Judges 1:12
New International Version
And Caleb said, “I will give my daughter Aksah in marriage to the man who attacks and captures Kiriath Sepher.”

New Living Translation
Caleb said, “I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage to the one who attacks and captures Kiriath-sepher.”

English Standard Version
And Caleb said, “He who attacks Kiriath-sepher and captures it, I will give him Achsah my daughter for a wife.”

Berean Standard Bible
And Caleb said, “To the man who strikes down Kiriath-sepher and captures it, I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage.”

King James Bible
And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.

New King James Version
Then Caleb said, “Whoever attacks Kirjath Sepher and takes it, to him I will give my daughter Achsah as wife.”

New American Standard Bible
And Caleb said, “Whoever attacks Kiriath-sepher and captures it, I will give him my daughter Achsah as a wife.”

NASB 1995
And Caleb said, “The one who attacks Kiriath-sepher and captures it, I will even give him my daughter Achsah for a wife.”

NASB 1977
And Caleb said, “The one who attacks Kiriath-sepher and captures it, I will even give him my daughter Achsah for a wife.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And Caleb said, “The one who strikes Kiriath-sepher and captures it, I will even give him my daughter Achsah as a wife.”

Amplified Bible
And Caleb said, “Whoever attacks Kiriath-sepher and captures it, I will even give him my daughter Achsah as a wife.”

Christian Standard Bible
Caleb said, “Whoever attacks and captures Kiriath-sepher, I will give my daughter Achsah to him as a wife.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Caleb said, “Whoever strikes down and captures Kiriath-sepher, I will give my daughter Achsah to him as a wife.”

American Standard Version
And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kiriath-sepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.

Contemporary English Version
Caleb told his troops, "The man who captures Kiriath-Sepher can marry my daughter Achsah."

English Revised Version
And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kiriath-sepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Caleb said, "I will give my daughter Achsah as a wife to whoever defeats Kiriath Sepher and captures it."

Good News Translation
One of them, called Caleb, said, "I will give my daughter Achsah in marriage to the man who succeeds in capturing Kiriath Sepher."

International Standard Version
Caleb announced, "I'll give my daughter Achsah in marriage to whomever leads the attack against Kiriath-sepher and captures it."

Majority Standard Bible
And Caleb said, “To the man who strikes down Kiriath-sepher and captures it, I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage.”

NET Bible
Caleb said, "To the man who attacks and captures Kiriath Sepher I will give my daughter Acsah as a wife."

New Heart English Bible
Caleb said, "He who strikes Kiriath Sepher, and takes it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter as wife."

Webster's Bible Translation
And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjath-sepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter for a wife.

World English Bible
Caleb said, “I will give Achsah my daughter as wife to the man who strikes Kiriath Sepher, and takes it.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Caleb says, “He who strikes Kirjath-Sepher and has captured it—then I have given my daughter Achsah to him for a wife.”

Young's Literal Translation
and Caleb saith, 'He who smiteth Kirjath-Sepher -- and hath captured it -- then I have given to him Achsah my daughter for a wife.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Caleb will say, Whoever shall smite the city of the Book and take it, and I will give to him Achsah my daughter for a wife.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Caleb said: He that shall take Cariath-Sepher, and lay it waste, to him will I give my daughter Axa to wife.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Caleb said, “Whoever will strike Kiriath-Sepher, and will lay waste to it, I will give to him my daughter Achsah as wife.”

New American Bible
Caleb said, “To the man who attacks Kiriath-sepher and captures it, I will give my daughter Achsah in marriage.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then Caleb said, “Whoever attacks Kiriath-sepher and takes it, I will give him my daughter Achsah as wife.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Caleb said, He who takes Koriath-sephra, and destroys it, I will give him Achsah my daughter to wife.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Kalab said, “Who will attack Quryath Sepra and will destroy it? I shall give him Aksa my daughter as a wife”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Caleb said: 'He that smiteth Kiriath-sepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Chaleb said, Whosoever shall smite the city of Letters, and shall first take it, I will give to him Ascha my daughter to wife.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jerusalem and Hebron Captured
11From there they marched against the inhabitants of Debir (formerly known as Kiriath-sepher). 12And Caleb said, “To the man who strikes down Kiriath-sepher and captures it, I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage.” 13So Othniel son of Caleb’s younger brother Kenaz captured the city, and Caleb gave his daughter Acsah to him in marriage.…

Cross References
Joshua 15:16-17
And Caleb said, “To the man who strikes down Kiriath-sepher and captures it, I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage.” / So Othniel son of Caleb’s brother Kenaz captured the city, and Caleb gave his daughter Acsah to him in marriage.

1 Samuel 17:25
Now the men of Israel had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out to defy Israel? To the man who kills him the king will give great riches. And he will give him his daughter in marriage and exempt his father’s house from taxation in Israel.”

1 Samuel 18:17-27
Then Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage. Only be valiant for me and fight the LORD’s battles.” But Saul was thinking, “I need not raise my hand against him; let the hand of the Philistines be against him.” / And David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my father’s clan in Israel, that I should become the son-in-law of the king?” / So when it was time to give Saul’s daughter Merab to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah. ...

1 Chronicles 11:6
Now David had said, “Whoever is the first to strike down a Jebusite will become chief commander.” And Joab son of Zeruiah went up first, and he became the chief.

1 Samuel 14:49-50
Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchishua. His two daughters were named Merab (his firstborn) and Michal (his younger daughter). / His wife’s name was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the commander of his army was Abner, the son of Saul’s uncle Ner.

1 Samuel 14:1-14
One day Jonathan son of Saul said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.” But Jonathan did not tell his father. / Meanwhile, Saul was staying under the pomegranate tree in Migron on the outskirts of Gibeah. And the troops who were with him numbered about six hundred men, / including Ahijah, who was wearing an ephod. He was the son of Ichabod’s brother Ahitub son of Phinehas, the son of Eli the priest of the LORD in Shiloh. But the troops did not know that Jonathan had left. ...

2 Samuel 23:8-39
These are the names of David’s mighty men: Josheb-basshebeth the Tahchemonite was chief of the Three. He wielded his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed at one time. / Next in command was Eleazar son of Dodo the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty men, he went with David to taunt the Philistines who had gathered for battle at Pas-dammim. The men of Israel retreated, / but Eleazar stood his ground and struck the Philistines until his hand grew weary and stuck to his sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day. Then the troops returned to him, but only to plunder the dead. ...

Numbers 32:39-42
The descendants of Machir son of Manasseh went to Gilead, captured it, and drove out the Amorites who were there. / So Moses gave Gilead to the clan of Machir son of Manasseh, and they settled there. / Jair, a descendant of Manasseh, went and captured their villages and called them Havvoth-jair. ...

Deuteronomy 1:38
Joshua son of Nun, who stands before you, will enter it. Encourage him, for he will enable Israel to inherit the land.

1 Samuel 25:39-44
On hearing that Nabal was dead, David said, “Blessed be the LORD, who has upheld my cause against the reproach of Nabal and has restrained His servant from evil. For the LORD has brought the wickedness of Nabal down upon his own head.” Then David sent word to Abigail, asking her to become his wife. / When his servants came to Abigail at Carmel, they said, “David has sent us to take you as his wife.” / She arose, bowed facedown, and said, “Here is your servant, ready to serve and to wash the feet of my lord’s servants.” ...

1 Samuel 14:6
Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.”

1 Samuel 14:45
But the people said to Saul, “Must Jonathan die—he who accomplished such a great deliverance for Israel? Never! As surely as the LORD lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, for with God’s help he has accomplished this today.” So the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die.

2 Samuel 21:1-14
During the reign of David there was a famine for three successive years, and David sought the face of the LORD. And the LORD said, “It is because of the blood shed by Saul and his family, because he killed the Gibeonites.” / At this, David summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them. (Now the Gibeonites were not Israelites, but a remnant of the Amorites. The Israelites had taken an oath concerning them, but in his zeal for Israel and Judah, Saul had sought to kill them.) / So David asked the Gibeonites, “What shall I do for you? How can I make amends so that you may bless the inheritance of the LORD?” ...

Matthew 1:5
Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse,

Hebrews 11:32
And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets,


Treasury of Scripture

And Caleb said, He that smites Kirjathsepher, and takes it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.

And Caleb.

Judges 15:13-19
And they spake unto him, saying, No; but we will bind thee fast, and deliver thee into their hand: but surely we will not kill thee. And they bound him with two new cords, and brought him up from the rock…

Joshua 15:16,17
And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife…

1 Samuel 17:25
And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel.

to him.

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Achsah Acsah Attacks Caleb Captured Captures Daughter Kiriath Kiriath-Sepher Kir'iath-Se'pher Kirjathsepher Kirjath-Sepher Marriage Overcomes Sepher Smiteth Strikes Wife
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Achsah Acsah Attacks Caleb Captured Captures Daughter Kiriath Kiriath-Sepher Kir'iath-Se'pher Kirjathsepher Kirjath-Sepher Marriage Overcomes Sepher Smiteth Strikes Wife
Judges 1
1. The acts of Judah and Simeon
4. Adonibezek justly requited
8. Jerusalem taken
10. Hebron taken
11. Othniel has Achsah to wife for taking of Debir
16. The Kenites dwell in Judah
17. Hormah, Gaza, Askelon, and Ekron taken
21. The acts of Benjamin
22. Of the house of Joseph, who take Bethel
30. Of Zebulun
31. Of Asher
33. Of Naphtali
34. Of Dan














And Caleb said
Caleb, whose name in Hebrew means "dog" or "faithful," is a prominent figure in the Old Testament, known for his unwavering faith in God. He was one of the two spies, along with Joshua, who trusted in God's promise to deliver the land of Canaan to the Israelites. His statement here reflects his leadership and initiative in the conquest of the Promised Land. Caleb's faith and courage are exemplary, serving as a model for believers to trust in God's promises and act boldly in faith.

To the man who strikes down
The phrase indicates a challenge or a call to action. In the context of ancient warfare, striking down an enemy was a common way to demonstrate bravery and skill. Caleb's offer is not just about military conquest but also about proving one's valor and commitment to the cause of God's people. This reflects the biblical theme of God rewarding those who step out in faith and courage.

Kiriath-sepher
Kiriath-sepher, meaning "City of Books" or "City of Scribes," was a Canaanite city. Its name suggests it may have been a center of learning or record-keeping, which adds a layer of significance to its capture. The conquest of such a city would symbolize not only a military victory but also the triumph of God's wisdom over human knowledge. This aligns with the biblical narrative of God's wisdom surpassing human understanding.

and captures it
The act of capturing the city implies a complete victory and possession. In the biblical context, capturing a city was not just a physical conquest but also a spiritual one, as it involved claiming the land for God's people. This reflects the broader theme of the Israelites' journey to claim the Promised Land, a journey that requires faith, obedience, and divine intervention.

I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage
In ancient times, marriage was often used to form alliances and secure loyalty. Caleb's offer of his daughter Acsah, whose name means "anklet" or "adornment," signifies a reward of great value and honor. This reflects the biblical principle of God rewarding those who are faithful and courageous. The marriage also symbolizes the union of faith and action, as Acsah becomes part of the legacy of God's people through this alliance.

(12) And Caleb said.--See Joshua 15:16. Caleb was a "Kenizzite," which seems to imply that he was descended from Kenaz, a grandson of Esau (Genesis 36:11). In Numbers 13:6 he is mentioned as being a prince (nasi, or chief, rosh) of the tribe of Judah. He was certainly affiliated to that tribe; but if the name "Caleb" means "dog," it would seem a very unlikely name for a pure Jew, for I cannot think that the effort to trace a sort of totem system (or naming of tribes from animals) among the ancient Jews (Journ. of Philology, June, 1880) is successful. His father's name. Je-phunneh, is of uncertain derivation. Frst and Meier derive Caleb from a root meaning "valiant;" but the peculiarity of the expressions used respecting him in Joshua 15:13; Joshua 14:14, together with certain marked names and features in the genealogies of his family, at least give some probability to the conjecture that he was of foreign origin.

Will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.--Comp. 1Samuel 17:25; 1Samuel 18:17. So the Messenian hero Aristomenes gave a peasant woman, who had saved his life, in marriage to his son. This story shows the strength and importance of this fastness of the south, which is also proved by the fact that Caleb has to refer to his unbroken strength before he gains permission to win the region by the sword (Joshua 14:11). . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And Caleb
כָּלֵ֔ב (kā·lêḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3612: Caleb -- a son of Jephunneh and sent by Moses to spy out the land

said,
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“To the man
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

who strikes down
יַכֶּ֥ה (yak·keh)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5221: To strike

Kiriath-sepher
סֵ֖פֶר (sê·p̄er)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7158: Kiriath-sepher -- 'city of writing', a city in Judah

and captures it,
וּלְכָדָ֑הּ (ū·lə·ḵā·ḏāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3920: To catch, to capture, occupy, to choose, to cohere

I will give
וְנָתַ֥תִּי (wə·nā·ṯat·tî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

my daughter
בִתִּ֖י (ḇit·tî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1323: A daughter

Acsah
עַכְסָ֥ה (‘aḵ·sāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5915: Achsah -- a daughter of Caleb

in marriage.”
לְאִשָּֽׁה׃ (lə·’iš·šāh)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female


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OT History: Judges 1:12 Caleb said He who strikes Kiriath Sepher (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 1:11
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