King James Version
What Does Judges 1:14 Mean?
“And it came to pass, when she came to him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted from off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wilt thou?”
Context
12
And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.
13
And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife.
14
And it came to pass, when she came to him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted from off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wilt thou?
15
And she said unto him, Give me a blessing: for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And Caleb gave her the upper springs and the nether springs.
16
And the children of the Kenite, Moses' father in law, went up out of the city of palm trees with the children of Judah into the wilderness of Judah, which lieth in the south of Arad; and they went and dwelt among the people.
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(14) **When she came to him.**—When she first reached his house as a bride.
**She moved him.**—He was too modest to ask for himself, and he declined her request; but she will not enter till she has gained her way.
**A field.**—Rather, *the field. *In the passage in Joshua 15:18 there is no definite article, but by the time this book was written the field then obtained by Achsah had become historical.
**Lighted.**—Not merely in sign of reverence (like Rebecca in Genesis 24:64, and Abigail in 1Samuel 25:25), but “leaped off” with eager impetuosity. The Hebrew verb *tsanach *here used occurs in Judges 4:21, where it is rendered “fastened,” *i.e., “*drove it firmly by a blow.” The LXX. render it “screamed” or “shouted from the ass;” the Vulg., “sighed as she was sitting on the ass;” but they probably had a different reading. “Suddenly,” says Ewald, “*as if some accident had happened to her, *she fell from her ass, and on being embraced by her anxious father, she adjured him as if in words of inspiration” (*Hist. Isr. ii.* 366).
**What wilt thou?**—Caleb was unable to understand her conduct in refusing to enter the house of her bridegroom.
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of Judges. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
Judges 1:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Cross-References
Verses related to Judges 1:14
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge