or (shortened) דְּבִר; (Joshua 13:26 (but see לֹא דְבַר)), the same as דְּבִיר; Debir, the name of an Amoritish king and of two places in Palestine; Debir.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Dᵉbîyr**, represented by `{{H1688}}`, primarily refers to the name of an Amoritish **king** `{{H4428}}` and two distinct places in Palestine. It appears **14 times** across **12 unique verses** in the Bible. The word is central to the narrative of Israel's conquest of Canaan, marking a significant site of battle, a boundary for tribal allotments, and a city later designated for the priesthood.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, **Dᵉbîyr** is mentioned in several key contexts. It is the **name** `{{H8034}}` of the **king** `{{H4428}}` of **Eglon** `{{H5700}}` who allied against **Joshua** `{{H3091}}` [[Joshua 10:3]]. Separately, a **city** `{{H5892}}` named **Debir** was a strategic Canaanite stronghold in the **mountains** `{{H2022}}` of **Judah** `{{H3063}}` [[Joshua 11:21]]. **Joshua** **fought** `{{H3898}}` against this **city**, captured it, and **utterly destroyed** `{{H2763}}` its inhabitants and its **king**, leaving none **remaining** `{{H8300}}` [[Joshua 10:38-39]]. This **city** of **Debir** had a former **name**, **Kirjathsepher** `{{H7158}}` ([[Joshua 15:15]], [[Judges 1:11]]), also known as **Kirjathsannah** `{{H7158}}` [[Joshua 15:49]]. Another place named **Debir** is noted as a landmark on the **border** `{{H1366}}` of Gad [[Joshua 13:26]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide deeper context for the significance of **Dᵉbîyr**:
* `{{H7158}}` **Qiryath Çannâh** (Kirjath-sannah): This was the former **name** `{{H8034}}` of the city of **Debir** ([[Joshua 15:15]], [[Joshua 15:49]]). Its definition, "city of branches, or of a book," points to its potential cultural importance before the conquest.
* `{{H3091}}` **Yᵉhôwshûwaʻ** (Joshua): As the leader of **Israel** `{{H3478}}`, **Joshua** is the one who **cut off** `{{H3772}}` the **Anakims** from **Debir** and **utterly destroyed** `{{H2763}}` the **city** [[Joshua 11:21]].
* `{{H6062}}` **ʻĂnâqîy** (Anakims): These descendants of Anak were formidable inhabitants of the land, and their removal from **Debir** by **Joshua** was a significant victory for **Israel** `{{H3478}}` [[Joshua 11:21]].
* `{{H2763}}` **châram** (utterly destroy): This term describes the complete devotion of **Debir** to destruction under the ban, highlighting the nature of the conquest as a religious and military action [[Joshua 10:39]].
### Theological Significance
The significance of `{{H1688}}` is primarily geographical and historical, marking a key point in Israel's establishment in the promised land.
* **Site of Conquest:** **Debir** was one of the royal cities whose **king** `{{H4428}}` was defeated by **Joshua** [[Joshua 12:13]]. Its complete destruction along with all the **souls** `{{H5315}}` within demonstrates the execution of the divine ban (**châram**) against the enemies of **Israel** `{{H3478}}` [[Joshua 10:39]].
* **Levitical Inheritance:** Following the conquest, the **city** `{{H5892}}` of **Debir** was transformed from a pagan center to a possession of the Levites, specifically given to the sons of Aaron with its **suburbs** `{{H4054}}` ([[Joshua 21:15]], [[1 Chronicles 6:58]]).
* **Geographical Boundary:** The name **Debir** is used to define territorial allotments for the tribes. It marks a point on the **border** `{{H1366}}` of **Judah** `{{H3063}}` near the **valley** `{{H6010}}` of **Achor** `{{H5911}}` [[Joshua 15:7]] and also a boundary point for the tribe of Gad [[Joshua 13:26]].
* **A New Identity:** The city's renaming from **Kirjathsepher** `{{H7158}}` to **Debir** signifies its changed status and ownership under Israelite control [[Judges 1:11]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H1688}}` **Dᵉbîyr** is a multifaceted name in the Old Testament. It identifies both a person—an Amoritish **king** `{{H4428}}`—and two locations critical to Israel's story. From being a Canaanite stronghold and home of the **Anakims** `{{H6062}}`, the city of **Debir** became a symbol of Joshua's successful conquest, a Levitical city dedicated to God's service, and a permanent marker in the geography of the promised land.
TRV