Standing Tall

Joshua Chapter 15, the Strange and the Spectacular

Vital Stats:

Verses: 63(!!!!)

Is It Read At Synagogue?: In a Byzantine Empire-era custom, this chapter was chanted through Verse 6 (preceded by Verses 6-15 of the previous chapter) as the Haftarah for the Torah portion of Vayigash, the second-to-last portion in Genesis.

Famous Quotes/Phrases: There really isn’t a famous quote to be found here, but it’s noteworthy that this chapter reflects the Bible’s affection for describing the borders of territories in great detail. It’s one reason that the Hebrew Bible is much more than a storybook or a book of law — there are also lists, which don’t always make for riveting reading, but provide a vital snapshot of the ancient Israelite world.

Basic Plot: There are actually two plot points interspersed in this chapter of lists. The more prominent anecdote involves Caleb, who follows through on his request to dispossess the Anakites from his apportioned territory. Midway through this conquest, he offers a challenge to another warrior: conquer the area of Kiriat-Sefer, and receive Caleb’s daughter Achash as a wife. A Kenizzite named Otniel (we’ll hear from him again later in the Hebrew Bible) steps up to win on the battlefield. But Achash isn’t a mere pawn in Caleb’s contest; once Otniel succeeds, she demands to be gifted a portion of land that she and her new husband can call their own. Caleb honors her request.

And then, in the chapter’s final verse, we learn, almost as a postscript, that the tribe of Judah is not able to dispossess the Jebusites. So much for the total victory the Israelites claim in previous chapters.

What’s Strange: Achash’s request to her father includes a curious phrase: “You have given me away as Negev-land; so give me springs of water.” This is a bold statement, one that ought to be applauded for her honesty. You may already know that “Negev” refers to the southern part of the Promised Land, which is known for its desert-like habitat. It feels like Achash is saying, “Dad, you gave me away to a fate that’s nothing but barren, so I need something far more fruitful if I’m going to be happy.”

According to the Talmudic tractate known as Temurah, Achash is not actually insulting her husband, but by calling Otniel “dry”, she’s saying that he’s only focused on dedication to the Torah and not interested in the temptations of the world. I’m skeptical of this explanation; it feels more likely that Achash wishes for at least some sort of reward for being treated like a pawn in a contest.

What’s Spectacular: This is far from the only time in the Hebrew Bible when a father seems fine with his daughter as a prize of some sort. Two examples come to mind. In the book of Genesis, when Lot is threatened by an angry mob at his home in the evil town of Sodom, he nudges his attackers to sleep with his two virgin daughters rather than the men visiting his house. And in the biblical book that follows Joshua, Judges, Yiftach vows that he’ll sacrifice to God the first being that leaves his house if only God delivers the Israelites in battle; when his daughter turns out to be that being, Yiftach fulfills his vow without complaint.

Those two examples are awful, no matter how you slice it. And I recognize that I’m looking at this episode with Caleb and Achash with modern eyes, but I can’t help but think that Achash is an underrated heroine. Honestly, I don’t even remember learning about this brief episode in the past. But maybe more people should know about it. In a few brief verses, Achash declares that she shouldn’t be simply seen as a successor to Lot’s daughters or Yiftach’s daughter. The Hebrew Bible is filled with women who are heard from all too infrequently, but Achash represents a refreshing example of someone whose few words go a long way.

Shabbat Shalom!