Joshua 15:17

Arabic SVD 1865 Version (Smith and Van Dyke)

فاخذها عثنيئيل بن قناز اخو كالب. فاعطاه عكسة ابنته امرأة.

What Does This Mean?

This verse tells us that Othniel, the son of Kenaz and Caleb's brother, captured a city. As a reward, Caleb gave Othniel his daughter, Achsah, to marry. This shows the custom of rewarding bravery with marriage alliances.

Explained for Children

Imagine you help your friend win a big game, and as a thank you, your friend's dad lets you marry his daughter. This is kind of like that, but in ancient times, it was a way to make strong families.

Historical Background

The book of Joshua was likely written by Joshua or his assistants around 1400-1300 B.C. The audience was the Israelites who had just entered the Promised Land. This verse reflects the cultural practice of rewarding military achievements with marriage alliances.

Living It Out Today

In today’s world, we see this verse as a reminder that our actions can lead to unexpected blessings. For example, a person who bravely helps their community might be offered a job or partnership from grateful community leaders.

Topics

• bravery
• reward
• family alliances
• marriage
• cultural practices
• biblical geography

Related Verses

• Judges 1:13
• Judges 3:9
• 1 Chronicles 4:13
• Numbers 13:6
• Deuteronomy 1:35

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Caleb give his daughter to Othniel?

Caleb gave his daughter as a reward for Othniel's bravery in capturing a city, which was a common practice in ancient times to form strong alliances.

What does this verse teach about family loyalty?

This verse shows that family loyalty was so strong that Caleb would reward his nephew's bravery with a marriage alliance, strengthening their family ties.

How can we apply this verse to modern family dynamics?

In modern times, this verse teaches us that showing support for family members who achieve great things can strengthen family bonds and create new alliances.

What does this verse reveal about ancient marriage practices?

This verse illustrates that marriages were often arranged to strengthen alliances and reward achievements, reflecting the societal norms of ancient Israel.