xlit Yebûwçîy corrected to Yᵉbûwçîy; patrial from יְבוּס; a Jebusite or inhabitant of Jebus; Jebusite(-s).
Transliteration:Yᵉbûwçîy
Pronunciation:yeb-oo-see'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word H2983 (יְבוּסִי, Yᵉbûwçîy) is a gentilic noun, derived from H2982 (יְבוּס, Yᵉbûwç), which is the ancient name for the city that would later become Jerusalem. Therefore, Yᵉbûwçîy literally translates to "a Jebusite" or "an inhabitant of Jebus." Its semantic range is narrow and specific, exclusively referring to the ethnic group associated with the city of Jebus prior to its capture by King David. It consistently denotes a particular geographical and ethnic identity within the land of Canaan.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The Jebusites are frequently mentioned in the biblical text, primarily as one of the seven nations inhabiting Canaan whom the Israelites were commanded to dispossess. They appear prominently in various lists of these indigenous peoples (e.g., [[Genesis 10:16]], [[Genesis 15:21]], [[Exodus 3:8]], [[Exodus 13:5]], [[Exodus 23:23]], [[Exodus 33:2]], [[Exodus 34:11]], [[Numbers 13:29]], [[Deuteronomy 7:1]], [[Deuteronomy 20:17]], [[Joshua 3:10]], [[Joshua 9:1]], [[Joshua 11:3]], [[Joshua 12:8]], [[Joshua 24:11]]). These passages underscore their status as a formidable presence in the land promised to Israel.
Notably, the Jebusites maintained a strong hold on their city, Jebus, even after the initial Israelite conquest of Canaan. Both [[Joshua 15:63]] and [[Judges 1:21]] record that the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, respectively, were unable to drive the Jebusites out of Jerusalem. This highlights their strategic location and defensive capabilities, allowing them to remain an independent enclave within Israelite territory for centuries.
The most significant historical interaction with the Jebusites occurs during the reign of King David. David successfully captured Jebus, transforming it into his capital, the City of David, or Jerusalem (e.g., [[2 Samuel 5:6-9]], [[1 Chronicles 11:4-7]]). This conquest was a pivotal moment, establishing Jerusalem as the political and religious heart of Israel. Even after the city's capture, some Jebusites evidently remained, as evidenced by Araunah the Jebusite, from whom David purchased the threshing floor that would become the site of the Temple ([[2 Samuel 24:16-25]], [[1 Chronicles 21:15-30]]). This interaction suggests a degree of coexistence or integration, albeit under Israelite suzerainty.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **`{{H2982}}` (יְבוּס, Yᵉbûwç):** This is the direct root of H2983, referring to the city of Jebus, the ancient name for Jerusalem. Understanding the city is fundamental to understanding its inhabitants.
* **Canaanites:** The Jebusites are consistently categorized as one of the broader Canaanite peoples (e.g., [[Genesis 10:15-19]]). This places them within the larger ethnic and cultural framework of the pre-Israelite inhabitants of the land.
* **Other Canaanite groups:** They are often listed alongside other nations like the Amorites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, and Girgashites, emphasizing their collective identity as the peoples to be dispossessed by Israel.
* **Jerusalem:** The transformation of Jebus into Jerusalem under David is inextricably linked to the narrative of the Jebusites and their eventual subjugation.
### Theological Significance
The presence and eventual subjugation of the Jebusites carry several theological implications:
* **Fulfillment of Divine Promise:** The command to dispossess the Jebusites, along with other Canaanite nations, underscores the fulfillment of God's covenant promise to Abraham regarding the land of Canaan ([[Genesis 15:18-21]]). Their ultimate defeat and the establishment of Israel in their territory demonstrate God's faithfulness to His word.
* **Conquest and Separation:** The divine mandate to drive out or destroy the Jebusites and other Canaanite groups (often associated with the concept of *herem*) was primarily intended to prevent Israel from adopting the idolatrous and immoral practices prevalent in the land. This highlights God's demand for holiness and exclusive worship.
* **God's Sovereignty over History:** The capture of Jebus, a city that had resisted Israelite control for centuries, by King David, a shepherd king, powerfully illustrates God's sovereign hand in establishing His chosen king and choosing Jerusalem as the future site of His Temple and the center of His earthly kingdom. It was not merely a military feat but a divinely orchestrated event.
* **Nuance of Grace and Integration:** The account of Araunah the Jebusite, who peacefully interacts with David and sells him the threshing floor for a holy purpose, provides a more nuanced perspective. While the general command was dispossession, individual instances suggest that not all Jebusites were eradicated, and some could exist peaceably under Israelite rule, even contributing to sacred endeavors. This might hint at broader divine mercy or the possibility of non-Israelites participating in God's redemptive plan.
### Summary
The term H2983 (יְבוּסִי, Yᵉbûwçîy) identifies the "Jebusites," the ancient inhabitants of Jebus, the city that would become Jerusalem. They are consistently portrayed in biblical narratives as one of the formidable Canaanite peoples occupying the land promised to Israel. Their enduring significance stems from their tenacious hold on Jerusalem, which resisted Israelite conquest until King David's decisive capture. This event was crucial for the establishment of Jerusalem as the political and spiritual capital of Israel, marking a pivotal moment in the fulfillment of God's covenant promises. The study of the Jebusites illuminates themes of divine faithfulness, the nature of holy war, God's sovereignty in establishing His kingdom, and the complex dynamics of conquest and integration within the biblical narrative.
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