The Caleb-Achsah Episode: Judges 1:10-15

de Vos, J Cornelis

Abstract

J. Cornelis de Vos, in “The Caleb-Achsah Episode: Judges 1:10–15,” explores the intertextual relationships between Judg 1:10–15, its parallel in Josh 15:13–19, and the David-Abigail narrative in 1 Sam 25. After demonstrating that the episode in Judg 1 is the latest, de Vos proposes that the authors of Judges adapted the earlier Josh 15 story of Caleb, Achsah, and Othniel and then added it to the beginning of Judges in order to reinforce the Davidic-Judahite predilection of their (likely postexilic) edition. The most obvious edit is the transformation of Caleb’s inheritance of Hebron into Judah’s conquest of the city instead (Josh 15:13; Judg 1:10). Something more difficult to explain is why they would keep the Caleb-Achsah narrative despite the contradictions that result. Perhaps their overriding purpose was to connect two assertive donkey-riding wives of Calebites, Achsah and Abigail. The intertextual link would draw attention not only to shrewd females (which may or may not have been humorous to a contemporary audience), but also to a shrewd king—David, the Judahite. Ultimately, we cannot know the intentions of the authors, but the intertextual play is undoubtedly entertaining.