Old Testament

Judges 1:14

The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English

At a Glance

In this verse, Achsah, the daughter of Caleb, approaches her husband Othniel with a request.

Author: Traditionally attributed to Samuel
Written: Around 1050-1000 BC
Genre: Historical narrative
Original Audience: The Israelites living under the judges

CBTClear Bible Translation

When Achsah came to Othniel, she urged him to ask her father for a piece of land. She got down from her donkey, and Caleb asked her, "What do you want?"

KJVKing James Version

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?

Verse Analysis

Plain-English insight for readers

In this verse, Achsah, the daughter of Caleb, approaches her husband Othniel with a request. She encourages him to ask her father for a piece of land that she desires. When she arrives, she dismounts from her donkey, indicating her determination and respect. Caleb, her father, notices her and asks what she wants. This interaction highlights the importance of communication in relationships and the role of women in seeking their needs. Achsah's initiative shows her confidence and the cultural practice of women advocating for their desires through their husbands. The verse sets the stage for a significant request that will lead to further blessings for Achsah and her family, emphasizing the importance of taking action to fulfill one's needs and the support of family in achieving those goals.

Key themes

Related Bible verses

How to apply Judges 1:14 to your life

This verse encourages us to be proactive in expressing our needs and desires, especially within our families. It reminds us that open communication can lead to positive outcomes and that seeking support from loved ones can help us achieve our goals.

Curated for this public verse page. Judges Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Achsah's request to Othniel signify?

Achsah's request to Othniel signifies her initiative and assertiveness in seeking what she desires. It reflects the cultural context where women could advocate for their needs through their husbands. This act demonstrates her confidence and the importance of communication in relationships, particularly in family dynamics.

Why did Achsah dismount from her donkey?

Achsah dismounted from her donkey as a gesture of respect and determination. This action indicates her seriousness about her request and her willingness to engage directly with her father, Caleb. It symbolizes her proactive approach in seeking the land she desires, highlighting her role in the family.

What can we learn about family dynamics from this verse?

This verse illustrates the importance of open communication within families. Achsah's encouragement for Othniel to ask her father for land shows how family members can support each other in pursuing their goals. It emphasizes the collaborative nature of family relationships and the significance of advocating for one's needs.

How does this verse reflect women's roles in biblical times?

This verse reflects women's roles in biblical times by showcasing Achsah's active participation in decision-making regarding land ownership. It highlights that women, while often in subordinate positions, could still assert their desires and influence outcomes through their relationships with men, demonstrating a nuanced view of gender roles in that era.

Book Summary

The Book of Judges

Judges 1–2: Incomplete Conquest and the Cycle of Sin

After the death of Joshua, the tribes of Israel inquire of the Lord who should first go up to fight the remaining Canaanites. Judah is chosen and, with the help of the tribe of Simeon, achieves several victories, but fails to drive out the inhabitants of the coastal plain because they have iron chariots. The book then details the failures of the other tribes—Benjamin, Manasseh, Ephraim, Zebulun, Asher, and Naphtali—to completely dispossess the Canaanites from their allotted territories. Instead of driving them out, the Israelites put them to forced labor, allowing pagan influences to remain in the land. An angel of the Lord appears at Bochim and rebukes the people for breaking their covenant with God by making treaties with the inhabitants of the land. The people weep and offer sacrifices, but the pattern of disobedience is set.

A new generation arises that does not know the Lord or the works He has done for Israel. This generation forsakes the God of their fathers, turning to worship the Baals and Ashtaroth of the surrounding peoples. This apostasy provokes the Lord's anger, and He hands them over to their enemies, who oppress them. When the Israelites cry out to the Lord in their misery, He raises up judges—deliverers who save them from their oppressors. However, as soon as a judge dies, the people relapse into even greater corruption, returning to their idolatrous ways. This establishes the book's central, recurring cycle: sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance, followed by a period of rest, and then a return to sin. Judges 3: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar The first cycle of judgment begins as the Israelites do evil in the sight of the Lord and worship idols. God's anger burns against them, and He sells them into the hands of Cushan-Rishathaim, king of Mesopotamia, whom they serve for eight years. When the people cry out to the Lord, He raises up Othniel, the younger brother of Caleb, as their deliverer. The Spirit of the Lord comes upon him, and he leads Israel to victory, defeating the Mesopotamian king. The land has peace for forty years until Othniel's death. After Othniel dies, the Israelites again do evil, and God strengthens Eglon, the king of Moab, against them. Eglon, allied with the Ammonites and Amalekites, defeats Israel and captures the city of palms, Jericho. The Israelites are subject to Moab for eighteen years. When they cry out for help, God raises up Ehud, a left-handed man from the tribe of Benjamin. While delivering Israel's tribute, Ehud uses his left-handedness to his advantage, concealing a dagger on his right thigh. In a private audience with the obese King Eglon, he claims to have a secret message from God and stabs the king in the belly. Ehud escapes, rallies the Israelite forces, and leads them to a decisive victory over the Moabites, killing about 10,000 of their soldiers. The land enjoys peace for eighty years. After Ehud, Shamgar son of Anath is mentioned, who strikes down 600 Philistines with an oxgoad, also saving Israel.

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