עַכְסָה
Aksah, an Israelitess
Definition
Achsah (עַכְסָה) is the proper name of a significant Israelite woman, the daughter of Caleb and wife of Othniel. She is best known for her bold request to her father for additional land with water sources, specifically 'the upper springs and the lower springs' (Joshua 15:19, Judges 1:15). This name is consistently used as a personal identifier across the historical books, with no variation in its meaning or application. Her story is recorded in Joshua 15:16-19, Judges 1:12-15, and she is listed in the genealogy of Judah in 1 Chronicles 2:49.
Biblical Usage
The name Achsah appears exclusively in historical narratives and a genealogical list. It is used in the context of inheritance, marriage, and land negotiation. In Joshua 15:16-19 and Judges 1:12-15, the narrative focuses on her marriage to Othniel as a reward for military conquest and her proactive request for arable land. In 1 Chronicles 2:49, she is mentioned only as Caleb's daughter within a genealogical record.
Etymology
The name Achsah is the feminine form of the Hebrew noun עֶכֶס (ʿekes, H5914), which means 'anklet' or 'bangle.' It is derived from a root suggesting something that encircles or adorns. As a personal name, it likely carried a positive connotation of beauty or ornamentation, a common practice in Hebrew naming.
Semantic Range
Achsah's story provides a notable example of female agency and wisdom within the biblical narrative of land allocation. Her initiative in securing vital water resources highlights the practical importance of the promised land's fertility for sustaining life and inheritance. Understanding her name's connection to 'ornament' can enrich the reading by contrasting her seemingly decorative name with her substantive and proactive character, demonstrating that God works through individuals of all statuses to fulfill His promises.
In ancient Israelite culture, names were often meaningful and descriptive. Naming a daughter 'Anklet' likely reflected a value placed on beauty and adornment. More significantly, Achsah's action of requesting land from her father was a culturally assertive move. As a woman in a patriarchal society, her successful petition underscores that daughters could have a recognized stake in family inheritance and that wisdom and initiative were valued traits.
There are no direct synonyms for this proper name. Related are terms for women or daughters in general, such as בַּת (bat, H1323) — daughter, or אִשָּׁה (ʾishshah, H802) — woman/wife.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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