Joshua 15:15

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And he went up {H5927} thence to the inhabitants {H3427} of Debir {H1688}: and the name {H8034} of Debir {H1688} before {H6440} was Kirjathsepher {H7158}.

Complete Jewish Bible

From there he went up to fight the inhabitants of D'vir (D'vir was formerly called Kiryat-Sefer).

Berean Standard Bible

From there he marched against the inhabitants of Debir (formerly known as Kiriath-sepher).

American Standard Version

And he went up thence against the inhabitants of Debir: now the name of Debir beforetime was Kiriath-sepher.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 15:15 provides a concise yet pivotal detail within the extensive account of Judah's tribal inheritance and the ongoing conquest of Canaan. This verse introduces the city of Debir, previously known as Kirjathsepher, setting the stage for the heroic act of Othniel, who, by conquering this significant stronghold, demonstrates the continued faith and effort required to fully possess the Promised Land. It highlights the transition of control over a key Canaanite center to the Israelites, symbolizing the displacement of pagan influence by God's people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 15:15 is embedded within the meticulous description of the land allotted to the tribe of Judah, which spans the entirety of [Joshua 15](/joshua/15 "Joshua 15 - The Inheritance of Judah"). Following the general overview of Judah's borders, the chapter details specific cities and regions. This particular verse serves as an immediate prelude to the narrative of Caleb's challenge and Othniel's response in [Joshua 15:16-19](/joshua/15-16 "Joshua 15:16-19 - Caleb's Challenge and Othniel's Reward"). It also finds a parallel account in [Judges 1:11-15](/judges/1-11 "Judges 1:11-15 - Othniel's Conquest of Debir"), reinforcing its historical significance and Othniel's role as an early deliverer in Israel. The verse's brevity belies its importance in establishing the setting for a crucial act of faith and military success by an individual within the larger tribal allocation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period described in Joshua is one of transition, where the Israelites are moving from nomadic wanderers to settled inhabitants of the land God promised their ancestors. While major campaigns led by Joshua had broken the back of Canaanite resistance, many fortified city-states, like Debir, remained strongholds that required individual tribal or clan efforts to subdue. Debir was located in the hill country of Judah, southwest of Hebron, making its capture strategically vital for securing the southern territories. The former name, Kirjathsepher, meaning "city of the book" or "city of the scribe," is particularly telling. It suggests that Debir was not merely a military outpost but likely a significant cultural, administrative, or even religious center for the Canaanites, possibly housing archives, libraries, or scribal schools. Its conquest, therefore, represented not just a military victory but also the symbolic dismantling of a center of Canaanite knowledge, idolatry, and influence.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, though brief, contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Joshua and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Conquest and Inheritance**, demonstrating the ongoing, often challenging, process of Israel taking possession of their divine inheritance. Even after initial victories, the full realization of God's promise required persistent effort, as seen in [Joshua 13:1](/joshua/13-1 "Joshua 13:1 - Much Land Remains to Be Possessed"). Secondly, it highlights **Faithful Initiative and Obedience**. While the land was promised, its actual possession demanded courageous action from individuals and tribes, as exemplified by Othniel's willingness to "go up" and conquer Debir, aligning with God's command to drive out the inhabitants (e.g., [Deuteronomy 7:2](/deuteronomy/7-2 "Deuteronomy 7:2 - Command to Utterly Destroy")). Finally, the capture of Debir, a formidable "city of the book," symbolizes **Overcoming Strongholds**—not just physical fortresses, but also centers of pagan wisdom and influence that stood against God's purposes. This foreshadows the spiritual battles believers face, as described in [Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Spiritual Warfare").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Debir (Hebrew, _Dəvîr'_):** This name, meaning "back" or "inner sanctuary," is intriguing. In biblical architecture, the "debir" refers to the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle and temple, the innermost and most sacred part. While its application to a Canaanite city might be coincidental or refer to its geographical position (at the "back" of the hill country), some scholars suggest it could imply a significant religious or cultic center for the Canaanites, making its conquest even more symbolically potent as the overthrow of a pagan "sanctuary."
* **Kirjathsepher (Hebrew, _Qiryat Sepher'_):** This compound Hebrew name literally translates to "city of the book" or "city of the scribe." This unique designation strongly suggests that Debir (under its former name) was a prominent cultural or administrative hub. It likely housed important records, treaties, legal documents, or even a library, indicating a sophisticated level of Canaanite literacy and bureaucratic organization. Its capture by the Israelites thus represented a significant blow to Canaanite intellectual and administrative power, not just military might.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he went up thence to the inhabitants of Debir":** The pronoun "he" refers to Othniel, as clarified in the subsequent verses ([Joshua 15:16-17](/joshua/15-16 "Joshua 15:16-17 - Othniel's Conquest")). "Went up thence" indicates a movement from a lower elevation to a higher one, typical for approaching a fortified city in the hill country. This phrase succinctly describes a deliberate and challenging military expedition against a specific, resisting Canaanite population.
* **"and the name of Debir before [was] Kirjathsepher":** This clause provides crucial historical and cultural information. It identifies the city by its current Israelite name, Debir, while also preserving its older, Canaanite designation, Kirjathsepher. The parenthetical "[was]" in the KJV clarifies that Kirjathsepher was its former name. This detail is not merely an archaeological note but highlights the change of ownership and cultural dominance, marking the transition from Canaanite to Israelite control and the displacement of one cultural system by another.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several subtle yet effective literary techniques. **Nomenclature** is prominent, as the text explicitly provides both the current (Debir) and former (Kirjathsepher) names of the city. This dual naming serves to ground the narrative in a specific historical reality while also adding depth, particularly through the evocative meaning of "Kirjathsepher." There is also an element of **Foreshadowing**, as this brief mention of Debir immediately precedes and sets the stage for the detailed account of Othniel's heroic conquest and subsequent reward, building anticipation for the fulfillment of Caleb's challenge. Furthermore, the city itself functions as a form of **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, where the name of the city, especially "Kirjathsepher," stands in for the broader Canaanite cultural and intellectual resistance that Israel was commanded to dismantle, representing more than just a physical stronghold but a center of pagan influence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 15:15, though a seemingly minor detail, is rich with theological implications. It underscores God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Israel, even as it highlights the human responsibility to act in faith and obedience to realize those promises. The conquest of Debir, a "city of the book," illustrates that God's people are called not only to dispossess physical enemies but also to dismantle systems of worldly wisdom and knowledge that stand in opposition to divine truth. It reminds us that true inheritance in God's kingdom often requires confronting formidable obstacles through persistent, Spirit-empowered effort, rather than passive waiting. The detailed recording of these conquests serves as a testament to God's power working through His people to establish His kingdom.

* [Deuteronomy 7:1-6](/deuteronomy/7-1 "Deuteronomy 7:1-6 - Command to Dispossess Nations")
* [Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Spiritual Warfare Against Powers")
* [Hebrews 11:30-34](/hebrews/11-30 "Hebrews 11:30-34 - Faith of the Conquerors")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The brief mention of Debir and its former name, Kirjathsepher, in Joshua 15:15 offers profound insights for contemporary believers. Just as Othniel was called to "go up" and conquer a formidable stronghold, we are similarly called to engage in spiritual battles within our own lives and communities. This verse encourages us to identify and confront the "strongholds" – whether they be patterns of sin, limiting beliefs, cultural idols, or systems of thought that oppose God's truth – that hinder our full possession of the spiritual inheritance Christ has secured for us. The fact that Debir was a "city of the book" is particularly poignant, reminding us that even intellectual or cultural centers can be places of spiritual resistance. Our reliance must be on God's revealed Word, which is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, rather than on human wisdom or philosophies that may seem impressive but ultimately stand against divine purposes. This verse is a call to active, courageous faith, trusting that God empowers us to overcome every obstacle as we pursue His will and promises.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "strongholds" or areas of spiritual resistance in your life is God calling you to confront and conquer through faith and obedience?**
* **How does the example of Othniel's initiative encourage you to step out in faith where God has called you, even when the task seems daunting?**
* **In what ways might we be tempted to rely on "worldly wisdom" or "human knowledge" (like Kirjathsepher) rather than God's revealed truth in our pursuit of His purposes?**

### FAQ
**Who is "he" in Joshua 15:15?**

Answer: While not explicitly named in this specific verse, the immediate literary context clarifies that "he" refers to Othniel, the son of Kenaz and Caleb's nephew (and later son-in-law). This is made clear in the very next verses, [Joshua 15:16-17](/joshua/15-16 "Joshua 15:16-17 - Caleb's Challenge and Othniel's Conquest"), where Caleb offers his daughter Achsah to whoever conquers Kirjathsepher, and Othniel is the one who successfully takes the city. The account is further confirmed and elaborated in [Judges 1:12-13](/judges/1-12 "Judges 1:12-13 - Othniel's Conquest of Debir"), establishing Othniel as a significant figure and the first judge of Israel.

**What is the significance of Debir's former name, Kirjathsepher?**

Answer: The name Kirjathsepher (Hebrew for "city of the book" or "city of the scribe") is highly significant. It suggests that Debir was not just a fortified city but likely a major cultural, administrative, or even religious center for the Canaanites. It may have housed important archives, legal documents, treaties, or even a library, indicating a high level of literacy and bureaucratic organization among its inhabitants. Its capture by the Israelites, therefore, was more than just a military victory; it was a symbolic dismantling of a center of Canaanite intellectual, cultural, and perhaps even idolatrous influence. This act demonstrated the displacement of pagan wisdom and systems by the authority and truth of God's people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 15:15, with its account of the conquest of Debir/Kirjathsepher, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as Othniel, a deliverer, conquered a formidable stronghold, Christ is the ultimate Conqueror who has triumphed over all spiritual strongholds and principalities. The "city of the book" can be seen as a representation of human wisdom, legalism, or any system of thought that stands in opposition to God's truth. While the Old Covenant brought the Law, which was a "book" of commands, it was unable to truly conquer the stronghold of sin in the human heart. Christ, however, did not merely conquer a city; He disarmed the powers and authorities, making a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). He is the true wisdom of God, surpassing all human philosophy ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God"), [Colossians 2:8](/colossians/2-8 "Colossians 2:8 - Warning Against Human Philosophy")). Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has secured for believers a spiritual inheritance far greater than any earthly land ([Ephesians 1:11](/ephesians/1-11 "Ephesians 1:11 - Our Inheritance in Christ"), [1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Inheritance Imperishable")). We, as His followers, are now called to participate in His ongoing victory, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to tear down spiritual strongholds in our lives and in the world, not by physical might, but by the truth of the Gospel and the power of God ([2 Corinthians 10:4-5](/2_corinthians/10-4 "2 Corinthians 10:4-5 - Weapons of Our Warfare")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Joshua 10:38

And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir; and fought against it:

Joshua 10:3

Wherefore Adonizedek king of Jerusalem sent unto Hoham king of Hebron, and unto Piram king of Jarmuth, and unto Japhia king of Lachish, and unto Debir king of Eglon, saying,

Judges 1:11

And from thence he went against the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of Debir before [was] Kirjathsepher:

Judges 1:13

And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife.