Joshua 15:15

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

Joshua 15:15 KJV provides a brief but significant detail within the larger account of the Israelite conquest and the allocation of tribal inheritances in the Promised Land.

Context

This verse is part of the extensive description of the territory allotted to the tribe of Judah. Specifically, it sets the stage for the narrative found immediately after, where Caleb, a prominent leader from Judah, offers his daughter Achsah in marriage to whoever conquers Kirjathsepher. The "he" in this verse refers to Othniel, Caleb's nephew (and later son-in-law), who courageously took up this challenge. The city of Debir, formerly known as Kirjathsepher, was a heavily fortified Canaanite stronghold, symbolizing the resistance the Israelites faced in fully possessing the land God had promised them.

Key Themes

  • Conquest and Inheritance: The verse underscores the ongoing process of the Israelites taking possession of their promised inheritance. Even after major victories, pockets of resistance remained, requiring continued faith and effort from individual tribes and leaders.
  • Faithful Initiative: While brief, this verse highlights Othniel's initiative in conquering Debir, which is further elaborated in Joshua 15:16-17 and later in Judges 1:13. His action demonstrates a proactive faith in fulfilling God's command to drive out the inhabitants.
  • Overcoming Strongholds: Debir, being a significant city, represents the formidable obstacles the Israelites encountered. Its capture signified the breaking of Canaanite power in that region.

Linguistic Insights

The most notable linguistic detail is the former name of Debir: Kirjathsepher. This Hebrew name literally means "city of the book" or "city of the scribe." This suggests that Kirjathsepher was likely a significant cultural, administrative, or even religious center for the Canaanites, possibly housing important records, libraries, or scribal schools. Its capture by the Israelites was therefore not just a military victory but also a symbolic taking of a center of Canaanite knowledge and influence.

Practical Application

Joshua 15:15 encourages believers to recognize that possessing spiritual "inheritance" often requires intentional effort and courage. Just as Othniel took on the challenge of a formidable city, we are called to confront and overcome spiritual strongholds in our lives and communities. The fact that a "city of the book" was conquered can also remind us of the importance of grounding our understanding and actions in God's truth, rather than relying on worldly wisdom or knowledge that stands against God's purposes. It is a call to active faith in pursuing God's will and promises in our own lives, understanding that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces.

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Cross-References

  • Joshua 10:38 (3 votes)

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

  • Joshua 10:3 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

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

  • Judges 1:13 (2 votes)

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