OET interlinear JOS 15:18

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: writing-background

וַ⁠יְהִ֣י

and=he/it_was

The author is using this phrase to introduce background information that is not part of the main narrative. In your translation, introduce this information in a way that would be natural in your own language and culture.

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

בְּ⁠בוֹאָ֗⁠הּ

in/on/at/with,came,she

The author assumes that his readers will understand what he means by this phrase. This could mean: (1) that Aksah came to Kiriath Sepher in order to marry Othniel and that she made this request when she arrived and saw the land that Caleb had given to him. Alternate translation: “when Aksah arrived at Kiriath Sepher” (2) that the author is using this expression to describe Aksah entering Othniel’s household as his wife. Alternate translation: “once Aksah had married Othniel”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

וַ⁠תְּסִיתֵ֨⁠הוּ֙ לִ⁠שְׁא֤וֹל שָׂדֶ֔ה

and,urged,him to,ask (Some words not found in UHB: and=he/it_was in/on/at/with,came,she and,urged,him to,ask from, father,her field and,dismounted from=under the,donkey and=he/it_said to/for=her/it Kālēⱱ what? for,you )

The author is leaving implicit who was to make this request. The meaning does not seem to be that Aksah persuaded Othniel that he should request this field from Caleb, since he is not the one who asks; she is. In this culture, a young man such as Othniel may not have had the standing to make this kind of request from a leader such as Caleb. So the meaning seems to be that Aksah persuaded Othniel that she should ask for the field. In this culture, a daughter may have been able to make such a request of her father. Alternate translation: “that she persuaded him to allow her to request the field”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

מֵֽ⁠אֵת אָבִ֨י⁠הָ֙ שָׂדֶ֔ה

from, father,her field

The author has a particular field in view. The narrative suggests implicitly that Caleb had given some land to Othniel but that it was arid territory. It suggests further that near this land, there was some ground that was suitable for cultivation because it was watered by springs. You could state this information explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “from her father some land that was nearby the land that he had already given to Othniel and that was watered by springs and so could be cultivated”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / ellipsis

מַה לָּֽ⁠ךְ

what? for,you

Caleb is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “What would you like me to do for you?”