of others in the taking of Debir, which is described next. Joshua had once taken Debir before, but the Canaanites had taken it back after the army moved on, so it had to be captured again. After Caleb finished Hebron, which mainly helped his own family, he pushed forward to Debir for the good of the whole tribe. We should learn from this not to care only for ourselves, but to work for the good of the community we belong to.

The city’s old name was Kirjath-sepher, meaning the city of a book, and also Kirjath-sannah. Some take that to mean the city of learning, like a center of study among the Canaanites, much like Athens in Greece. It may have held their records, chronicles, or ancient writings. If so, Caleb may have wanted Israel to take it so they could learn what was kept there.

Caleb then offered his daughter, along with a good portion, to anyone who would take the city and lead the forces in that work. Saul later made a similar promise about the man who would kill Goliath (1 Samuel 17:25). Neither father meant to force a daughter to marry someone she could not love, but both trusted that their daughters would submit to their father’s will.

Caleb’s family was not only honorable and well-off, but religious. He himself followed the Lord fully, and he likely taught his children to do the same. For that reason, the match would have been a desirable one for a young man. Caleb wanted, first, to help his country by taking this important city. He also wanted to place his daughter with a man of learning and a man of war, someone who would value the city of books and serve his country well.

The city was bravely captured by Othniel, Caleb’s nephew, whom Caleb likely had in mind when he made the offer. Othniel later became both a deliverer and a judge in Israel, the first single leader after Joshua’s death. It is good for young people to begin early with what is great and good, so they may shine in service when they are young and in honor when they are old.

With everyone agreed, Othniel married Achsah, Caleb’s daughter. He probably already loved her, and that helped drive him to such a bold deed. Love for his country, hope of honor, and a desire to win favor with Israel’s leaders may have mattered too, but his affection for Achsah gave him special zeal. Love is strong as death, and jealousy is cruel as the grave.

Since the writer is now speaking about the dividing of the land, he also tells us about Achsah’s share. Her portion was land, and that was valuable because it came by God’s promise, even if the conquerors of Canaan had also gained much wealth from the plunder of cities. Some of her land came from Caleb’s free gift, which was fitting since she married within her own tribe and family, as Zelophehad’s daughters did. He gave her a south land, land indeed, but dry land, likely hot and easily parched.

She received more when she asked for it. She wanted her husband to ask for a field, likely a particular field or stretch of good ground that belonged to Caleb and joined the south land he had already given her at marriage.

She thought her husband had her father’s best interests in mind. No doubt Caleb, her father, was very pleased with this great victory. But her husband thought it would be more fitting for her to ask, and that she would be more likely to succeed. So she followed his judgment, even though it went against her own, and handled the matter with great skill.

First, she chose the right time, when her father brought her to her husband’s house. His joy in giving his daughter such a good marriage would make him feel kindly toward anything she asked. Second, she got down from her donkey as a sign of respect for her father. Even after marriage, she still meant to honor him. She wept or sighed as she came down, as the Septuagint and the Latin version read it. She showed sorrow and concern so that her father would ask her what she wanted.

Third, she called it a blessing, because it would greatly improve her new home. Since she had married not only with her father’s consent but also in obedience to his command, she was sure he would not refuse to bless her. Fourth, she asked only for water, without which her land would be of little use for farming or grazing. What she really meant was the field with the springs of water. Her request was modest and reasonable, and that gave it great force.

Land without water is like a tree without sap, or a body without blood. So when God gathered the waters into one place, he wisely and kindly left some in many places, so the earth could serve people well (Psalm 104:10). In the end, Achsah got what she asked for. Her father gave her the upper springs and the lower springs, likely two fields named for their water sources, much like we speak of the higher field and the lower field. If this refers to one field watered by both rain from heaven and springs from the earth, it still fits the way we speak of spiritual blessings.

From this story we learn, first, that it is not a violation of the tenth commandment to desire, in moderation, the comforts and goods of this life when they can be fairly and properly obtained. Second, husbands and wives should talk together and agree together about what is for the good of their family. Even more, they should join together in asking their heavenly Father for the best blessings, the blessings of the upper springs. Third, parents should never think they have lost something when they give to their children what is truly for their good. They should freely give them portions as well as support, especially when their children are dutiful. Caleb had sons (1 Chronicles 2:49), yet he gave so generously to his daughter. Parents forget their duty and their place when they grudge their children what is fitting for them, if they can reasonably provide it.