Joshua 15:63

KJV

As for the Jebusites the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them out: but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem unto this day.

KJV (with Strong's)

As for the Jebusites {H2983} the inhabitants {H3427} of Jerusalem {H3389}, the children {H1121} of Judah {H3063} could {H3201}{H3201} not drive them out {H3423}: but the Jebusites {H2983} dwell {H3427} with the children {H1121} of Judah {H3063} at Jerusalem {H3389} unto this day {H3117}.

Complete Jewish Bible

As for the Y'vusi, who lived in Yerushalayim, the descendants of Y'hudah could not drive them out; so the Y'vusi live with the descendants of Y'hudah in Yerushalayim to this day.

Berean Standard Bible

But the descendants of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites living in Jerusalem. So to this day the Jebusites live there among the descendants of Judah.

American Standard Version

And as for the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them out: but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem unto this day.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 15:63 records a pivotal detail concerning the tribal inheritance of Judah: their failure to fully dispossess the Jebusite inhabitants of Jerusalem. This verse, positioned at the conclusion of Judah's extensive territorial description, serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring consequences of incomplete obedience to God's commands, highlighting a significant challenge that would persist for centuries within the heart of Israel's promised land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 15 meticulously details the vast inheritance allotted to the tribe of Judah, the largest and most prominent of the Israelite tribes. The chapter begins by outlining Judah's extensive boundaries, stretching from the Salt Sea to the Mediterranean, and then proceeds to list numerous cities and regions within their allocated territory. This meticulous cataloging underscores the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham regarding the land. Verse 63, however, stands as a stark anomaly at the very end of this triumphant list, serving as an immediate counterpoint to the preceding narrative of successful conquest and inheritance. It highlights a significant exception to Judah's otherwise impressive achievements, setting a precedent for similar failures recorded in other tribal allotments (e.g., [Judges 1:21](/judges/1-21 "Judges 1:21 - Benjamin's Failure in Jerusalem")). This verse acts as a literary "footnote" that foreshadows future struggles and compromises within the nation, even in the midst of divine blessing and provision.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time of the conquest, Jerusalem, then known as Jebus, was a fortified city situated on a strategic ridge between two valleys, making it naturally defensible. The Jebusites were one of the Canaanite peoples inhabiting the land, known for their strongholds. God had explicitly commanded Israel to utterly dispossess all the inhabitants of Canaan (e.g., [Deuteronomy 7:2](/deuteronomy/7-2 "Deuteronomy 7:2 - Command to Dispossess")). The failure of Judah to drive out the Jebusites from Jerusalem meant that this strategically vital city, located at the crossroads of tribal territories, remained an independent enclave within the heart of Israel's land. This situation would persist for several centuries, as evidenced by the phrase "unto this day," indicating that at the time of the text's compilation, the Jebusites still coexisted with Judah. This incomplete conquest meant a continued presence of pagan influence and a constant reminder of unfulfilled divine command, a situation that would not be rectified until King David's decisive capture of the city (see [2 Samuel 5:6-9](/2_samuel/5-6 "2 Samuel 5:6-9 - David Conquers Jerusalem")).

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Joshua and the broader Deuteronomistic History. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **incomplete obedience**. Despite God's clear commands and the miraculous assistance provided in the conquest, Israel's human failure to fully obey is evident. This partial obedience stands in contrast to the complete dispossessing commanded by God (e.g., [Deuteronomy 20:16-18](/deuteronomy/20-16 "Deuteronomy 20:16-18 - Laws of Warfare")). Secondly, it highlights the **consequences of compromise**. Allowing the Jebusites to remain in Jerusalem created a persistent "thorn in the side" for Israel, a potential source of idolatry and a strategic vulnerability. This theme is further developed in the book of Judges, where the remaining Canaanites become a snare (e.g., [Judges 2:1-3](/judges/2-1 "Judges 2:1-3 - Angel of the Lord's Rebuke")). Finally, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **divine sovereignty amidst human failure**. Even though Judah, the tribe from which the Messiah would come, failed in this crucial task, God's ultimate plan for Jerusalem as His chosen city would still unfold through future leaders like David, demonstrating that His purposes are not ultimately thwarted by human shortcomings.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jebusites (Hebrew, _Yəḇûsî_):** This term refers to one of the Canaanite tribes listed as inhabitants of the land before the Israelite conquest. They are specifically associated with the city of Jebus, which later became Jerusalem. Their continued presence signifies a failure to fully execute the divine command of dispossessing the land's inhabitants, highlighting a persistent challenge and potential spiritual danger for Israel.
* **could not drive them out (Hebrew, _lōʾ yāḵəlû ləhôrîšām_):** This phrase indicates an inability or failure to expel the Jebusites. While some commentators suggest a lack of military strength or resolve, the broader narrative of Joshua often attributes such failures to a lack of complete faith or obedience. The emphasis is on Judah's incapacity to fulfill the divine mandate, rather than an inherent invincibility of the Jebusites.
* **unto this day (Hebrew, _ʿad hayyôm hazzeh_):** This idiomatic phrase is common in historical narratives and indicates that the situation described persisted up to the time of the writing or compilation of the text. It underscores the long-term nature of Judah's incomplete conquest and the enduring presence of the Jebusites in Jerusalem, a situation that would only be resolved centuries later by King David.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"As for the Jebusites the inhabitants of Jerusalem":** This clause specifically identifies the group and location of the incomplete conquest. Jerusalem, then known as Jebus, was a significant stronghold, and its inhabitants, the Jebusites, were a formidable presence. The specific mention of Jerusalem foreshadows its future importance in Israelite history.
* **"the children of Judah could not drive them out":** This is the core statement of failure. Despite Judah's prominence and the extensive territory they successfully conquered, they were unable to dislodge the Jebusites from Jerusalem. This "could not" implies either a lack of divine empowerment due to disobedience, or a lack of human resolve and perseverance. It marks a significant spiritual and military shortcoming.
* **"but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem unto this day":** This concluding clause emphasizes the lasting consequence of the failure. The Jebusites remained co-inhabitants with the tribe of Judah in Jerusalem. The phrase "unto this day" highlights the prolonged nature of this compromise, indicating that the situation was still ongoing when the book of Joshua was compiled, setting the stage for future narratives and challenges related to Jerusalem's control and spiritual purity.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Juxtaposition** is evident as this verse, detailing a failure, immediately follows a lengthy and triumphant list of Judah's successful conquests, creating a stark contrast that emphasizes the magnitude of this particular shortcoming. The phrase "**unto this day**" functions as an **idiom** or **chronological marker**, grounding the narrative in a specific historical reality and emphasizing the enduring nature of the problem described. Furthermore, the presence of the Jebusites in Jerusalem can be seen as a form of **symbolism**, representing the persistent "unconquered" areas within the spiritual life of Israel, and by extension, within the lives of believers. It serves as a **foreshadowing** device, hinting at the future struggles Israel would face due to incomplete obedience, particularly as detailed in the book of Judges.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 15:63 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of obedience and its consequences. It illustrates that even the most blessed and prominent tribe, Judah, was susceptible to partial obedience, leading to persistent challenges. The failure to fully dispossess the Jebusites from Jerusalem underscores the principle that God's commands are holistic and that compromise, even in seemingly small areas, can have long-lasting implications for spiritual purity and national security. This verse sets a precedent for understanding the recurring cycles of apostasy and judgment in Israel's history, where the lingering presence of Canaanite influences often led to idolatry and moral decline. It highlights the tension between God's perfect will and human imperfection, demonstrating that while God's promises are sure, their full realization often depends on human faithfulness.

* [Judges 1:21](/judges/1-21 "Judges 1:21 - Benjamin's Failure in Jerusalem")
* [Deuteronomy 7:2](/deuteronomy/7-2 "Deuteronomy 7:2 - Command to Dispossess")
* [Numbers 33:55](/numbers/33-55 "Numbers 33:55 - Remaining Inhabitants as Thorns")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 15:63 offers a potent spiritual lesson for believers today. Just as Judah failed to fully conquer Jerusalem, we often harbor "Jebusites" in our lives—areas of sin, compromise, unaddressed habits, or unyielded strongholds that we "cannot drive out." These unconquered territories, whether they be pride, unforgiveness, lust, materialism, or any form of disobedience, can become persistent obstacles to our spiritual growth and hinder the full experience of God's promised abundant life. The verse challenges us to examine our own lives for areas where we have settled for partial obedience, reminding us that true spiritual victory requires thoroughness and a relentless pursuit of God's will in every domain. It calls us to rely on God's power to overcome what seems insurmountable, recognizing that what we "cannot" do in our own strength, God can accomplish through us when we are fully surrendered and obedient.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Jebusites" (areas of persistent sin or compromise) might be dwelling in my own life, hindering my full spiritual inheritance?**
* **In what ways might partial obedience be preventing me from experiencing God's complete victory and peace?**
* **How does the long-term consequence of Judah's failure in Jerusalem motivate me to seek complete surrender to God today?**
* **What steps can I take, relying on God's strength, to "drive out" those spiritual strongholds that remain in my life?**

### FAQ

**Why did Judah "fail" to drive out the Jebusites, despite God's command?**

Answer: The text states that Judah "could not drive them out," which implies a failure of military might or resolve. The reasons for this "could not" are not explicitly detailed in Joshua 15:63, but the broader biblical narrative suggests several possibilities. It could have been a lack of faith in God's ability to grant complete victory, a weariness from prolonged warfare, or a pragmatic decision to coexist rather than face a difficult siege. Ultimately, it points to a human shortcoming in fully executing God's command to dispossess the land, a theme that recurs throughout the book of Judges (e.g., [Judges 1:19](/judges/1-19 "Judges 1:19 - Judah's Partial Success")). This failure highlights that even with divine promises, human obedience and perseverance are crucial for their full realization.

**What is the significance of Jerusalem remaining unconquered by Judah for so long?**

Answer: The fact that Jerusalem, a strategically vital city, remained unconquered by Judah for centuries (until David's time, as noted in [2 Samuel 5:6-9](/2_samuel/5-6 "2 Samuel 5:6-9 - David Conquers Jerusalem")) is highly significant. It represented a persistent "blemish" on Israel's conquest, a symbol of incomplete obedience at the very heart of their promised land. The continued presence of a non-Israelite stronghold in such a central location posed a constant strategic threat and a potential source of pagan influence, underscoring the long-term consequences of compromise and partial obedience. It also sets the stage for Jerusalem's future role as the capital under David and its profound theological significance as the "City of God."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 15:63, with its account of Judah's incomplete conquest of Jerusalem, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the perfect and complete victory achieved by Jesus Christ. While Judah "could not drive out" the Jebusites, demonstrating human limitation and the consequences of partial obedience, Christ perfectly fulfilled all righteousness and accomplished what humanity could not. He is the true and greater David who not only conquered the spiritual strongholds that held humanity captive but also established a spiritual Jerusalem, the church, where all enemies are ultimately subdued. The "Jebusites" of sin, death, and the devil, which no human effort could fully dispossess, have been decisively defeated by Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection (see [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers") and [Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Destroying the Power of Death")). Through His finished work, believers are empowered to live in the victory that Judah failed to fully grasp, enabling us to "drive out" the lingering strongholds of sin in our lives by the power of the Holy Spirit, ultimately looking forward to the New Jerusalem where no enemy or impurity will ever dwell (see [Revelation 21:27](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - No Unclean Thing in New Jerusalem")).

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

Judges 1:21

¶ And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem unto this day.

Judges 1:8

Now the children of Judah had fought against Jerusalem, and had taken it, and smitten it with the edge of the sword, and set the city on fire.

2 Samuel 5:6

¶ And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither.

2 Samuel 5:9

So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward.

1 Chronicles 11:4

And David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, which [is] Jebus; where the Jebusites [were], the inhabitants of the land.

1 Chronicles 11:8

And he built the city round about, even from Millo round about: and Joab repaired the rest of the city.

Romans 7:14

¶ For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.