Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joshua 15:18
And it came to pass, as she came [unto him], that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted off [her] ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wouldest thou?
18. as she came unto him ] i. e. as she proceeded to the home of Othniel at Debir to become his wife. “When the parties live in different villages, the bridegroom accompanied by his friends, all well mounted and armed, and escorted with music, repair to the house of the bride, and escort her to her new home.” See the picture of such a procession in Van Lenneps’ Bible Lands and Customs, p. 550.
she moved him ] The original word denotes (1) to impel, (2) to incite, induce. Comp. 2Ch 18:2, “And Ahab persuaded him to go up with him to Ramoth-Gilead.” “The which, whanne she went to togidre, hir man meeued to hir for to axe of hir fader a feeld.” Wyclif.
a field ] more definitely, the field, either ( a) which belonged to Debir, as some suppose, or ( b) the field which was fit for cultivation, and had a sufficient supply of water.
she lighted off her ass ] The original word only occurs in three places; ( a) here; ( b) the parallel passage in Jdg 1:14; and ( c) in Jdg 4:21, “Then Jael Heber’s wife took a nail of the tent and went softly unto him.” It denotes (1) to force oneself away from: (2) to descend quickly from, to sink down from, as in Gen 24:64, “And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel.” The LXX. have rendered it, apparently from a different reading, “she cried from the ass;” the Vulgate, “ suspiravitque ut sedebat in asino;” and so Wyclif, “And she siide, as she sat in the asse.”
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
18. and Caleb said unto her ] It would seem as though Othniel could not be prevailed upon to make such a request himself, and that Achsah therefore determined to prefer it herself. Her action in springing from the ass so astonished Caleb, that he put to her the question, “What wouldest thou?”
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Afield – In Jdg 1:14, the field, i. e. the well-known field asked by Achsah and given by Caleb as a blessing, i. e. as a token of goodwill, which when the Book of Judges was written had become historical. The field in question was doubtless in the neighborhood of Debir, and was especially valuable because of its copious springs. Achsahs dismounting was a sign of reverence.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 18. As she came] As she was now departing from the house of her father to go to that of her husband.
She moved him] Othniel, to ask of her father a field, one on which she had set her heart, as contiguous to the patrimony already granted.
She lighted off her ass] vattitsnach, she hastily, suddenly alighted, as if she had forgotten something, or was about to return to her father’s house. Which being perceived by her father, he said, What wouldest thou? What is the matter? What dost thou want?
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
As she came unto him, or, as she went, to wit, from her fathers house to her husbands, as the manner was: see Poole “Mat 1:18“.
She moved him to ask; she persuaded her husband; either,
1. That he would ask; or rather,
2. That he would suffer her to ask, as she did.
She lighted off her ass, that she might address herself to her father in a humble posture, and as a suppliant, which he understood by her gesture.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
18, 19. as she came unto himthatis, when about to remove from her father’s to her husband’s house.She suddenly alighted from her travelling equipagea mark ofrespect to her father, and a sign of making some request. She hadurged Othniel to broach the matter, but he not wishing to do whatappeared like evincing a grasping disposition, she resolved herselfto speak out. Taking advantage of the parting scene when a parent’sheart was likely to be tender, she begged (as her marriage portionconsisted of a field which, having a southern exposure, wascomparatively an arid and barren waste) he would add the adjoiningone, which abounded in excellent springs. The request beingreasonable, it was granted; and the story conveys this importantlesson in religion, that if earthly parents are ready to bestow ontheir children that which is good, much more will our heavenly Fathergive every necessary blessing to them who ask Him.
Jos15:21-63. CITIES OFJUDAH.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And it came to pass, as she came [unto him],…. To her husband, being conducted from her father’s house to his, in order to consummate the marriage, just as we may suppose when she was got to her husband’s house, before she lighted off the beast on which she rode:
that she moved him to ask of her father a field; or persuaded him to make such a request to him, or that he would give her leave to make it; that is, Achsah put Othniel her espoused husband upon it, to entreat her father Caleb, or suffer her to use her interest with him to obtain a field of him, over and above, and something better, than what he had already given;
and she lighted off [her] ass; she leaped or threw herself from it; or bowing herself, she fell off on her feet, as Jarchi interprets it, and in an humble manner made her obeisance to her father; though De Dieu, from the use of the word in the Ethiopic language, gives a different sense, as if she continued on her ass, and did not alight, waiting the success of her husband’s request; or that her father, taking notice of this, might ask the reason of it, which would give her an opportunity of asking the favour of him, which she judged was a proper time of doing it; and there are some versions which seem to countenance this sense the Septuagint version is,
“she cried from off the ass;”
and the Vulgate Latin version,
“she sighed as she sat upon the ass:”
and Caleb said unto her, what wouldest thou? what wouldest thou have? what is thy request for he perceived, by the posture she put herself in, that she had something to say to him.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
18. And it came to pass as she came unto him, etc Although we may conjecture that the damsel Acsa was of excellent morals and well brought up, as marriage with her had been held forth as the special reward (149) of victory, yet perverse cupidity on her part is here disclosed. She knew that by the divine law women were specially excluded from hereditary lands, but she nevertheless covets the possession of them, and stimulates her husband by unjust expostulation. In this way ambitious and covetous wives cease not to molest their husbands until they force them to forget shame, modesty, and equity. For although the avarice of men also is insatiable, yet women are apt to be much more precipitate. The more carefully ought husbands to be on their guard against being set as it were on flame by the blast of such importunate counsels. (150)
But a greater degree of intemperance is displayed when she acquires additional boldness from the facility of her husband and the indulgence of her father. Not contented with the field given to her, she demands for herself a well-watered district. And thus it is when a person has once overleaped the bounds of rectitude and honesty, the fault is forthwith followed up by impudence. Moreover, her father in refusing her nothing gives proof of his singular affection for her. But it does not therefore follow that the wicked thirst of gain which blinds the mind and perverts right judgment is the less hateful. In regard to Acsa’s dismounting from the ass, some interpreters ascribe it to dissimulation and craft, as if she were pretending inability to retain her seat from grief. In this way her dismounting or falling off is made an indication of criminality and defective character. It is more simple, however, to suppose that she placed herself at her father’s feet with the view of accosting him as a suppliant. Be this as it may, by her craft and flattery she gained his consent, and in so far diminished the portion of her brothers. (151)
(149) French, “ Pour un salaire exquis et precieux;” “As an exquisite and precious recompense.” — Ed.
(150) Latin, “ Foeminae tamen magis praecipites feruntur.” French, “ Les femmes sont beaucoup plus bouillantes, et se laissent transporter plus aisement. Et d’autant plus sogneusement les maris se doyvent donner garde, de peur que par leurs conseils importuns, qui sont comme des soufflets, ils ne soyent embrasez;” “Women are much more fervid, and allow themselves to be more easily carried away. And so much the more carefully should husbands be on their guard, lest by their importunate counsels, which are like bellows, they be blown into flame.” — Ed.
(151) French, “ Quoy qu’il en soit, cette femme attira a soy par astuce et flatteries le droit d’autruy, et par ce moyen, la part et portion de ses freres en fut d’autant amoindrie;” “Be this as it may, this woman attracted to herself by craft and flattery the right of another, and by this means the part and portion of her brothers was so far lessened.” The censure here passed upon Achsah is rather more severe than the circumstances seem to warrant. It ought to be remembered, that in cases of succession the preference given to males is only conventional, and that by natural law her brothers’ title was not a whit better than her own. — Ed.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
18. And it came to pass We have now full proof that Caleb acted from affection to his daughter and with her confiding love.
As she came In bridal procession, all riding upon asses, from her father’s house to the house of her bridegroom, by whom she is escorted to his and her future home. See note on Mat 25:1-6.
She moved him Her bridegroom, by the side of whom, probably, she rode in procession. She believes the request of Othniel would be with Caleb even more powerful than her own; but he, perhaps silently, declines.
To ask a field “Underneath the hill on which Debir stood is a deep valley, rich with verdure from a copious rivulet, which, rising at the crest of the glen, falls, with a continuity unusual in the Judean hills, down to its lowest depth. On the possession of these upper and lower ‘bubblings,’ so contiguous to her lover’s prize, Achsah had set her heart.” Stanley.
Lighted off At her bridegroom’s door, where she and her father meet each other.
What wouldest thou The heart of her father at this melting moment is open to any request, and she seizes the golden chance.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘ And it happened that when she came to him, she moved him to ask of her father a field, and she lighted from her ass, and Caleb said to her, “What is it you want?” And she said to him, “Give me a blessing, for you have set me in the land of the Negeb. Give me also springs of water.” And Caleb gave her the upper springs and the nether springs.’
The dowry Othniel requested, at her suggestion, was land, and when his wife discovered where this was, in the Negeb, she lighted from her ass (a gesture of maidenly courtesy and submission – compare Gen 24:64) and approached her father to ensure good water supplies, which were necessary in that region, by asking for permanent springs, which he gave her as a wedding gift. The word translated alighted may mean ‘clap one’s hands’, a signal to a servant to be helped down.
This account is paralleled in Jdg 1:11-15. The latter may have been copied from here, but more probably both were taken from an early record made of the wars in Canaan similar to ‘the book of the wars of YHWH’ (Num 21:14). For such were looked on as religious events and as covenant documents confirming the covenant, not just as history.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Ver. 18. Andas she came unto himshe moved him to ask of her father a field, &c. As she was conducted from the house of her father to that of her husband, according to the custom of that time, persuaded that Caleb could refuse nothing to the generous warrior who had subdued for him Kirjath-sepher, she begged of Othniel to ask boldly of him a field which lay conveniently for them; and the latter seeming fearful to do so, she hardly alighted, and placed herself in a suppliant posture, to open her mind to her father herself. Caleb perceiving her uneasiness, prevented it, by asking her what she required; and on Achsah’s answering, that she begged him to consider, that, having given to her husband and herself only dry grounds, from which they could raise nothing, it would be proper to add thereto a spot which she pointed out, and which was rendered fertile by the waters of an adjacent spring. Caleb granted her beyond her wishes, and gave her one territory in the mountains, and another in the plain, both of them well watered. Such, according to our version, is the sense of these two verses; which interpreters have explained differently, as to particulars, but have all understood nearly in the same manner. See Poole’s Synopsis. We should add, however, that it is uncertain whether this happened before or after the death of Joshua.
REFLECTIONS.Caleb’s portion, though allowed him according to his claim, falls providentially in the midst of the lot of his brethren of the tribe of Judah. And as he must possess it by the sword, we have it for his honour reported, that he conquered it from the sons of Anak. They seem to have fled at his approach, because they felt that resistance was vain: the inhabitants of Debir only stood on the defensive. Though this city had been taken, chap. Jos 10:39 yet being deserted, the Canaanites, it seems, returned and repaired the fortifications. To animate his troops, therefore, for the attack, he promises his daughter Achsah in marriage to the person who should take the city. Othniel, his brother’s son, seizes the glad occasion; to gain the object of his love, he flies to the attack, and signalizes his valour in the capture of the city: an early presage of his future advancement as judge in Israel. Note; They, who in age would be respected, must spend their youth in deeds of virtue. Caleb immediately fulfils his promise, and Othniel is made happy in his beloved Achsah. Note; Among the first of human blessings is the union of their hands in marriage, whose hearts were before united in faithful love. With his wife, Othniel received an inheritance in land: Achsah observing the situation, as a south land, which being exposed to the sun would be parched, moved her husband to ask for another field, in which were springs of water; but Othniel suggesting, probably, that she was more likely to obtain it, in token of respect to her father, she alighted, and asked the blessing or favour of him, to bestow upon her the springs of water in the upper field: but in this he exceeded her expectations, for he gave her both the upper and nether springs. Note; (1.) When parents marry their children, they are in duty bound liberally to supply them with what they need, and themselves can well spare. (2.)
Husband and wife have but one interest, and should have one purse as well as one heart. (3.) We may, without danger of sin, desire the comforts and conveniencies of life, and use lawful means to procure them. (4.) If an earthly father is so kind, shall we not experience greater favours from our Father in heaven when we pray unto him? (5.) They who have nether springs of earthly blessings, and the upper springs of Divine grace, bestowed upon them, have, indeed, abundant reason to be satisfied with, and thankful for their lot.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Jos 15:18 And it came to pass, as she came [unto him], that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted off [her] ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wouldest thou?
Ver. 18. She moved him to ask. ] Or, She moved her husband that she might ask another field. Covetousness is never contented, but still craving more, as the horse leeches’ daughters. Othniel hardly yielded to this motion, but she would have it so, and therefore lighted off her ass, either as discontented, or as desirous to present her request.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
she lighted off. Compare Gen 24:64. 1Sa 25:23.
What wouldest thou? Literally “What to thee? ” = “What aileth thee? “
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
she lighted: Gen 24:64, 1Sa 25:23
Reciprocal: Jdg 1:14 – And it came Job 42:15 – gave Pro 31:16 – considereth
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jos 15:18. As she came Or, as she went; namely, from her fathers house to her husbands, as the manner was. She moved him She persuaded her husband, either, 1st, That he would ask: or rather, 2d, That he would suffer her to ask, as she did. She lighted That she might address herself to her father in an humble posture, and as a supplicant, which he understood by her gesture.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
15:18 And it came to pass, as she came [unto him], that she moved him to ask of her father a field: {f} and she lighted off [her] ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wouldest thou?
(f) Because her husband tarried too long.