עַכְסָה (akh.sah)
akh.sah
Achsah
N:N-F-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-F-P
Word Overview
The name Achsah, meaning "ankle chain" or "anklet," belongs to a woman featured in the books of Joshua and 1 Chronicles. She is identified as the daughter of Caleb and the wife of Othniel, who would become Israel’s first judge. The sources note her presence in the tribal records of Judah, linking her to a large family that includes figures like Hur and Jesher.
Her most notable moment occurs in Joshua 15:16-19, where she acts with initiative after her marriage. When Othniel captures the city of Debir, Caleb offers Achsah as a reward for his victory. Later, when Achsah dismounts from her donkey, she asks her father for land, specifically requesting springs of water in the arid Negev region. This request highlights her practical concern for sustaining life in a difficult environment.
The meaning of her name adds a layer of significance to this narrative. An ankle chain is an ornament that signifies status and belonging, yet it also restricts movement. Achsah’s story moves beyond passive reception; she actively seeks the resources needed for fertility and survival. Her request for water transforms the gift of land into a place where life can flourish, marking her as a pivotal figure in the settlement of Judah.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Achsah means "anklet," a small piece of jewelry that marks belonging and status. In the biblical narrative, this woman is not merely a passive prize given to her husband Othniel for his military victory. Instead, she steps forward with quiet courage after her marriage to ask her father Caleb for something vital: springs of water in the dry land of Judah.
Her request shows that faith involves practical wisdom. While God provided the land, Achsah understood that life requires more than territory; it needs sustenance. She did not wait for resources to appear but actively sought the means for her household to thrive. This story reminds us that seeking God’s provision often includes taking thoughtful steps to care for our own needs and those around us.
When we face difficult seasons, we can look to Achsah as an example of faithful initiative. She trusted in God’s promise of land but also asked for the water necessary to make it fruitful. May we too approach God with honest requests, trusting that He cares about both our spiritual inheritance and our daily sustenance.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Achsah5×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עַכְסָ֥ה4×
- עַכְסָֽה\׃\ \ס1×
Key Verses
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Joshua 15:16
Caleb said, “He who strikes Kiriath Sepher, and takes it, to him I will give Achsah my daughter as wife.”
This verse establishes the context of Caleb’s promise, setting the stage for Achsah’s role in the settlement of Judah.
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Joshua 15:17
Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter as wife.
The marriage is formalized here, linking Othniel to Caleb’s family and highlighting Achsah’s position within it.
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Judges 1:12
Caleb said, “I will give Achsah my daughter as wife to the man who strikes Kiriath Sepher, and takes it.”
This repetition of the promise emphasizes the importance of the reward and Achsah’s value in the tribal narrative.
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I Chronicles 2:49
She bore also Shaaph the father of Madmannah, Sheva the father of Machbena and the father of Gibea; and the daughter of Caleb was Achsah.
This genealogical record confirms her identity as Caleb’s daughter, anchoring her story in the broader lineage of Israel.