Joshua 15:19 - She said, “Give me a blessing. Because you have set me in the land of the South, give me also springs of water.” So he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.

Generated Verse: Joshua 15:19

What does "Joshua 15:19" mean?


This verse comes from the story of Achsah, the daughter of Caleb, a prominent figure in the Israelite conquest of Canaan. Let's break down the meaning:

"She said, “Give me a blessing. Because you have set me in the land of the South, give me also springs of water.”
"Give me a blessing": This is a request for something beneficial. Achsah is asking her father, Caleb, for something to improve her situation.
"Because you have set me in the land of the South": Achsah is acknowledging that her father has already given her land in the Negev, which is a dry and arid region in southern Canaan. This likely means Caleb gave her land as part of a dowry when she married Othniel (as described in Joshua 15:16-19 and Judges 1:12-15).
"Give me also springs of water": The land in the South, while potentially valuable for grazing or other uses, was limited by the scarcity of water. Achsah recognizes this limitation and asks for water sources to make the land more productive and habitable. Water was a vital resource for survival, agriculture, and livestock.

"So he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs."
This simply states that Caleb granted Achsah's request. He provided her with both an upper and lower spring. These springs would likely have been sources of fresh water that flowed at different elevations, providing a more reliable and plentiful water supply for her and her family.

Interpretation & Significance:

Achsah's Proactiveness: The verse highlights Achsah's proactive nature. She wasn't content with simply accepting the land she was given. She understood its limitations and boldly asked for what she needed to make it truly valuable.
Importance of Water: The passage underscores the crucial importance of water in the arid environment of Canaan. Water meant life, prosperity, and the ability to thrive.
Caleb's Generosity: Caleb's willingness to grant Achsah's request shows his generosity and love for his daughter. He understood the importance of water and willingly provided it to ensure her well-being.
Resourcefulness and Blessing: Achsah's story serves as an example of resourcefulness and the importance of seeking God's blessing in all areas of life. She recognized a need and took the initiative to address it.

In short, the verse tells the story of a woman who recognized the limitations of her land inheritance and asked her father for the crucial resource of water to make it more prosperous. It highlights the importance of water in ancient Canaan and the blessings that come from both recognizing needs and taking the initiative to seek solutions.

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