Joshua 15 15

Joshua 15:15 kjv

And he went up thence to the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of Debir before was Kirjathsepher.

Joshua 15:15 nkjv

Then he went up from there to the inhabitants of Debir (formerly the name of Debir was Kirjath Sepher).

Joshua 15:15 niv

From there he marched against the people living in Debir (formerly called Kiriath Sepher).

Joshua 15:15 esv

And he went up from there against the inhabitants of Debir. Now the name of Debir formerly was Kiriath-sepher.

Joshua 15:15 nlt

From there he went to fight against the people living in the town of Debir (formerly called Kiriath-sepher).

Joshua 15 verses

Joshua 15 15 Meaning

This verse specifies one of the locations that Caleb and his forces, continuing their conquest of the promised land, went up against. It highlights the city of Debir, notably mentioning its prior name, Kiriath Sepher, which signifies a significant cultural and spiritual center. The verse acts as a bridge from the general mention of conquest to the specific account of its capture, serving as an important geographical and historical detail within Caleb’s inheritance narrative.

Joshua 15 15 Context

Joshua 15 details the tribal allocation of land for Judah, the largest tribe. This specific chapter meticulously outlines Judah's boundaries, followed by an account of its key settlements and initial conquests. Verse 15 directly follows Caleb's successful driving out of the Anakim from Hebron, a formidable task he undertook due to his exceptional faith and divine promise (Josh 14:12-15). It then transitions to the conquest of Debir, presented as an extension of Caleb's sphere of influence and commitment to completely dispossess the inhabitants of his allocated inheritance. Historically, this event occurred during the initial phase of the Israelite conquest of Canaan, after major military campaigns but before full consolidation of the land.

Joshua 15 15 Word analysis

• From there: This phrase links back to the preceding verses (Josh 15:13-14), indicating a continuation of Caleb's efforts and success in dispossessing the Anakim from Hebron and its surrounding hill country. It emphasizes the strategic and progressive nature of the conquest.
• he went up: Implies an active, deliberate military campaign. The phrase often denotes ascending geographically, as cities in ancient Canaan were frequently built on higher ground for defense, reinforcing the arduous nature of the task.
• against the inhabitants of Debir: "Inhabitants" (יֹשְׁבֵי, yoshvei) highlights the human adversaries occupying the city, not just the city itself. "Debir" (דְּבִיר, Dĕvîr) is a significant city name. Its Hebrew root suggests "back," "inner sanctuary," or "oracle," aligning it with a potential cultic or administrative center, specifically referencing the innermost, sacred part of the Tabernacle and later Temple (1 Kgs 6:5). This later Hebrew name might reflect its historical function or even a prophetic judgment.
• now the name of Debir before was Kiriath Sepher: This explanatory clause provides crucial historical and symbolic depth.
  • before: (לְפָנִים, lěfānîm) meaning "formerly," "previously," indicating an older name for the city.
  • Kiriath Sepher: (קִרְיַת סֵפֶר, Kiriyat Sepher).
    • Kiriath: (קִרְיַת, Qiryat) means "city of."
    • Sepher: (סֵפֶר, Sēper) means "book," "scroll," "writing," "scribe."
    This name, "City of the Book" or "City of Scribes," is profoundly significant. It strongly suggests Debir was a pre-Israelite center of learning, wisdom, record-keeping, legal decrees, or perhaps even magical/religious texts of the Canaanites. Its capture symbolizes the triumph of God's revealed truth and covenant law over pagan knowledge, idolatry, and false wisdom prevalent in Canaanite society. This city, perhaps a storehouse of idolatrous knowledge or Canaanite history, represents a stronghold of opposing spiritual forces.
• From there he went up against the inhabitants: This phrase marks Caleb's determined pursuit of fully conquering the territory assigned to him, pushing beyond the initial successful expulsion of the Anakim from Hebron. It signifies continuous effort and obedience in fulfilling God's command to possess the land.
• the name of Debir before was Kiriath Sepher: This particular group of words emphasizes a crucial name change and identity shift. The transition from "City of the Book" (Canaanite wisdom/culture) to "Debir" (inner sanctuary, perhaps foreshadowing Israel's sacred space, or merely its new designation by the Israelites) underscores the change in ownership and religious allegiance. The overthrow of Kiriath Sepher was a symbolic victory over pagan wisdom, contrasting it with the divine revelation embodied in Israel's law. It also highlights the strategic importance of capturing not just a physical location but a center of enemy culture and ideology.

Joshua 15 15 Bonus section

• Significance of the Name Change: The dual name—Debir and Kiriath Sepher—might signify a reinterpretation or renaming of a Canaanite center by the Israelites, possibly implying its dedication (or rather, repurposing) after its conquest, much like Bethel (house of God) from Luz. The fact that the conquering Israelites saw fit to preserve and record its older name ("City of the Book") suggests its pre-eminent status among Canaanite cities, making its conquest even more symbolically weighty.
• Othniel's Role: While Josh 15:15 mentions Caleb going up, the subsequent verses (15:16-17, paralleled in Judg 1:11-13) reveal that Caleb promised his daughter Achsah in marriage to whoever conquered Debir. His nephew, Othniel (the first judge of Israel), ultimately captured it. This shows Caleb's leadership in challenging his people to claim the inheritance, illustrating the principle of active participation in fulfilling divine promises.
• Cultural Hub: If Kiriath Sepher was truly a "City of Books," it might have served as a repository for Cuneiform tablets or ancient administrative records. Its capture would thus represent a major disruption to Canaanite societal structure and intellectual tradition, making a clear statement about the dominance of God’s Word over any other form of wisdom or governance in the Promised Land. This victory reinforced the exclusivity and supremacy of the God of Israel.

Joshua 15 15 Commentary

Joshua 15:15 is a concise but potent verse describing Caleb’s continued and successful effort in conquering his inheritance. It unveils Debir, previously known as Kiriath Sepher, as a key strategic target. The renaming itself speaks volumes: the "City of the Book" or "City of Scribes" strongly implies a significant Canaanite cultural and intellectual center, possibly housing idolatrous texts or governmental archives. Its capture by Israel, particularly under Caleb’s faithful leadership, signifies more than just a territorial gain. It represents a divine overthrow of pagan knowledge, wisdom, and practices in favor of Yahweh's covenant truth. This conquest was a demonstration of God's power prevailing over the seemingly advanced but ultimately futile wisdom of the Canaanites, ensuring that the new residents would live by God's Law rather than pagan traditions.