Othniel And Achsah
Family – June 2025 – Grace & Truth Magazine
Othniel And Achsah
The Bible gives us many stories about people who were just like us. From these stories we learn valuable lessons that we can apply to our lives. One story is about two single people, Othniel and Achsah, how they met and how the L ORD used them. We read their story in Joshua 15:13-19 and Judges 1:12-15, 3:5-11. The fact that it is given to us more than once tells us that we should give it extra attention.
Who Was Othniel?
Othniel was the son of Kenaz, who was a younger brother of Caleb (Jud. 1:13). “Othniel” means “powerful man of God” or “lion of God.” Othniel’s uncle, Caleb, as we read in Numbers 13–14, was one of the 12 spies sent to search out the land of Canaan.
When the spies returned from evaluating the land, only two, Joshua and Caleb, gave a good report. The other ten spies were fearful. Caleb told the people not to fear, for with the LORD’s help they would overcome the enemy (13:30, 14:8). But the people did not believe Joshua and Caleb (v.10). As a result of their unbelief, the people over the age of 20 years never entered the Promised Land, dying instead in the wilderness. Joshua and Caleb were the two exceptions.
We do not know if Kenaz, Othniel’s dad and Caleb’s younger brother, was over or under 20 years old at that time, but we see that Caleb was an example for and influence on his nephew then and during the years that followed. One important lesson we learn here is that we can have an influence on our extended family. May that influence be for the Lord’s glory!
Who Was Achsah?
Achsah was the only daughter of Caleb. Her name means “jewel” or “ankle bracelet,” indicating that her father thought she was lovely. She was precious to him. It is a blessing to have a father who you know cares about you. While everyone may not have this in an earthly father, we know that as believers we all have a Father who loves us: “Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us” (1 Jn. 3:1 KJV). We are loved and precious! Achsah was precious to Caleb, and he was concerned about whom she would marry.
In The Promised Land
Caleb, having been 40 years old when he was sent to spy out the land (Josh. 14:7), was a pretty old man by the time he reached the Promised Land. There he defeated three sons of Anak (Josh. 15:14), who were giants (Num. 13:33). His victory was amazing, and it shows us that Caleb was still spiritually strong in his old age. Sometimes we may be spiritually strong only when we are young or just when we are older, but Caleb is an illustration for us of someone who was strong as a young person and as an older person. His faithfulness to God was consistent throughout his life.
Reaching Judges 1, we find Caleb giving a challenge. He said that whoever conquered the city of Kirjath-sepher would receive Achsah, Caleb’s daughter, as his wife. Trusting in the LORD, Othniel took up the challenge and conquered the city, and Achsah became his wife (Jud. 1:12-13).
More Lessons From Caleb, Othniel And Achsah
1. Caleb’s Godly Wisdom. It was important to Caleb that his daughter marry someone who trusted and loved God, and who was not afraid to fight for the things God wanted. God was the one who said they needed to take possession of the land and were to drive out the enemies. This is important. We, as believers, have enemies that we fight: the flesh, the world and the Devil. Ephesians 6:10-19 tells about the fight and how to do it. First Peter 5:8 talks more about our enemy the Devil, and 1 John 2:15 teaches us about the danger of loving the world. In looking for a spouse we do not just look for a believer but one who is deeply committed to following the Lord. There were many other young men in Israel, but Othniel showed his commitment by his actions.
2. Othniel’s Obedience And Faith. Othniel is an example of a man who was concerned that he marry a believer who took her faith seriously. Why was this important to him? Othniel knew what God had told them. In Deuteronomy 7:1-4 God had given instructions that they were not to marry those in the land – those who did not belong to God. These instructions were for those getting married and for the parents. What about us today? In 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 we are told not to be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. This applies to marriage and other relationships. Verse 17 tells us to “be … separate” from the world and what is opposed to God. It is particularly important in marriage that we should not be married to an unbeliever. Our lives must be subject to the Lord – how we live, where we gather, our occupation. We should marry someone who will follow the Lord with us. Amos 3:3 says we need to agree. It is important to know these issues before we begin to think about a marriage partner. Many of the young people who grew up with Othniel were not concerned about who they married. They married people in the world and as a result they served other gods (Jud. 3:5-7).
3. Achsah’s Request For A Blessing. Even though Achsah was given by her father to Othniel in marriage, she still asked for a blessing. Achsah desired God’s blessing in this new relationship; she wanted land and water – the upper and lower springs (1:13-15). The land reminds us of wanting to enjoy spiritual blessings, things that God has promised to us (read Eph. 1). Water represents the Word of God (5:26). Achsah had a great relationship with her dad. Not only did he love her, as we mentioned earlier, but she was comfortable in suggesting that Othniel ask him for land, and she was willing to go and ask herself. Sometimes we leave it up to our parents to ask us questions. Achsah is a good example of someone who was not afraid to talk to her dad or to ask him questions. It reminds us of what God’s Word says: “Ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts” (Jas. 4:2-3). It is important that we ask, and that we ask with the right motives.
4. Kirjath-sepher. The challenge for Othniel was to take Kirjath-sepher, which means “city of the book.” It was a place of learning “the wisdom of this world” (1 Cor. 3:19), and it needed to be removed. This reminds us of the new believers in Ephesus who brought all their books that had evil teaching and burned them. The books were worth 50,000 pieces of silver (Acts 19:19). We, too, need to remove from ourselves those things that are contrary to God’s Word – what we read, listen to or watch. It is challenging work, as taking the city was for Othniel, but we are to be “transformed by the renewing of our mind” (Rom. 12:2). We need to ask ourselves, “What needs to be removed from my life?” Let us pray for courage and strength to do this challenging work.
5. Othniel As A Judge. After Othniel and Achsah were married, he became the first judge in Israel (Jud. 3:9-10). The children of Israel had married unbelievers and fallen into idolatry. The Lord had allowed them to be oppressed by the king of Mesopotamia until they cried out to Him. Then, He used Othniel to deliver His people from their oppression.
Mesopotamia was the place from where God had first called Abraham, the father of the Israelites, to leave. Now they were serving the very nation from which Abraham had been delivered. The Lord brought this oppression into their lives to discipline them, for He loved them and wanted them to return to Himself. He does the same with us (Heb. 12:5-11).
“The LORD raised up” Othniel (Jud. 3:9); Othniel did not raise himself to the place of a judge. He had been faithful earlier in his life, and now the Lord used him for a more significant role. This is how God works. David was a shepherd for sheep, but God made him a shepherd of people. John Mark was a helper to Paul with daily things but then became profitable for the ministry. It is important to be faithful in what is “least” so we can be faithful in “much” (Lk. 16:10). Othniel and Achsah were a couple that served the LORD together, and he was a judge for 40 years.
6. Their Son Hathath. There is a sad point in the story of Othniel and Achsah. They had a son named Hathath (1 Chr. 4:13), meaning “fearful.” Remember Othniel’s name means “powerful man of God” or “lion of God.” The names indicate quite a contrast between the father and his son. While parents may be strong believers, their children may not be the same. Hathath does not seem to have had the same faith as his parents. He was not a powerful man of God.
Concluding Challenge
Caleb’s faith and decisions were vastly different from the people as a whole. Othniel and Achsah were different from those around them, for God’s principles were important to them and they were able to serve God together. You, as an individual, must make decisions about your walk with God. As you think about this story, what lessons can you apply to your life? How important is your relationship with the Lord? Are you willing to serve Him whole-heartedly?
By David Pickering