Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joshua 15:16

And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjath-sepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.

16. to him will I give Achsah my daughter ] So Saul promised to the victor over Goliath to “give him his daughter” (1Sa 17:25), and undertook if David was valiant for him to give him to wife his elder daughter Merab (1Sa 18:17).

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Verse 16. Will I give Achsah my daughter] In ancient times fathers assumed an absolute right over their children, especially in disposing of them in marriage; and it was customary for a king or great man to promise his daughter in marriage to him who should take a city, kill an enemy, c. So Saul promised his daughter in marriage to him who should kill Goliath, 1Sa 17:25 and Caleb offers his on this occasion to him who should take Kirjath-sepher. Profane writers furnish many similar examples.

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

Which is to be understood with some conditions, as, if he were one who could marry her by Gods law; for every promise contrary to that is void; and if she were willing; for though parents had a great power over their children, they could not force them to marry any person against their own wills. He might otherwise be an unfit and unworthy person: but this was no ordinary motion propounded to the imitation of others, but a Divine impulse, that Othniels valour might be more manifest, and so the way prepared for his future government of the people, Jdg 3:9.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

16-20. He that smitethKirjath-sepherThis offer was made as an incentive to youthfulbravery (see on 1Sa 17:25); and theprize was won by Othniel, Caleb’s younger brother (Jdg 1:13;Jdg 3:9). This was the occasion ofdrawing out the latent energies of him who was destined to be thefirst judge in Israel.

Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

And Caleb said, he that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it,…. Which he ordered to be proclaimed through the army that was under his command; and which was done not so much on the account of the difficulty of taking the place, through the number of the inhabitants of it, and its fortifications, which it seems had fallen again into the hands of the Canaanites, since it was taken by Joshua; nor through inactivity, diffidence, and timorousness in himself; but that others, who were officers, and men of valour under him, might gather some laurels as well as himself; and chiefly being under a divine impulse, he ordered this declaration to be made, whereby his brother Othniel, who was to be a judge in Israel, might appear a great man, and fit for such an office; and as an encouragement, he promises as follows:

to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife; and to be married into the family of the chief prince of the tribe of Judah was a very great honour, as well as no doubt a very large dowry might be expected, and was given with her, and very probably the city of Debir was promised that should be taken. This Achsah seems to be a daughter of Caleb by a concubine, 1Ch 2:48.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

16. Caleb said The veteran leader finding Debir, perhaps after his previous conquests, a more difficult fortress, arouses his warriors with the promise of a prize.

Smiteth Kirjath-sepher The old name of the city, as quoting the warrior’s own words.

My daughter to wife Said in the spirit of the Oriental as well as the Roman rule, by which the parent was absolute lord of his children, and of the Oriental custom of marrying parties without regard to previous affection or even acquaintance. Saul thus promised his daughter to the slayer of Goliath. 1Sa 17:25.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

‘ And Caleb said, “He who smites Kiriath-sepher, and takes it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife”.’

This was a kind of test of suitability. Chief’s daughters were given to mighty champions to ensure continual strong leadership. Compare Saul’s offer in 1Sa 17:25. It is understandable why Saul did not fulfil his promise. When he made it he was expecting a champion not an inexperienced young man. He was not to know what David would become.

Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett

Ver. 16, 17. And Caleb said, &c. To encourage his troops to take Debir, Caleb, at the head of the army, declared publicly, that he would give his daughter in marriage to whoever undertook and succeeded in storming that city. Among the Hebrews, fathers had an absolute power over the marriage of their children. Saul exercised this right, as well as Caleb, 1Sa 17:25.; and prophane history supplies us with many similar instances. Othniel, Caleb’s nephew, the son of his brother Kenaz, offered himself. The Spirit of God, without doubt, incited him, as it afterwards did to deliver his fellow-citizens, Jdg 3:9-10. Thus Providence every way rewarded Caleb’s virtue, by giving him the country which God had promised him, and by procuring to him the possession of it, by means of the valour of one of the greatest men of the tribe of Judah, who became his son-in-law.

Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke

Every Reader must be struck with the singularity of Caleb’s gift to his daughter. And few enlightened Readers, but have been led to conceive that the Holy Ghost hath veiled spiritual blessings under the figure. Perhaps the nether springs imply the sanctified use of earthly comforts. See Hos 2:18 . And do not the upper springs convey to us Jehovah’s covenant love in the fulness of the Father’s mercy: Jesus in his person, offices, relations and characters, and the Holy Ghost in all his precious gifts and influences?

Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

Jos 15:16 And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.

Ver. 16. To him will I give Achsah my daughter. ] Yet with her consent, who as she was not to be forced, Gen 24:51 ; Gen 24:57 so she might not refuse without reason, and say –

“ Non amo te Sabidi, nec possum dicere quare. ” – Martial.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)