Achsah
femaleConquestMeaning: “Anklet; tinkling ornament”
The daughter of Caleb, given in marriage to Othniel for capturing Kirjath-sepher; she boldly asked her father for springs of water.
Biography
Achsah was the daughter of Caleb, the faithful spy. Caleb offered her in marriage to whoever would capture Kirjath-sepher (Debir), and his nephew Othniel — later Israel's first judge — took the city and won her hand (Joshua 15:16–17).
A bold request
On her marriage, Achsah urged Othniel to ask her father for a field, then went herself to Caleb with a further, gracious boldness: "Thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water." And Caleb gave her the upper and the lower springs (Joshua 15:18–19; Judges 1:14–15). Her account is a small but vivid picture of a daughter's confidence and a father's generosity in the age of the conquest.
Life Timeline
Married to Othniel; asks Caleb for springs of water
On the Bible timeline
Achsah belongs to the The Exodus & Wilderness era (c. 1446 BC (early) / 1260 BC (late)).
- c. 1446 BC (early) / 1260 BC (late)The Exodus from Egypt
- c. 1446 BCThe Law Given at Sinai
- c. 1406 BCThe Conquest of Canaan
Family Tree
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Themes & lessons from Achsah
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Achsah appears.
People they appear with
Scripture Appearances
5 verses in 3 booksJoshua2 verses
Joshua 15:16
And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.
Joshua 15:17
And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife.
Judges2 verses
Judges 1:12
And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.
Judges 1:13
And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife.
1 Chronicles1 verse
1 Chronicles 2:49
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.
Frequently asked about Achsah
Who was Achsah in the Bible?
The daughter of Caleb, given in marriage to Othniel for capturing Kirjath-sepher; she boldly asked her father for springs of water.
What does the name Achsah mean?
The name Achsah means “Anklet; tinkling ornament”.
Who were Achsah's parents?
Achsah was the child of Caleb.
Where does Achsah appear in the Bible?
Achsah is mentioned 5 times across 3 books: Joshua, Judges, 1 Chronicles.
What can we learn from Achsah?
The story of Achsah touches on themes of achsah, othniel, anakim, the, book — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Achsah's life.
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