Lexical Summary Debir: Debir Original Word: דְּבִיר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Debir Or (shortened) Dbir (Josh. 13:26 (but see Lo' Dbar)) {deb-eer'}; the same as dbiyr; Debir, the name of an Amoritish king and of two places in Palestine -- Debir. see HEBREW Lo' Dbar see HEBREW dbiyr NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as debir Definition an Amorite king, also the name of several places in Pal. NASB Translation Debir (14). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. דְּבִיר 1. proper name, masculine king of Eglon Joshua 10:3. 2. proper name, of a location a. דְּבִ֫רָה with ָ ה locative, northern border Judah Joshua 15:7 (westward Hup Psalm 28:2). b. לִדְבִר town of the Gadites Joshua 13:26, perhaps Lôdebâr 2 Samuel 9:4 see לֹא דְבָר Di MV. c. דְּבִיר Judges 1:11 (twice in verse); 1 Chronicles 6:43, דְּבִרָה Joshua 10:38,39, elsewhere דְּבִר Joshua 15:15 +, a royal city of Canaanites anciently called קִרְיַת סֵפֶר Joshua 15:15; Judges 1:11, קִרְיַת סַנָּה Joshua 15:49; on the mountains of Judah, in region of Hebron Joshua 11:21; Joshua 15:49, assigned to the Aaronite priests Joshua 21:15 as a city of refuge 1 Chronicles 6:43; modern Dhoherîye, 5 hours southwest from Hebron, according to Kn, so Surveyiii. 402; other conjectures in Di Joshua 10:39 RiHWB 265. Topical Lexicon Occurrences in Scripture Debir appears fourteen times in the Hebrew Scriptures (Joshua 10:3; 10:38; 10:39; 11:21; 12:13; 13:26; 15:7; 15:15; 15:15; 15:49; 21:15; Judges 1:11; Judges 1:11; 1 Chronicles 6:58). The term designates both a Canaanite king and several locations principally connected with the tribe of Judah and, secondarily, with Gad. Debir, King of Eglon Joshua 10:3 lists “Debir king of Eglon” among the five Amorite rulers who formed a coalition against Gibeon after its treaty with Israel. His defeat under Joshua’s leadership (Joshua 10:23–26) underscores the Lord’s faithfulness in delivering the land to Israel exactly as promised (Joshua 1:3–5). The record of Debir’s demise serves as a reminder that earthly power cannot withstand God’s resolve to establish His covenant people. Debir, the Judean Stronghold (Formerly Kiriath-Sepher / Kiriath-Sannah) 1. Conquest under Joshua Joshua turned “back to Debir and fought against it” (Joshua 10:38). Verse 39 testifies, “He captured it and its king and all its villages. He left no survivor”. The victory forms part of a sweeping southern campaign that neutralized key fortified centers south of Hebron. 2. Re-capture by Caleb and Othniel Joshua 15:15–17 and Judges 1:11–13 relate how Caleb challenged, “Whoever attacks Kiriath-sepher and captures it, I will give him my daughter Achsah in marriage.” Othniel answered the call and secured Debir. Their account highlights: 3. Levitical City Joshua 21:15 and 1 Chronicles 6:58 place Debir among the towns given to the sons of Aaron within Judah. That allocation situated priestly ministry at a former Canaanite stronghold, turning conquered territory into a center for teaching God’s law—an earthly picture of redemption that converts former enemy ground into sacred service. 4. Geographic Identification Archaeological consensus frequently situates Debir at Khirbet Rabud, roughly fifteen kilometers southwest of Hebron. The site’s elevated terrain and substantial fortification lines align with the biblical portrayal of a defensible city yet vulnerable before the LORD’s mandate. The Border of Debir in Gad Joshua 13:26 references “the border of Debir” while defining the inheritance east of the Jordan. Whether this Debir marks a different settlement or a fort outpost remains debated, but its inclusion indicates the name’s broader regional usage and the reach of Israel’s occupation. Debir on Judah’s Northern Boundary Joshua 15:7 situates Debir near the Valley of Achor when delineating Judah’s northern line. Some scholars equate this with the “Stone of Bohan” locale; others view it as a marker rather than a settled town. Either way, it functioned as a legal point in the tribal allotment, affirming God’s orderly distribution of the land. Theological Reflections 1. Divine Ownership and Human Agency Debir’s repeated conquests demonstrate the interplay between God’s sovereign promise and human obedience. Joshua executed overarching strategy; Caleb and Othniel pursued localized objectives. Each victory magnified “the LORD God of Israel [who] fought for Israel” (Joshua 10:42). 2. Transformation of Places and People The city once known as “Kiriath-Sepher” (“City of the Book”) became a Levitical center where God’s word would be taught. Likewise, Othniel advanced from conqueror to judge, and Achsah’s dowry of springs turned arid land into fruitful inheritance, foreshadowing spiritual springs offered through Christ (John 4:14). 3. Christological Anticipation Debir’s storyline of promised land obtained through faith-driven conflict prefigures the believer’s spiritual rest secured in Jesus (Hebrews 4:8–10). The city’s transformation from pagan stronghold to priestly dwelling anticipates the redeemed creation wherein “the dwelling place of God is with man” (Revelation 21:3). Summary From a defiant Canaanite monarch to fortified cities along crucial territorial lines, Debir stands as a testament to the reliability of God’s word, the necessity of courageous obedience, and the gracious conversion of enemy ground into holy service. The biblical record invites followers of Christ to persevere in faith, assured that, like Caleb and Othniel, they labor under the banner of an unfailing covenant-keeping Lord. Forms and Transliterations דְּבִ֑יר דְּבִ֑ר דְּבִ֑רָה דְּבִ֖יר דְּבִ֖ר דְּבִ֣ר דְּבִ֥יר דְּבִ֥ר דְּבִר֙ דְּבִרָה֮ דְבִֽר׃ דביר דבר דבר׃ דברה לִדְבִ֙רָה֙ לִדְבִֽר׃ לדבר׃ לדברה də·ḇi·rāh də·ḇir də·ḇîr ḏə·ḇir dəḇir dəḇîr ḏəḇir dəḇirāh deVir deVirah liḏ·ḇi·rāh liḏ·ḇir liḏḇir liḏḇirāh lidVir lidVirahLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 10:3 HEB: לָכִ֛ישׁ וְאֶל־ דְּבִ֥יר מֶֽלֶךְ־ עֶגְל֖וֹן NAS: of Lachish and to Debir king KJV: of Lachish, and unto Debir king INT: of Lachish and to Debir king of Eglon Joshua 10:38 Joshua 10:39 Joshua 11:21 Joshua 12:13 Joshua 13:26 Joshua 15:7 Joshua 15:15 Joshua 15:15 Joshua 15:49 Joshua 21:15 Judges 1:11 Judges 1:11 1 Chronicles 6:58 14 Occurrences |
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