Joshua 15:1-19
Judah's Inheritance
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1Now the allotment for the clans of the tribe of Judah extended to the border of Edom, to the Wilderness of Zin at the extreme southern boundary:
2Their southern border started at the bay on the southern tip of the Salt Sea,
3proceeded south of the Ascent of Akrabbim, continued on to Zin, went over to the south of Kadesh-barnea, ran past Hezron up to Addar, and curved toward Karka.
4It proceeded to Azmon, joined the Brook of Egypt, and ended at the Sea. This was their southern border.
5The eastern border was the Salt Sea as far as the mouth of the Jordan. The northern border started from the bay of the sea at the mouth of the Jordan,
6went up to Beth-hoglah, proceeded north of Beth-arabah, and went up to the Stone of Bohan son of Reuben.
7Then the border went up to Debir from the Valley of Achor, turning north to Gilgal, which faces the Ascent of Adummim south of the ravine. It continued along the waters of En-shemesh and came out at En-rogel.
8From there the border went up the Valley of Ben-hinnom along the southern slope of the Jebusites (that is, Jerusalem) and ascended to the top of the hill that faces the Valley of Hinnom on the west, at the northern end of the Valley of Rephaim.
9From the hilltop the border curved to the spring of the Waters of Nephtoah, proceeded to the cities of Mount Ephron, and then bent around toward Baalah (that is, Kiriath-jearim).
10The border curled westward from Baalah to Mount Seir, ran along the northern slope of Mount Jearim (that is, Chesalon), went down to Beth-shemesh, and crossed to Timnah.
11Then it went out to the northern slope of Ekron, curved toward Shikkeron, proceeded to Mount Baalah, went on to Jabneel, and ended at the Sea.
12And the western border was the coastline of the Great Sea. These are the boundaries around the clans of the descendants of Judah.
13According to the LORD’s command to him, Joshua gave Caleb son of Jephunneh a portion among the sons of Judah—Kiriath-arba, that is, Hebron. (Arba was the forefather of Anak.)
14And Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak—the descendants of Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak.
15From there he marched against the inhabitants of Debir (formerly known as Kiriath-sepher).
16And Caleb said, “To the man who strikes down Kiriath-sepher and captures it, I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage.”
17So Othniel son of Caleb’s brother Kenaz captured the city, and Caleb gave his daughter Acsah to him in marriage.
18One day Acsah came to Othniel and urged him to ask her father for a field. When she got off her donkey, Caleb asked her, “What do you desire?”
19“Give me a blessing,” she answered. “Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me springs of water as well.” So Caleb gave her both the upper and lower springs.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
The lot for Judah's descendants is described by boundaries: the southern edge, the eastern border, the northern line, and the western boundary at the Great Sea. The list may feel technical, but it marks a real place for a large tribe within the promised inheritance.
The Salt Sea marks Judah's eastern edge, and the coastline of the Great Sea its western edge. The southern boundary runs toward the Brook of Egypt; the northern line passes along the southern slope of Jerusalem. These named landmarks locate the portion assigned to Judah.
Caleb receives Hebron and drives out the three sons of Anak. He then goes against Debir, which was formerly called Kiriath-sepher. Caleb offers his daughter Acsah in marriage to the man who captures the city, and Othniel takes it.
Acsah urges Othniel to ask her father for a field. She then asks Caleb for springs as well, because the land he has given her is in the Negev. Caleb gives her the upper and lower springs. Her request is practical and perceptive: dry land is not enough for a household to flourish. The inheritance must include what makes life possible.
Questions
1 How is Judah's territory described?
AnswerIt is described by southern, eastern, northern, and western boundaries, then identified through its towns and regions.
2 Who receives Hebron?
AnswerCaleb receives Hebron and drives out the three sons of Anak from the hill country.
3 Who captures Debir?
AnswerOthniel captures Debir after Caleb offers his daughter Acsah in marriage to the man who takes the city.
4 What does Acsah ask her father to provide?
AnswerShe asks for springs of water in addition to the field she has received, and Caleb gives her upper and lower springs.
What This Means for Us
A household needs more than a title or a place on paper. Acsah notices what will make the land livable and asks directly for what the family needs.
Healthy families make practical needs speakable. Ask whether someone has been given responsibility without the resources, water, time, or support required to carry it well.
Prayer
God who provides places for Your people, teach us to notice practical needs and ask for help without shame. Give our household generosity with resources and wisdom in every inheritance we manage. Amen.
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