Atomic Bible

Canaanite city captured by Joshua and Caleb's family.

Debir

Named in 11 verses across 3 books, first in Joshua 10:38.

דְּבִירDebir

קִרְיַת־סֵ֫פֶרKiriath-sepher

קִרְיַת־סַנָּהKiriath-sannah

Also called Kiriath-sepher, Kiriath-sannah.

The name means “an orator; a word.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869

About Debir Written by AI

Debir, also referred to as Kiriath-sannah or Kiriath-sepher, was a Canaanite city located in the hill country of Judah. It was conquered by Joshua during the initial Israelite conquest of Canaan (Joshua 10:38-39; 11:21; 12:13). Later, Caleb offered his daughter Achsah in marriage to whoever would capture Debir, and Othniel, Caleb's nephew, successfully took the city (Joshua 15:15-16; Judges 1:11-12). The city was also known as Kiriath-sannah, meaning "city of palm," and Kiriath-sepher, meaning "city of books," possibly indicating it was a center of learning. After its capture, Debir was allotted to the priests (Joshua 21:15; 1Ch.6.58).

Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.

Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897

This entry is on the name Debir, and may cover more than one person or place by that name.

Oracle town; sanctuary. (1.) One of the eleven cities to the west of Hebron, in the highlands of Judah (Josh. 15:49; Judg. 1:11-15). It was originally one of the towns of the Anakim (Josh. 15:15), and was also called Kirjath-sepher (q.v.) and Kirjath-sannah (49). Caleb, who had conquered and taken possession of the town and district of Hebron (Josh. 14:6-15), offered the hand of his daughter to any one who would successfully lead a party against Debir. Othniel, his younger brother (Judg. 1:13; 3:9), achieved the conquest, and gained Achsah as his wife. She was not satisfied with the portion her father gave her, and as she was proceeding toward her new home, she “lighted from off her ass” and said to him, “Give me a blessing [i.e., a dowry]: for thou hast given me a south land” (Josh. 15:19, A.V.); or, as in the Revised Version, “Thou hast set me in the land of the south”, i.e., in the Negeb, outside the rich valley of Hebron, in the dry and barren land. “Give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs, and the nether springs.”

Debir has been identified with the modern Edh-Dhaheriyeh, i.e., “the well on the ridge”, to the south of Hebron.

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(2.) A place near the “valley of Achor” (Josh. 15:7), on the north boundary of Judah, between Jerusalem and Jericho.

(3.) The king of Eglon, one of the five Canaanitish kings who were hanged by Joshua (Josh. 10:3, 23) after the victory at Gibeon. These kings fled and took refuge in a cave at Makkedah. Here they were kept confined till Joshua returned from the pursuit of their discomfited armies, when he caused them to be brought forth, and “Joshua smote them, and slew them, and hanged them on five trees” (26).

M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.

31.417, 34.967 See it on a map

GenesisMatthewRevelation

Where the Bible names it

  1. Joshua 10:38

    Finally Joshua and all Israel with him turned toward Debir and fought against it.

  2. Joshua 10:39

    And they captured Debir, its king, and all its villages. They put them to the sword and devoted to destruction everyone in the city, leaving no survivors. Joshua did to Debir and its king as he had done to Hebron and as he had done to Libnah and its king.

  3. Joshua 11:21

    At that time Joshua proceeded to eliminate the Anakim from the hill country of Hebron, Debir, and Anab, and from all the hill country of Judah and of Israel. Joshua devoted them to destruction, along with their cities.

  4. Joshua 12:13

    the king of Debir, one; the king of Geder, one;

  5. Joshua 15:15

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

  6. Joshua 15:16

    And Caleb said, “To the man who strikes down Kiriath-sepher and captures it, I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage.”

  7. Joshua 15:49

    Dannah, Kiriath-sannah (that is, Debir),

  8. Joshua 21:15

    Holon, Debir,

  9. Judges 1:11

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

  10. Judges 1:12

    And Caleb said, “To the man who strikes down Kiriath-sepher and captures it, I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage.”

  11. 1 Chronicles 6:58

    Hilen, Debir,

From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.