"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. “Give me a blessing,” she answered.In this passage, the speaker is Achsah, the daughter of Caleb. Her request for a blessing reflects the cultural and familial practices of the time, where daughters could petition their fathers for inheritance or additional gifts. The concept of a "blessing" in biblical terms often implies a tangible benefit or favor, which in this context is linked to land and resources. This request can be seen as a parallel to the blessings sought from God, where believers ask for His favor and provision. “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. Receiving land in the Negev would have been a significant inheritance, yet it also posed challenges due to the lack of water. This phrase highlights the importance of land ownership in ancient Israelite society, where land was not only a source of sustenance but also a sign of God's promise and faithfulness to His people. The allocation of land was a fulfillment of God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. “give me springs of water as well.”
Water is a critical resource, especially in the arid regions like the Negev. Achsah's request for springs of water underscores the necessity of water for survival and prosperity in the ancient Near East. Springs would provide a reliable source of water for agriculture and livestock, making the land more valuable and productive. This request can be seen as a practical and wise move, ensuring the sustainability of her inheritance. Water in the Bible often symbolizes life, cleansing, and the Holy Spirit, drawing a spiritual parallel to the living water offered by Christ (John 4:10-14). So Caleb gave her both the upper and lower springs.
Caleb's response to Achsah's request demonstrates his generosity and understanding of the practical needs associated with the land he had given her. By granting both the upper and lower springs, Caleb ensures that Achsah has ample resources to thrive. This act of giving can be seen as a reflection of God's abundant provision for His people. Caleb, a faithful servant of God, exemplifies the character of a righteous leader who provides for his family. The dual springs may also symbolize the completeness and sufficiency of God's blessings, reminiscent of the dual nature of Christ as both fully God and fully man, providing all that is necessary for spiritual and physical life. Persons / Places / Events 1. AchsahThe daughter of Caleb, who is proactive in securing resources for her land. Her request demonstrates wisdom and foresight. 2. CalebA leader of the tribe of Judah, known for his faithfulness and courage. He grants Achsah's request, showing his generosity and understanding. 3. NegevA dry, arid region in the southern part of Israel. The land given to Achsah, which necessitated the need for water sources. 4. Upper and Lower SpringsThe water sources that Caleb grants to Achsah, symbolizing provision and sustenance in a dry land. Teaching Points The Importance of Bold RequestsAchsah's example teaches us to approach God with boldness in our requests, trusting in His provision. Wisdom in Resource ManagementAchsah's foresight in securing water for her land highlights the importance of planning and resource management in our lives. Generosity and ProvisionCaleb's response to Achsah's request exemplifies the Christian call to be generous and to provide for others' needs. Faith and ActionAchsah's initiative demonstrates the balance between faith in God's provision and taking action to secure what is needed. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Achsah's request for springs of water reflect her understanding of the needs of her land in the Negev? 2. In what ways can Caleb's response to Achsah's request inspire us to be generous in our own lives? 3. How does Achsah's boldness in making her request relate to Jesus' teaching on asking and receiving in Matthew 7:7-11? 4. What practical steps can we take to ensure we are wisely managing the resources God has entrusted to us? 5. How can we balance faith in God's provision with taking proactive steps in our personal and spiritual lives? Connections to Other Scriptures Joshua 15:18-19This passage parallels Judges 1:15, providing additional context to Achsah's request and Caleb's response. Proverbs 18:22Highlights the value of a prudent wife, which can be related to Achsah's wise request for resources. Matthew 7:7-11Jesus teaches about asking and receiving, which can be connected to Achsah's bold request and Caleb's generous response. 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 Blessing, Caleb, Dry, Favor, Giveth, Hast, Higher, Lower, Negeb, Negev, Nether, Present, South, Southland, South-land, Special, Spring, Springs, UpperDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 1:1-20 7266 tribes of Israel Judges 1:11-15 4293 water Judges 1:12-15 5654 betrothal Judges 1:14-15 4260 rivers and streams 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 1:15 NIVJudges 1:15 NLTJudges 1:15 ESVJudges 1:15 NASBJudges 1:15 KJV
Judges 1:15 Commentaries
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