Achsah was Caleb’s daughter, offered as a prize: whoever took Kirjathsepher could marry her, and Othniel, Caleb’s own kinsman, did. As she arrived at her new home she “lighted off her ass” and asked her father a favour. He had given her land in the dry south, so she asked, “Give me a blessing,” and requested springs of water too. Caleb gave her both the upper and the nether springs. It is a brief, bright scene, with a daughter who knew what her land needed and asked plainly. Joshua 15:13 to 19 tells it, and Chronicles adds a line placing her in Caleb’s family.
5 verses
And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.
And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife.
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?
Who answered, Give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs, and the nether springs.
She bare also Shaaph the father of Madmannah, Sheva the father of Machbenah, and the father of Gibea: and the daughter of Caleb was Achsah.
Matthew George Easton, 1897
Anklet, Caleb’s only daughter (1 Chr. 2:49). She was offered in marriage to the man who would lead an attack on the city of Debir, or Kirjath-sepher. This was done by Othniel (q.v.), who accordingly obtained her as his wife (Josh. 15:16-19; Judg. 1:9-15).
William Smith, 1884
(ankle-chain, anklet), daughter of Caleb. Her father promised her in marriage to whoever should take Debir. Othniel, her father’s younger brother, took that city, and accordingly received the hand of Achsah as his reward. Caleb added to her dowry the upper and lower springs. (B.C. 1450-1426.) (Joshua 15:15-19; Judges 1:11-15)