Judges 1:11 kjv
And from thence he went against the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of Debir before was Kirjathsepher:
Judges 1:11 nkjv
From there they went against the inhabitants of Debir. (The name of Debir was formerly Kirjath Sepher.)
Judges 1:11 niv
From there they advanced against the people living in Debir (formerly called Kiriath Sepher).
Judges 1:11 esv
From there they went against the inhabitants of Debir. The name of Debir was formerly Kiriath-sepher.
Judges 1:11 nlt
From there they went to fight against the people living in the town of Debir (formerly called Kiriath-sepher).
Judges 1 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Josh 14:6-15 | Then the children of Judah drew nigh... Caleb said unto him... Give me this mountain... And Caleb blessed him, and gave him Hebron... and he expelled thence the three sons of Anak. | Caleb's request for Hebron, the source of his current position to attack Debir. |
| Josh 15:15-19 | And from thence he went up against the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of Debir before was Kirjathsepher... And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife... | The most direct parallel, almost identical account, linking it to Othniel and Achsah. |
| Num 14:24 | But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it. | God's promise to Caleb for his faithfulness, now being fulfilled. |
| Deut 1:36 | Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh; he shall see it, and to him will I give the land that he hath trodden upon, and to his children, because he hath wholly followed the LORD. | Further emphasis on Caleb's full obedience and God's resultant promise. |
| Josh 11:21-22 | And at that time came Joshua, and cut off the Anakims from the mountains, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the mountains of Judah, and from all the mountains of Israel: Joshua destroyed them utterly with their cities. There was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of Israel: only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, there remained. | Shows an earlier, initial conquest by Joshua; implies partial reoccupation or a continued threat. |
| Josh 12:13 | the king of Debir, one; | Listed among the thirty-one kings defeated by Joshua, suggesting previous encounter. |
| Josh 10:38-39 | And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir; and fought against it: And he took it, and the king thereof, and all the cities thereof; and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed all the souls that were therein; he left none remaining: as he had done to Hebron, so he did to Debir, and as he had done also to Libnah, and to her king. | Detailed account of Joshua's initial complete destruction of Debir. This further underscores the re-establishment of the Canaanites, necessitating Caleb's subsequent actions. |
| Josh 21:15 | And Libnah with her suburbs, and Jattir with her suburbs, and Eshtemoa with her suburbs, Holon with her suburbs, Debir with her suburbs; | Debir designated as a city for the Levites after the conquest, indicating its future importance and resettlement. |
| Gen 12:7 | And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him. | The foundational promise of land to Abraham's descendants, which Caleb is helping to fulfill. |
| Deut 9:1-3 | Hear, O Israel: Thou art to pass over Jordan this day... to possess nations greater and mightier than thyself... Understand therefore this day, that the LORD thy God is He which goeth over before thee... | Reminder that the conquest is God's work, fulfilled through faithful individuals like Caleb. |
| Ps 44:3 | For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them. | Acknowledges divine favor as the true source of conquest and inheritance, exemplified by Caleb's success. |
| Prov 13:4 | The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. | Caleb's diligence in claiming his inheritance contrasts with potential sluggishness. |
| Heb 11:8 | By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. | Illustrates the faith required for entering and possessing promised land. |
| Heb 11:33 | Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, | Highlights faith as the means by which heroes of faith, like Caleb, subdued kingdoms. |
| Jas 2:22 | Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? | Caleb's actions against Debir demonstrate faith expressed through diligent works. |
| 1 Pet 1:7 | That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: | Caleb's perseverance through the decades shows a tested and precious faith. |
| Phil 4:13 | I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. | Reflects the strength from God that enables believers, like Caleb, to accomplish seemingly difficult tasks. |
| 2 Cor 10:4 | (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) | Spiritual parallel to taking "strongholds," emphasizing divine power in overcoming obstacles. |
| Eph 6:12 | For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. | A New Testament application: Christians face spiritual strongholds analogous to the physical strongholds Caleb conquered. |
| Eph 6:10-11 | Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. | The call to be strong in the Lord, paralleling Caleb's reliance on divine strength. |
| Jer 32:20-21 | Which hast set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt... and hast brought forth thy people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs, and with wonders, and with a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with great terror; And hast given them this land, which thou didst swear to their fathers to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey; | Recalls God's power in delivering and establishing Israel in the promised land, validating Caleb's efforts. |
| Ps 78:55 | He cast out the heathen also before them, and divided them an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents. | Divine action in dispossessing the inhabitants and granting inheritance, of which Caleb's acts are a part. |
Judges 1 verses
Judges 1 11 Meaning
This verse details Caleb's further military action after securing Hebron, specifically targeting Debir. It emphasizes the historical identity of this city by also mentioning its older name, Kirjathsepher. The primary purpose is to highlight the continued efforts in the conquest of Canaan, showcasing Caleb's faithful commitment to occupying the land promised by God, a task which extended beyond the initial campaign led by Joshua.
Judges 1 11 Context
Judges 1 sets the stage for the book by detailing the post-Joshua efforts of the Israelite tribes to complete the conquest and occupy their allocated inheritances. Following Joshua's death (Judg 1:1), the tribe of Judah, divinely chosen to go first, seeks the help of Simeon. Their initial success includes capturing Jerusalem and other cities. Judges 1:10, immediately preceding this verse, details Judah's defeat of the Anakim in Hebron (formerly Kirjath-arba) and Caleb's personal role in it, leading directly into his continued campaign against Debir in verse 11. Historically, the period after Joshua's primary campaigns was characterized by a less unified effort, with individual tribes or leaders undertaking the task of dispossessing the remaining Canaanites. This verse therefore exemplifies an individual, Caleb, continuing in faith to fulfill God's command and claim the promised land, even when larger, national efforts might have waned or faced challenges. It reveals the often complex reality of the conquest: some areas required repeated campaigns because enemies reoccupied strongholds, or previous conquests were incomplete.
Judges 1 11 Word analysis
- And from thence: Hebrew: וּמִשָּׁ֥ם (u-mishsham). "From there" or "from that place." This refers to Hebron, which Caleb had just conquered as described in Judges 1:10. It establishes a clear geographical progression of Caleb's campaign.
- he went against: Hebrew: וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ אֶל־ (vayyelekh el). "And he went to/against." The subject "he" refers to Caleb, carried over from the preceding verse. The phrase signifies a military movement with an objective, a purposeful advance.
- the inhabitants: Hebrew: יֹשְׁבֵ֣י (yoshevei). "Dwellers" or "residents." This emphasizes that the target was not merely an empty city, but a populated place, meaning the conquest involved dispossessing its current residents as commanded by God.
- of Debir: Hebrew: דְּבִ֖יר (Devir). The name of a significant city in the hill country of Judah, west of Hebron. Its Hebrew name "Debir" means "back," "behind," or "inner sanctuary/adytum," perhaps referring to the inner chamber of a temple or indicating its remote location. This name hints at a potential religious or scholarly significance of the site, making its conquest noteworthy.
- and the name of Debir before was: Hebrew: וְשֵׁם־דְּבִ֥יר לְפָנִ֖ים (ve-shem-devir lefanim). "And the name of Debir formerly was." This clause provides vital geographical and historical information. "Lefanim" (לְפָנִ֑ים) means "formerly," "before," or "in earlier times." It signifies an older or traditional name for the city, likely its Canaanite designation or a name it held prior to the Israelites' more direct naming convention. This change of name reflects a shift in ownership and cultural dominance.
- Kirjathsepher: Hebrew: קִרְיַת־סֵֽפֶר (Qiryat-Sepher). Literally "City of the Book" or "City of Scribe/Letter." This name is highly significant. It suggests Debir was a center of learning, administrative records, ancient archives, or possibly even the repository for religious texts, perhaps even pagan rituals. Such a center would have been strategically and culturally important for the Canaanites and thus a key target for the Israelites.
- "And from thence he went against the inhabitants of Debir": This phrase highlights Caleb's immediate progression in his military campaign after conquering Hebron. It indicates a strategic move further into the allotted territory, specifically targeting the strongholds that needed to be fully secured. The personal agency of "he went" (Caleb) emphasizes individual faithfulness and leadership in carrying out the command to dispossess the inhabitants, which aligns with God's ongoing purpose for His people to possess the land.
- "and the name of Debir before was Kirjathsepher": This entire clause provides critical background and historical detail. The mention of its former name, Kirjathsepher (City of the Book), underscores the city's unique cultural or administrative significance in Canaanite society. Its conquest was therefore not just military but also symbolically the dismantling of a pagan cultural center. The shift in naming marks the transition from Canaanite control to Israelite possession, reflecting a transformation under divine mandate. This specific detail found both here and in Joshua underscores its importance in the ancient record.
Judges 1 11 Bonus section
The double naming of the city (Debir/Kirjathsepher) in both Judges 1 and Joshua 15 is notable. Scholars suggest that "Kirjathsepher" ("City of the Book") was its ancient Canaanite name, perhaps reflecting its identity as a scribal center, a place of records, or even the central depository for Canaanite religious and historical documents. "Debir" could have been a later, more common designation or possibly the Hebrew renaming upon its occupation, perhaps related to the "oracle" or "holy of holies" concept given its likely role as a religious center. The archaeological evidence suggests Debir (identified as Tel Beit Mirsim) was indeed a significant city, strategically located, supporting the biblical narrative of its importance as a conquest target. This persistent dual naming emphasizes the precise historical memory preserved within the biblical record regarding the specific characteristics of the places Israel conquered. It wasn't just nameless land; it was land with specific cultures and identities that were directly confronted and ultimately overcome by the people of God.
Judges 1 11 Commentary
Judges 1:11 serves as a precise, yet vital, note in the record of Israel's conquest. It follows Caleb's successful capture of Hebron, emphasizing his ongoing zeal in fulfilling the divine mandate and claiming his promised inheritance. The immediate transition "from thence he went against Debir" speaks volumes about Caleb's initiative and commitment. Unlike some tribes who might have settled after initial victories or failed to press on, Caleb demonstrates a sustained resolve to drive out the inhabitants.
The specific mention of Debir's former name, Kirjathsepher (City of the Book), adds layers of meaning. This city was not merely another fortified stronghold; it likely held intellectual, religious, or administrative significance for the Canaanites, possibly containing their archives, sacred texts, or scribal schools. Its conquest, therefore, was not only military but also represented the overthrow of a knowledge center of the old pagan order, making way for the divine law and truth. The detail about Debir having been previously conquered by Joshua (as recorded in Joshua 10 and 11) but needing re-conquest by Caleb signifies the dynamic and often incomplete nature of the early stages of Israel's settlement. Canaanites likely reoccupied strategic locations, requiring continued vigilance and persistent effort from the Israelites. This highlights that obedience and effort were ongoing, not one-time events.
Practical Examples:
- Perseverance: Just as Caleb continued his efforts, believers are called to persevere in their spiritual battles and callings, not stopping after initial victories.
- Completing the task: The verse reminds us to follow through on our commitments to God, whether it's battling sin, spreading the Gospel, or walking in holiness, not leaving areas unaddressed.
- Dismantling strongholds: For the believer, "Kirjathsepher" can symbolize intellectual or cultural strongholds in society, or even within our own minds, that need to be brought under the authority of Christ.