I. Summary
The boundaries and cities of Judah’s territory are enumerated. Caleb conquers his land and gives his daughter Achsah in marriage to Othniel, the man who conquers Kiriath-Sepher.
II. Photo
Achsah is married off: “Caleb announced, ‘I will give my daughter Achsah in marriage to the man who attacks and captures Kiriath-sepher.’” (v. 16)
III. Select Verses
13-17: In accordance with the LORD’s command to Joshua, Caleb son of Jephunneh was given a portion among the Judites, namely, Kiriath-arba — that is, Hebron. ([Arba] was the father of Anak.) Caleb dislodged from there the three Anakites: Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, descendants of Anak. From there he marched against the inhabitants of Debir — the name of Debir was formerly Kiriath-sepher — and Caleb announced, “I will give my daughter Achsah in marriage to the man who attacks and captures Kiriath-sepher.” His kinsman Othniel the Kenizzite captured it; and Caleb gave him his daughter Achsah in marriage.
18-19: When she came [to him], she induced him to ask her father for some property. She dismounted from her donkey, and Caleb asked her, “What is the matter?” She replied, “Give me a present; for you have given me away as Negeb-land; so give me springs of water.” And he gave her Upper and Lower Gulloth.
63. But the Judites could not dispossess the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem; so the Judites dwell with the Jebusites in Jerusalem to this day.
IV. Outline
1-12. The boundaries of Judah
13-19. Caleb’s portion
13-14. Caleb’s portion and conquest
15-17. Caleb’s daughter is given to Othniel for capturing Kiriath-sepher
18-19. Caleb’s daugter requests land and is given Gulloth
20-63. The the Judahite towns
20. Introduction
21-32. A group of 29 towns
33-36. A group of 14 towns
37-41. A group of 16 towns
42-44. A group of 9 towns
45-47. Ekron, Ashdod, and Gaza
48-51. A group of 11 towns
52-54. A group of 9 towns
55-57. A group of 10 towns
58-59. A group of 6 towns
60. A group of 2 towns
61-62. A group of 6 towns
63. The Jebusites remain with the Judahites in Jerusalem
V. Comment
For help with the geography, see the map on page 12 of A. F. Rainey and R S. Notley, The Sacred Bridge: Carta’s Atlas of the Biblical World, Jerusalem: Carta, 2006.
See http://www.carta-jerusalem.com
VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Photo copied from http://www.andytailor.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/wedding-dress-on-hanger.jpg
