What does Judges 1:12 mean?

This segment repeats the story from Joshua 15:15–19. It may be that the writer includes it to complete the record of Judah's conquering the people within the borders of their territory. For modern readers, it also creates some confusion about the order in which the events of this chapter took place. Ancient writers were more interested in themes than strict timelines, however. In this case, the precise historical order doesn't change the point of the passage.

Caleb has already defeated three descendants of Anak to claim his inheritance of the city of Hebron. Debir, also known as Kiriath-sepher, may be near enough to Hebron to be part of Caleb's inheritance, as well. Its inhabitants must likewise be defeated before Caleb can claim it.

Caleb aims to resolve two needs with a single proposition. He has a city that needs conquering and a single daughter of marrying age. He announces that whoever captures the city will receive his daughter Achsah for a wife. Consistently with ancient views of marriage as a social and economic contract, not necessarily a question of love, fathers reserved the right to marry their daughters to whomever they chose. We're not told Achsah's feelings about being the prize in this contest. She is, however, portrayed as both bold and respectful of her father in the following verses.