And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjath-sepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.
He that smiteth Kirjath-sepher - or Kirjath-sannah (Joshua 15:9), afterward Debir. [Kirjath means a walled edifice or fortress of the Anakim placed upon a hill. Sepher denotes book, 'the city of book:' Septuagint, polis grammatoon.] It was a place of strength, requiring a bold and vigorous leader to attack it. This offer was made as an incentive to youthful bravery (see the note at 1 Samuel 17:25); and the prize was won by Othniel, son of Caleb's younger brother (Judges 1:13; Judges 3:9). This was the occasion of drawing out the latent energies of him who was destined to be the tint judge in Israel. In the East a father has the absolute right to dispose of his daughter as he pleases (1 Samuel 17:25). She is never consulted; and in most cases never sees her future husband until the marriage has been fixed for. Thus Achsah may have had no opportunity of conferring with Othniel until the moment of her departure.