The Word for Today with Ray

Monday, June 29, 2026

Caleb Giving His Daughter to Wife - Joshua 15:16

In the book of Joshua, we saw how Joshua, “unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, even the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron. And Caleb drove from there the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak. And he went up from there to the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of Debir before was Kirjathsepher.”, and in chapter fifteen and verse sixteen of Joshua we learn how Caleb said, “I give Achsah my daughter to wife” where we read,

And Caleb said, He that smites Kirjathsepher, and takes it,

to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.

The verse reads, “And Caleb said, He that smites Kirjathsepher, and takes it, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Caleb said” which means “and Caleb whose name means ‘dog’ and was the godly son of Jephunneh and the faithful spy who reported upon the Promised Land favorably and urged its capture, uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “he that smites Kirjathsepher” or “he, the person, who strikes, hits, beats, kills and subjugates Kirjathsepher or Kirjath-sepher or Kirjath-sannah whose name means ‘city of the book’ and was a town in the mountains of Judah to the west of Hebron,”,“and takes it” which means “and seizes, captures and occupies it, Kirjathsepher”, shall have the following happen to them. Joshua or the writer shared how “Caleb” declared that whoever strikes, subjugates and occupies “Kirjathsepher” will experience the following.

The verse goes on to say, “… to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “to him” which means “to him, the person who strikes and occupies Kirjathsepher” “will I give Achsah” or “shall I, Caleb, grant, bestow, entrust and commit Achsah whose name means ‘ankle chain or anklet’ and was the daughter of Caleb and wife of Caleb's nephew” “my daughter to wife” which means “my, Caleb’s, female offspring to be their spouse”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Caleb” promised to grant his female offspring whose name was “Ashsah” to be the “wife” of the person who conquered “Kirjathsepher”.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how “Caleb” made a promise to the person who defeated “Kirjathsepher”, and the reward for victory would be to receive his “daughter” as their “wife”. We shall see how this story continues in our next verses, but for now, let us be reminded that “Caleb” was purposed to receive all Jehovah God desired to give to him. God wants us to receive from Him, and when we put our faith and trust in His Son Jesus who was crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raise from the dead after three days as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and to empower us to live according to that truth so we too receive all that He desires to give us in this life and the next.

Next time Joshua or the writer shares about, “Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

To the Inhabitants of Debir - Joshua 15:15

In the book of Joshua, we see how Joshua, “unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, even the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron. And Caleb drove from there the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak”, and in chapter fifteen and verse fifteen of Joshua we learn how, “he went up from there to the inhabitants of Debir” where we read,

And he went up from there to the inhabitants of Debir:

and the name of Debir before was Kirjathsepher.

The verse reads, “And he went up from there to the inhabitants of Debir:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and he went up from there” which means “and he, Caleb, arose and ascended separate and apart from there, Hebron” “to the inhabitants” or “toward the dwellers, abiders and people who live” “of Debir” which means “belonging to Debir whose name means ‘sanctuary’ and was the king of Eglon and one of the five kings hanged by Joshua”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Caleb” arose from mount Hermon and ascended to the people who lived in “Debir”.

The verse continues, “and the name of Debir before was Kirjathsepher.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and the name of Debir” which means “and the reputation, fame and glory belonging to Debir whose name means ‘sanctuary’ and was the king of Eglon and one of the five kings hanged by Joshua” “before was Kirjathsepher” or “prior to and in advance of that time existed as Kirjathsepher or Kirjath-sepher or Kirjath-sannah whose name means ‘city of the book’ and was a town in the mountains of Judah to the west of Hebron”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Debir” prior to this time existed as “Kirjathsepher”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how “Caleb” continued to conquer the territory allotted to him by Jehovah God through “Joshua”. He ascended from “Hebron” to proceed toward the people who lived in “Debir” whose name was previously “Kirjathsepher”. We shall see how “Caleb” dispossess this area and was to raise his family there. God kept His promise to “Caleb”, and He will keep His promise to us as well when we surrender to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. As we yield to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and give us the ability to live in keeping with that truth so we too receive all the inheritance that He has allotted to us. (See John 16:13: Acts 1:8; Colossians 1:12)

Next time Joshua or the writer shares how Caleb says, “I give Achsah my daughter to wife”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Caleb Drives Out Three Sons - Joshua 15:14

In the book of Joshua, we see how Joshua, “unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, even the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron”, and in chapter fifteen and verse fourteen of Joshua we learn how, “Caleb drove from there the three sons of Anak” where we read,

And Caleb drove from there the three sons of Anak,

Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak.

The verse reads, “And Caleb drove from there the three sons of Anak, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Caleb” whose name means “dog” and was “the godly son of Jephunneh and the faithful spy who reported upon the Promised Land favorably and urged its capture” “drove from there” or “dispossessed, disinherited and took possession separate and apart from there, the city of Hebron” “the three sons” which means “the three male offspring” “of Anak” or “belonging to Anak whose name means ‘neck’ and was the male progenitor of a family or tribe of the giant people in Canaan”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Caleb” thrust out from Hebron the “three” male offspring belonging to “Anak”.

The verse goes on to say, “… Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “Sheshai” whose name means “noble”, “and Abiman” whose name means “my brother is a gift”, “and Talmai” whose name means “furrowed”, “the children of Anak” or “the offspring and progeny belonging to Anak whose name means ‘neck’ and was the progenitor of a family or tribe of the giant people in Canaan”. Joshua or the writer shared the names, “Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai” who were the male offspring of “Anak” that were driven out of Hebron by “Caleb”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we discover that “Caleb” not only received his mountain, “Hebron”, but he also defeated the giant foes who lived there. God provided this territory to “Caleb”, and He empowered him to conquer those who dwelt therein. God so loves people that He sent His Only Begotten Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of everyone, and He raised Him from the grave after three days so when we put our faith and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and empower us to live in a conquering manner that is pleasing to Him. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:37)

Next time Joshua or the writer shares how, “he went up from there to the inhabitants of Debir”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Caleb’s Part - Joshua 15:13

In the book of Joshua, we learned, “This then was the lot of the tribe of the children of Judah by their families” which included how, “the border went out unto the side of Ekron northward: and the border was drawn to Shicron, and passed along to mount Baalah, and went out unto Jabneel; and the goings out of the border were at the sea. And the west border was to the great sea, and the coast thereof. This is the coast of the children of Judah round about according to their families”, and in chapter fifteen and verse thirteen of Joshua we learn, “unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah” where we read,

And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, even the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron.

The verse reads, “And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and unto Caleb” which means “and to Caleb whose name means ‘dog’ and was the godly son of Jephunneh and the faithful spy who reported upon the Promised Land favorably and urged its capture” “the son of Jephunneh” or “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Jephunneh whose name means ‘he will be facing’ and was a Kenezite and father of Caleb the spy from the tribe of Judah” “he gave a part” which means “he, Joshua, granted, bestowed and assigned a portion and share” “among the children of Judah” or “in the midst of the offspring and progeny belonging to Judah whose name means ‘praised’ and was the tribe descended from Judah the son of Jacob”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” assigned to “Caleb” a portion in the midst of land given to the offspring of “Judah”.

The verse continues, “… according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, even the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “according to the commandment” which means “in keeping with the charge and order” “of the LORD” or “belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “to Joshua” whose name means “Jehovah is salvation”, “even the city of Arba” or “also and indeed the dwelling place or town belonging to Arba whose name means ‘four’” “the father of Anak” which means “the immediate male progenitor and ancestor belonging to Anak whose name means ‘neck’ and was the progenitor of a family, or tribe of the giant people in Canaan”, “which city is Hebron” or “that dwelling place or town existed as Hebron whose name means ‘association’ and was a city in south Judah approximately twenty miles south of Jerusalem and approximately twenty miles (30 km) north of Beersheba and near where Abraham built an altar”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” obeyed the charge given to him by Jehovah God and assigned to “Caleb” “Hebron” which was the dwelling place of “Arba” who was the immediate male progenitor of “Anak”.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how “Caleb” received his inheritance within the land provided to “Judah” in keeping with the charge given to “Joshua” by Jehovah God. (See Numbers 14:24; Deuteronomy 1:36) “Caleb” was granted his “mountain”, “Hebron”, and he defeated the giants who lived there to gain his inheritance. God is a faithful God, and we can rely upon Him to keep His promises. Jesus said, “for God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (See John 3:16), and when we submit ourselves to Jesus who died on the cross for our sins and was raised from the dead after three days, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and give us the ability to conquer whatever “giants” are before us and would prevent us from inheriting all He has for us. (See John 16:13; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:37-39)

Next time Joshua or the writer shares how, “Caleb drove from there the three sons of Anak”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

To the Great Sea and It’s Coast - Joshua 15:12

In the book of Joshua, we learned, “This then was the lot of the tribe of the children of Judah by their families” which included how, “the border went out unto the side of Ekron northward: and the border was drawn to Shicron, and passed along to mount Baalah, and went out unto Jabneel; and the goings out of the border were at the sea”, and in chapter fifteen and verse twelve of Joshua we learn how, “the west border was to the great sea, and the coast thereof” where we read,

And the west border was to the great sea, and the coast thereof.

This is the coast of the children of Judah round about according to their families.

The verse reads, “And the west border was to the great sea, and the coast thereof.” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and the west border” which means “and the edge, circuit and boundary in the western direction” “was to the great sea” or “existed to the massive and large body of water, the Mediterranean Sea”, “and the coast thereof” which means “and the edge or boundary of the Mediterranean Sea”. Joshua or the writer shared how the boundary in the western direction existed as the Mediterranean Sea and it’s seashore and edge.

The verse goes on to say, “This is the coast of the children of Judah round about according to their families.” Joshua or the writer continues the words, “this is the coast” which means “this, the seashore of the Mediterranean, existed as the edge, circuit and boundary” “of the children of Judah” or “belonging to the offspring and progeny belonging to Judah whose name means praised and was the tribe descended from Judah the son of Jacob” “round about” which means “compassing and encircling from every side” “according to their families” or “in keeping with their, the tribe of Judah’s, clan, people, tribe and nation”. Joshua or the writer shared how the seashore of the Mediterranean in the western direction existed as the boundary encircling the offspring and kindred of the “tribe of Judah” .

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how the boundary of the property assigned to the “tribe of Judah” on the western side existed as the Mediterranean Sea. All of the boundaries described were to encircle the “families” within the “tribe of Judah”, and they were to live out their lives within this promise land. God provided for them even as He promised, and He will do the same for us when we surrender to His Son Jesus who was sent into the world to be crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. God wants to forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and provide us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and give us the ability to live in a manner that is pleasing to Him wherever we are in the world.

Next time Joshua or the writer shares how, “unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

The Border to the Side of Ekron - Joshua 15:11

In the book of Joshua, we learned, “This then was the lot of the tribe of the children of Judah by their families” which included how, “the border went up by the valley of the son of Hinnom unto the south side of the Jebusite; the same is Jerusalem: and the border went up to the top of the mountain that lies before the valley of Hinnom westward, which is at the end of the valley of the giants northward. And the border was drawn from the top of the hill unto the fountain of the water of Nephtoah, and went out to the cities of mount Ephron; and the border was drawn to Baalah, which is Kirjathjearim. And the border compassed from Baalah westward unto mount Seir, and passed along unto the side of mount Jearim, which is Chesalon, on the north side, and went down to Bethshemesh, and passed on to Timnah”, and in chapter fifteen and verse eleven of Joshua we learn how, “the border went out unto the side of Ekron northward” where we read,

And the border went out unto the side of Ekron northward: and the border was drawn to Shicron, and passed along to mount Baalah, and went out unto Jabneel; and the goings out of the border were at the sea.

The verse reads, “And the border went out unto the side of Ekron northward: and the border was drawn to Shicron, and passed along to mount Baalah, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and the border” which means “and the edge, circuit and boundary” “went out unto the side” or “proceeded and extended to the edge or boundary” “of Ekron northward” which means “belonging to Ekron whose name means ‘emigration or torn up by the roots’ and was the most northerly of the five principal cities of the Philistines; located in the lowlands of Judah and later given to Dan”: “and the border” or “and to the edge, circuit and boundary” “was drawn to Shicron” which means “existed as delineated, extended, outlined and traced out to Shicron whose name means ‘drunkeness’ and was a landmark on the northwestern boundary of Judah lying between Ekron and Jabneel” “and passed along” or “and traversed, proceeded and went forth” “to mount Baalah” which means “toward the rising above the plain or hill known as Baalah whose name means ‘mistress’ and was a town in the south of Judah, also called Balah and Bilhah”. Joshua or the writer shared how the boundary of the land given to the “tribe of Judah” also proceeded toward the edge of “Ekron” in a northern direction, delineated to “Shicron” went forth to the rising of the plain known as “Baalah”.

The verse continues, “… and went out unto Jabneel; and the goings out of the border were at the sea.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and went out unto Jabneel” which means “and departed and proceeded toward Jabneel whose name means ‘God causes to build’ and was a town in Judah on the northern boundary near the sea”; “and the goings out” or “and the extremity, end and source” “of the border” which means “pertaining to the edge, circuit and boundary” “were at the sea” or “existed at the large body of water”. Joshua or the writer shared how the boundary of the land given to the “tribe of Judah” extended to “Jabneel” and was at the large body of water known as the Mediterranean Sea.

When we think through the words in this verse, we see more of the boundary lines provided to the “tribe of Judah” within the promise land. God gave the "tribe of Judah” their place to live, and they were to use that area to raise their families in the honor and admiration of Jehovah God who provided it to them. God loves people, and He provides for all of us. He gave His Only Begotten Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and He raised Him from the dead after three days so when we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and to empower us to live according to that truth in the location He has given to us in the world. (See John 16:!3; Acts 1:8; 17:28)

Next time Joshua or the writer shares how, “the west border was to the great sea, and the coast thereof”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

The Border From Balaah to Seirh - Joshua 15:10

In the book of Joshua, we learned, “This then was the lot of the tribe of the children of Judah by their families” which included how, “the border went up by the valley of the son of Hinnom unto the south side of the Jebusite; the same is Jerusalem: and the border went up to the top of the mountain that lies before the valley of Hinnom westward, which is at the end of the valley of the giants northward. And the border was drawn from the top of the hill unto the fountain of the water of Nephtoah, and went out to the cities of mount Ephron; and the border was drawn to Baalah, which is Kirjathjearim”, and in chapter fifteen and verse ten of Joshua we learn how, “the border compassed from Baalah westward unto mount Seirh” where we read,

And the border compassed from Baalah westward unto mount Seir, and passed along unto the side of mount Jearim, which is Chesalon, on the north side, and went down to Bethshemesh, and passed on to Timnah:

The verse reads, “And the border compassed from Baalah westward unto mount Seir, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and the border” which means “and the edge, circuit and boundary” “compassed from Baalah westward” or “encircled, surrounded and round about, separate and apart from Baalah whose name means ‘mistress’ and was a town in the south of Judah, also called Balah and Bilhah, in a western direction” “unto mount Seir” which means “to the rising above the plain or hill called Seir whose name means ‘hairy or shaggy’ and was the land of Edom, south of the Dead Sea”. Joshua or the writer shared how the boundary of the land given to the “tribe of Judah” also encircled apart from “Baalah” in a western direction toward the rising of the plain known as “Seir”.

The verse goes on to say, “… and passed along unto the side of mount Jearim, which is Chesalon, on the north side, and went down to Bethshemesh, and passed on to Timnah:” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and passed along” which means “and traversed, went forth and proceeded” “unto the side of mount Jearim” or “to the edge belonging to the rising above the plain or hill known as Jearim whose name means ‘forests’”, “which is Chesalon” which means “that exists as Cheslon whose name means ‘hopes’ and was a town of the northern border of Judah approximately ten miles west of Jerusalem”, “on the north side” or “upon the edge or border in the northern direction”, “and went down to Bethshemesh” which means “and descended and sunk down to Bethshemesh whose name means ‘house of the sun or sun-temple’ and was a town in southwest Judah”, “and passed on Timnah” or “and traversed, went forth and proceeded upon Timnah or Timnah or Thimnathah whose name means ‘portion’ and was a town on the northern boundary of Judah later assigned to Dan”. Joshua or the writer shared how the boundary belonging to the land assigned to the “tribe of Judah” proceeded to the edge of a rising above the plain known as “Jearim” or “Chesalon” in the northern direction and proceeded downward to “Bethshemesh: and toward “Timnah”.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn more about the “borders” of the land which was given to the “tribe of Judah”. Each of these boundaries were specifically drawn out, and the people of “Judah” would live within them. God fulfilled His word by providing for them, and He will fulfill His promise to every person who yields to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the dead after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, God’s promise is that He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and provide us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to that truth so we live in a manner that is pleasing to Him wherever we are in the world.

Next time Joshua or the writer says, “the border went out unto the side of Ekron northward”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…