And Caleb said, "To the man who strikes down Kiriath-sepher and captures it, I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage." And Caleb said,Caleb, a prominent figure in the Israelite community, was one of the two faithful spies (along with Joshua) who trusted in God's promise to give the Israelites the land of Canaan (Numbers 13-14). His faithfulness is rewarded with a leadership role in the tribe of Judah. Caleb's actions here reflect his continued commitment to securing the land for his people. “To the man who strikes down Kiriath-sepher and captures it,
Kiriath-sepher, also known as Debir, was a Canaanite city located in the hill country of Judah. The task of capturing it was significant, as it represented the ongoing conquest of the Promised Land. This challenge reflects the military and strategic efforts required to establish Israelite control over Canaan. The offer of a reward for capturing the city indicates the importance of this conquest and the need for courageous leaders. I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage.”
Offering a daughter in marriage as a reward was a common practice in ancient times, often used to forge alliances and reward bravery. Acsah's marriage would not only be a personal union but also a political alliance, strengthening ties within the tribe of Judah. This practice is seen elsewhere in Scripture, such as when Saul offers his daughter to David (1 Samuel 18:17-27). The mention of Acsah highlights the role of women in biblical narratives, often as pivotal figures in the unfolding of God's plan. Persons / Places / Events 1. CalebA prominent figure from the tribe of Judah, known for his faithfulness and courage. He was one of the two spies who brought back a positive report about the Promised Land (Numbers 13-14). 2. AcsahCaleb's daughter, offered as a reward for capturing Kiriath-sepher. Her account continues in the following verses, highlighting her wisdom and assertiveness. 3. Kiriath-sepherA city in the territory of Judah, also known as Debir. Its capture was significant for the Israelites as they settled in the Promised Land. 4. Marriage ProposalCaleb's offer of his daughter in marriage to the conqueror of Kiriath-sepher reflects the customs and values of the time, where marriages often served strategic and familial purposes. 5. OthnielThough not mentioned in this specific verse, Othniel, Caleb's younger brother, eventually captures Kiriath-sepher and marries Acsah, becoming Israel's first judge ( Judges 3:9-11). Teaching Points Faithfulness and RewardCaleb's life exemplifies the principle that God rewards faithfulness. His offer to give his daughter in marriage to the conqueror of Kiriath-sepher reflects his trust in God's promises and his desire to see God's people succeed. Courage in ActionThe challenge to capture Kiriath-sepher required courage and initiative. Believers are encouraged to step out in faith and take action in alignment with God's will, trusting that He will provide the necessary strength and resources. Godly LeadershipCaleb's leadership and the subsequent rise of Othniel as a judge demonstrate the importance of godly leadership in guiding and delivering God's people. Believers are called to seek and support leaders who are committed to God's purposes. Family and LegacyThe account of Caleb, Acsah, and Othniel highlights the significance of family and legacy in God's plan. Believers are encouraged to consider how their actions and decisions impact future generations. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Caleb's offer in Judges 1:12 reflect his character and faith in God's promises? Consider his past experiences and actions. 2. In what ways does the account of Caleb and Othniel encourage us to take bold steps of faith in our own lives? 3. How can we identify and support godly leaders in our communities, similar to how Caleb and Othniel led the Israelites? 4. What lessons can we learn from Acsah's role in this account, and how can we apply them to our understanding of family and legacy? 5. How does the capture of Kiriath-sepher and the subsequent events connect to the broader account of God's deliverance and faithfulness throughout the Bible? Connections to Other Scriptures Numbers 13-14Caleb's faithfulness and trust in God's promises are highlighted when he, along with Joshua, encourages the Israelites to take possession of the Promised Land despite the challenges. Joshua 15:16-19This passage parallels Judges 1:12, providing additional context and details about Caleb's offer and Acsah's subsequent request for land with springs of water. Judges 3:9-11Othniel's role as Israel's first judge is established, showing the continuation of God's deliverance through faithful leaders. 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 Achsah, Acsah, Attacks, Caleb, Captured, Captures, Daughter, Kiriath, Kiriath-sepher, Kir'iath-se'pher, Kirjathsepher, Kirjath-sepher, Marriage, Overcomes, Sepher, Smiteth, Strikes, Takes, Taketh, WifeDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 1:1-20 7266 tribes of Israel Judges 1:11-15 4293 water Judges 1:12-13 5736 singleness Judges 1:12-15 5654 betrothal
5674 daughters
5710 marriage, customs 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 1:12 NIVJudges 1:12 NLTJudges 1:12 ESVJudges 1:12 NASBJudges 1:12 KJV
Judges 1:12 Commentaries
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