The storyteller now introduces Othni-el, the man who took up Caleb’s challenge, conquered the town, and married his daughter. The initial Hebrew waw conjunction rendered And could indicate time (“Then”) or a result (“So”). Some languages may prefer “Now,” which might be appropriate as a new character is introduced.

The latter part of name Othni-el means “God” (ʾel in Hebrew), but scholars differ as to the meaning of the name as a whole. Some believe it means “God is my strength,” while others say it means “God has helped me.”

Achsah’s husband, Othni-el, is presented as the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother. This introduction is crucial since Othniel is to become the first judge in Israel (verse 3.7-11). His presentation as the son of Kenaz seems to link him back to the line of Esau (Gen 36.10-11). Kenaz is qualified as Caleb’s younger brother. Translators should ensure that this descriptive phrase qualifies Kenaz and not Othni-el himself. Some commentators note that Othniel must have inherited some of the bravery from his uncle Caleb, who was known for his courage and leadership (Num 13–14).

Some readers will be surprised to learn that Othni-el married his cousin, as he was, in fact, the nephew of Caleb. However, in early Israelite culture this kind of intermarriage was allowed and even encouraged. Of course, other types of unions, for example, between brothers and sisters-in-law, were considered incest (see Lev 18.16).

Translators may rearrange the presentation of Othniel and his family relationships according to the norms and forms in their language. Good News Translation adjusts the order to say “Othniel, the son of Caleb’s younger brother Kenaz” (similarly Revised English Bible). In some languages it may be necessary to slow down the story line by beginning this verse with “Now Caleb’s younger brother Kenaz had a son named Othniel. It was he who….” This presentation, which begins with the oldest and ends with the youngest, may be preferred in some languages.

Took it means “captured it.” See verse 1.8. In Hebrew the pronoun it is literally “her,” referring not to the daughter, but rather to the city that was captured. In many languages it may be better to be more specific and say “captured the city.”

And he gave him Achsah his daughter as wife: The Hebrew waw conjunction rendered and introduces a result clause here, so it can be translated “so,” as in Good News Translation. For the rest of the clause, see verse 1.12. If possible, the same expression should be used here. The pronouns he and his refer to Caleb, and him points to Othniel. These pronouns can be made explicit if necessary.

One model for translating this verse is:

• It was Othniel, the son of Caleb’s younger brother Kenaz, who captured the city, so Caleb gave him his daughter Achsah to be his wife.

Quoted with permission from Zogbo, Lynell and Ogden, Graham S. A Handbook on Judges. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

Judg 1.:14

This verse poses a problem because the Hebrew text and the Greek translation, the Septuagint, show several differences. Other details in this short episode are also hard to interpret.

When she came to him: This verse begins with the Hebrew expression wayehi (literally “And it was”), which seems to indicate a new episode is starting. There is certainly a time lapse between the battle and the time the young people were married. However, When she came to him is ambiguous. Good News Translation thinks this clause refers to their wedding day, while other versions refer to a time after this day. For example, Contemporary English Version says “Right after the wedding,” and Revised English Bible has “When she became his wife.” These renderings are more general and so perhaps more acceptable. New International Version sees a time much later after their marriage, saying “One day when she came to Othniel.” Translators will have to decide which interpretation to follow here.

She urged him: This clause also causes a serious problem for interpreters. Revised Standard Version, Contemporary English Version, New International Version, New American Bible, and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh follow the Hebrew text. But Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, and New Jerusalem Bible follow the Septuagint, which has “he urged her.” Good News Translation makes this explicit, saying “Othniel urged her,” and Revised English Bible is similar with “Othniel induced her.” It is possible the Greek translators changed the Hebrew text to make it more logical, with the husband urging his wife to go to her father with a special request. However, the parallel passage in verse 15.18 has exactly the same text, “she urged him,” so there seems no reason to deviate from the Hebrew text here. Indeed, Hebrew Old Testament Text Project recommends translators follow this text. Othniel is Caleb’s nephew, so it does not seem unreasonable that the daughter pushes her husband to make a request of her father. Translators should follow the Hebrew text, putting the Greek rendering in a footnote if so desired. She urged him means she made a strong suggestion to her husband. For urged some versions have “induced” (New American Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) or “incited,” but it will be simpler to say she “pushed” or “suggested to.”

To ask her father for a field: Many think this request is made in the context of their marriage, suggesting the new couple may have had the right to request a wedding gift. If so, this is another reason to maintain the Hebrew text above (she urged him). The text here is literally “to ask from her father the field.” Normally the Hebrew word for field refers to fertile land or farmland. However, the next verse reveals her real concern is not the quality of the land, but rather a source of water for her land. For a field we could say “a piece of land” (Revised English Bible), “some land,” or “some property” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). New Jerusalem Bible anticipates the discussion to come, saying “arable land.” Certainly terms that might refer to wet fields, such as rice paddy fields, should not be used here.

Some translation models for this first half of the verse are:

• After their marriage, Achsah kept asking her husband* to request some farmland from her father.
* The Greek translation says rather “he asked her.”

• Following their marriage, Othniel urged her* to ask her father to give them a field.
* This follows the Septuagint. The Hebrew says “she urged him.”

And she alighted from her ass: Revised Standard Version‘s rendering of the Hebrew waw conjunction as and seems unnatural. The connection between this clause and the previous one is difficult, since there has been no mention of the daughter setting out to visit her father. In many languages it will be necessary to supply some transition material, saying for example, “Having arrived at her father’s place” or “When she got there.” If this is done, the waw conjunction would be omitted. The verb alighted means “got off” (New International Version), “got down from” (Good News Translation), “dismounted” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) the donkey.

The Hebrew word for ass is a generic term for donkey. Translators will notice that many English translations use the word “donkey” instead of ass, since in modern English, this word has a negative connotation. Most languages have a word for “donkey,” even if it is borrowed from another language. If not, translators can speak of “the animal [she was riding on].” The pronoun her could mean that the donkey belonged to her, or simply that this was the donkey she was riding on.

And Caleb said to her, “What do you wish?”: Here and (waw in Hebrew) connects the events in the story. However, many versions prefer to express the previous clause as a time clause, and omit the conjunction and. For example, New International Version has “When she got off her donkey, Caleb….”

Caleb is Achsah’s father and in some languages the phrase “her father” may be preferred, or we could say “her father Caleb.” Since Caleb is asking a question, said may be rendered “asked” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version).

What do you wish? renders a Hebrew idiomatic expression that is literally “What to you?” It is hard to discern the tone of this greeting formula. It could be a simple “How are you?” but in many cultures such words would seem abrupt or even impolite. Many versions think the father is simply concerned about his daughter, asking “What’s bothering you?” (Contemporary English Version), “What is troubling you?” (New American Bible), or “What is the matter?” (New Jerusalem Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). If this interpretation is correct, the father’s concern is evident. Revised Standard Version renders the question in more neutral terms, as does Revised English Bible: “What do you want?” Translators will have to decide which interpretation is best. The question could be softened by mentioning the daughter’s name: “Achsah, what do you want?” Another possibility is to follow Good News Translation, which uses indirect speech: “Caleb asked her what she wanted.” New International Version has “What can I do for you?” but this rendering does not seem to fit the context of a father-daughter exchange.

Some translation models for the last half of this verse are:

• She got down from her donkey and her father Caleb asked what she wanted.

• When she arrived there, she got off her donkey, and her father said, “Achsah, what do you want?”

Quoted with permission from Zogbo, Lynell and Ogden, Graham S. A Handbook on Judges. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .