Joshua 15:19 "Give me a blessing," she answered. "Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me springs of water as well." So Caleb gave her both the upper and lower springs.

◄ Joshua 15:19 ►

New International Version
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.

New Living Translation
She said, “Give me another gift. You have already given me land in the Negev; now please give me springs of water, too.” So Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs.

English Standard Version
She said to him, “Give me a blessing. Since you have given me the land of the Negeb, give me also springs of water.” And he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.

Berean Standard Bible
“Give me a blessing,” she answered. “Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me springs of water as well.” So Caleb gave her both the upper and lower springs.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
She answered, “Give me a blessing; since you have given me land in the South, give me also springs of water.” So he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.

New American Standard Bible
Then she said, “Give me a blessing; since you have given me the land of the Negev, give me springs of water also.” So he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.

NASB 1995
Then she said, “Give me a blessing; since you have given me the land of the Negev, give me also springs of water.” So he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.

NASB 1977
Then she said, “Give me a blessing; since you have given me the land of the Negev, give me also springs of water.” So he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then she said, “Give me a blessing; since you have given me the land of the Negev, give me also springs of water.” So he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.

Amplified Bible
Achsah answered, “Give me a blessing; since you have given me the [dry] land of the Negev (South country), give me springs of water, too.” So he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.

Christian Standard Bible
She replied, “Give me a blessing. Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me the springs also.” So he gave her the upper and lower springs.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
She replied, “Give me a blessing. Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me the springs of water also.” So he gave her the upper and lower springs.

American Standard Version
And she said, Give me a blessing; for that thou hast set me in the land of the South, give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs and the nether springs.

Contemporary English Version
She answered, "I need your help. The land you gave me is in the Southern Desert, so I really need some spring-fed ponds for a water supply." Caleb gave her a couple of small ponds, named Higher Pond and Lower Pond.

English Revised Version
And she said, Give me a blessing; for that thou hast set me in the land of the South, give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs and the nether springs.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
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.

Good News Translation
She answered, "I want some water holes. The land you have given me is in the dry country." So Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs.

International Standard Version
She replied, "Give me a blessing. Since you have given me the land of the Negev, give me also some springs of water." So he gave her the upper and lower springs.

Majority Standard Bible
“Give me a blessing,” she answered. “Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me springs of water as well.” So Caleb gave her both the upper and lower springs.

NET Bible
She answered, "Please give me a special present. Since you have given me land in the Negev, now give me springs of water. So he gave her both upper and lower springs.

New Heart English Bible
She said, "Give me a blessing. Because you have set me in the land of the Negev, give me also springs of water." He gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
She said, “Give me a blessing. Because you have set me in the land of the South, give me also springs of water.” So he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And she says, “Give a blessing to me; when you have given me the land of the south, then you have given springs of waters to me”; and he gives the upper springs and the lower springs to her.

Young's Literal Translation
And she saith, 'Give to me a blessing; when the land of the south thou hast given me, then thou hast given to me springs of waters;' and he giveth to her the upper springs and the lower springs.

Smith's Literal Translation
And she will say, Thou wilt give to me a blessing; for a south land thou gavest me, and give to me springs of water: and he will give to her the springs above and the springs beneath.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
But she answered: Give me a blessing: thou hast given me a southern and dry land, give me also a land that is watered. And Caleb gave her the upper and the nether watery ground.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But she answered: “Give a blessing to me. You have given to me a southern and dry land; join to it also a watered land.” And so Caleb gave to her the watered land above and below it.

New American Bible
She answered, “Give me a present! Since you have assigned to me land in the Negeb, give me also pools of water.” So he gave her the upper and the lower pools.

New Revised Standard Version
She said to him, “Give me a present; since you have set me in the land of the Negeb, give me springs of water as well.” So Caleb gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
She said to him, Give me a blessing; because you have given me a heritage in the south land; give me also this pool of water. And Caleb gave her the upper pool and the lower pool.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
She said to him:”Give me a blessing, for you have given me that in the land of the south. Give me this pond of waters.” And Kalab gave her the upper pond and the lower pond

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And she said: 'Give me a blessing; for that thou hast set me in the Southland, give me therefore springs of water.' And he gave her the Upper Springs and the Nether Springs.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And she said to him, Give me a blessing, for thou hast set me in the land of Nageb; give me Botthanis: and he gave her Gonaethla the upper, and Gonaethla the lower.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Caleb's Portion and Conquest
…18One 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?” 19“Give me a blessing,” she answered. “Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me springs of water as well.” So Caleb gave her both the upper and lower springs.

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Judges 1:14-15
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?” / “Give me a blessing,” she answered. “Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me springs of water as well.” So Caleb gave her both the upper and lower springs.

Genesis 13:10
And Lot looked out and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan, all the way to Zoar, was well watered like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)

Deuteronomy 8:7
For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks and fountains and springs that flow through the valleys and hills;

Numbers 21:16-18
From there they went on to Beer, the well where the LORD said to Moses, “Gather the people so that I may give them water.” / Then Israel sang this song: “Spring up, O well, all of you sing to it! / The princes dug the well; the nobles of the people hollowed it out with their scepters and with their staffs.” From the wilderness the Israelites went on to Mattanah,

2 Kings 3:16-17
and he said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Dig this valley full of ditches.’ / For the LORD says, ‘You will not see wind or rain, but the valley will be filled with water, and you will drink—you and your cattle and your animals.’

Isaiah 41:17-18
The poor and needy seek water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. I, the LORD, will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. / I will open rivers on the barren heights, and fountains in the middle of the valleys. I will turn the desert into a pool of water, and the dry land into flowing springs.

John 4:10-14
Jesus answered, “If you knew the gift of God and who is asking you for a drink, you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” / “Sir,” the woman replied, “You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where then will You get this living water? / Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock?” ...

John 7:37-38
On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. / Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’”

Revelation 22:1-2
Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb / down the middle of the main street of the city. On either side of the river stood a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

Psalm 36:8-9
They feast on the abundance of Your house, and You give them drink from Your river of delights. / For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light.

Psalm 46:4
There is a river whose streams delight the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.

Isaiah 12:3
With joy you will draw water from the springs of salvation,

Isaiah 44:3
For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and currents on the dry ground. I will pour out My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring.

Jeremiah 2:13
“For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns—broken cisterns that cannot hold water.

Jeremiah 17:13
O LORD, the hope of Israel, all who abandon You will be put to shame. All who turn away will be written in the dust, for they have abandoned the LORD, the fountain of living water.

Treasury of Scripture

Who answered, Give me a blessing; for you have given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs, and the nether springs.

Give me

Judges 1:14,15
And it came to pass, when she came to him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted from off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wilt thou? …

a blessing

Genesis 33:11
Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took it.

Deuteronomy 33:7
And this is the blessing of Judah: and he said, Hear, LORD, the voice of Judah, and bring him unto his people: let his hands be sufficient for him; and be thou an help to him from his enemies.

1 Samuel 25:27
And now this blessing which thine handmaid hath brought unto my lord, let it even be given unto the young men that follow my lord.

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Blessing Caleb Dry Higher Lower Negeb Negev Nether Present South Southland South-Land Special Springs Upper Water Waters

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Joshua 15

1. The borders of the lot of Judah
13. Caleb's portion and conquest
16. Othniel, for his valour, marries Achsah, Caleb's daughter
18. She obtains a blessing of her father
21. The cities of Judah
63. The Jebusites unconquered

Berean Study Bible

Give me a blessing
This phrase reflects a request for favor or a gift, often seen in biblical narratives where individuals seek divine or paternal favor. The Hebrew word for "blessing" is "berakah," which implies not just a material gift but a bestowal of divine favor and prosperity. In the context of the ancient Near East, blessings were considered powerful and transformative, often determining one's future success and well-being. This request highlights the importance of blessings in the covenantal relationship between God and His people, as well as within familial structures.

Since you have given me land in the Negev
The Negev is a desert region in southern Israel, characterized by its arid climate and sparse vegetation. The Hebrew word "Negev" means "dry" or "south," indicating both its geographical location and its environmental conditions. Receiving land in the Negev would have been a mixed blessing, as it required significant effort to make the land productive. This context underscores the need for additional resources, such as water, to thrive in such a challenging environment. Historically, the Negev was a frontier region, often requiring resilience and ingenuity from its inhabitants.

give me also springs of water
Water is a symbol of life and sustenance throughout the Bible, and in the arid climate of the Negev, springs would be invaluable. The Hebrew word for "springs" is "gulloth," which refers to sources of flowing water, essential for agriculture and survival. This request for water highlights the practical needs of the people and the importance of natural resources in the Promised Land. In a spiritual sense, water often symbolizes the Holy Spirit and the life-giving presence of God, suggesting that the request is not only for physical sustenance but also for spiritual nourishment.

So Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs
Caleb's response demonstrates generosity and wisdom, providing not just one, but multiple sources of water. The "upper and lower springs" suggest a comprehensive provision, ensuring that the land would be fertile and productive. Caleb, a figure known for his faithfulness and courage, exemplifies the godly character of a leader who provides abundantly for his family. This act of giving reflects the biblical principle of stewardship and the responsibility to care for one's family and community. It also serves as a reminder of God's abundant provision for His people, meeting their needs beyond their immediate requests.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 19. - A southland. Hebrew, the southland. The word Negeb signifies dry (see note on Negeb, Joshua 10:40). It must be remembered that it became the word for south, because the south of Palestine was an arid tract. Therefore Achsah must be understood as saying, "Thou hast given me a dry country, give me also a reservoir of water." The Vulgate translates Negeb twice over, "australem et arentem" (arentem only Judges 1:15). The LXX. translates both Negeb and Gulloth as proper names. But in the parallel passage in Judges Negeb is translated "south," and Gulloth appears as λύτρωσιν, as if from גלה to remove. Nothing can more clearly show that the LXX. translation is the work of Springs of water. גֻּלּת different hands. akin to our well and the German quelle, and derived from גלל to roll, from the circular motion observable in springs, as also from the rolling of waves. The Chaldee renders the house of irrigation (בֵיתּ שַׁקְיָא). Knobel translates reservoirs. The upper springs and the lower springs (see note on Debit, Joshua 10:38).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

“Give
תְּנָה־ (tə·nāh-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

me
לִּ֣י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

a blessing,”
בְרָכָ֗ה (ḇə·rā·ḵāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1293: Benediction, prosperity

she replied.
וַתֹּ֜אמֶר (wat·tō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Since
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

you have given
נְתַתָּ֔נִי (nə·ṯat·tā·nî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

me land
אֶ֤רֶץ (’e·reṣ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

in the Negev,
הַנֶּ֙גֶב֙ (han·ne·ḡeḇ)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5045: South country, the Negeb, south

give
וְנָתַתָּ֥ה (wə·nā·ṯat·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

me also
לִ֖י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

springs
גֻּלֹּ֣ת (gul·lōṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 1543: A fountain, bowl, globe

of water.”
מָ֑יִם (mā·yim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

So [Caleb] gave
וַיִּתֶּן־ (way·yit·ten-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

her
לָ֗הּ (lāh)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew

the upper
עִלִּיּ֔וֹת (‘il·lî·yō·wṯ)
Adjective - feminine plural
Strong's 5942: High, comparative

and lower
תַּחְתִּיּֽוֹת׃ (taḥ·tî·yō·wṯ)
Adjective - feminine plural
Strong's 8482: Lowermost, the depths

springs.
גֻּלֹּ֣ת (gul·lōṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 1543: A fountain, bowl, globe

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OT History: Joshua 15:19 She said Give me a blessing (Josh. Jos)