La conquistaDaughter of CalebWife of OthnielA courageous woman in the conquest periodc. 1400 BC
Acsah was the daughter of the faithful Caleb, who together with Joshua was one of only two among the twelve spies who gave a positive report after exploring the land of Canaan. When Caleb offered his daughter as a reward to whoever captured the city of Kiriath-sepher (Debir), Othniel – son of Kenaz – won her hand through his bravery in battle. Acsah showed both courage and practical wisdom: according to the text, Othniel was encouraged to ask his father for a field, and then Acsah herself approached Caleb directly with a request for springs in addition to the dry Negev land she had received. Caleb generously granted her both the upper and lower springs, a gift of great economic and life-sustaining value. Her initiative and boldness make her one of the most action-oriented female figures in the accounts of the conquest.
Caleb promised to give his daughter Acsah to whoever captured Kiriath-sepher (Debir). This was a known method to motivate warriors during the conquest of Canaan.
When Acsah arrived at Othniel's home, steps were taken to ask Caleb for a piece of land. Acsah then approached her father directly and requested water springs, since she had been given dry land in the Negev. Caleb gave her both the upper and lower springs—a generous gift that secured the family's livelihood in the arid landscape.
19She answered, "Grant me a favor. Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me springs of water as well." So he gave her the upper and lower springs.
15She answered, "Grant me a favor. Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me springs of water as well." So Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs.