Joshua 15:15-17
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The fact that Debir was formerly called Kiriath-sepher, meaning "City of Books," suggests it was a significant center of learning or archives. This detail paints a picture of Canaanite culture as not just a collection of warring tribes, but a society with developed intellectual and administrative centers, making its conquest more than just a military victory.
And he went up from there against the inhabitants of Debir. Now the name of Debir formerly was Kiriath-sepher. And Caleb said, “He who attacks Kiriath-sepher and captures it, I will give him Achsah my daughter as wife.” And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, captured it. And he gave him Achsah his daughter as wife.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following his conquest and inheritance of Hebron, Caleb now advances to capture the city of Debir, which was formerly known as Kiriath-sepher. This action continues the division and conquest of the Promised Land for the tribes of Israel after Joshua's leadership.
Why would a fortified city in ancient Canaan be known as the 'City of Books'? This name hints at a deeper significance than just a place of residence.
The city of Debir held a unique name, Kirjath-sepher, which translates to 'City of Books'.
A Center of Learning
This name suggests it was a significant center for knowledge, learning, or perhaps a repository for important records and archives. It wasn't just a military stronghold, but a place where wisdom was preserved and studied.
Echoes Through Scripture
While the verse itself is brief, the name 'Kirjath-sepher' invites us to consider the value ancient cultures placed on knowledge and records. This echoes the importance of 'the book' – God's Word – in our own lives, reminding us to engage with its teachings.
Joshua 15:15 is part of a larger narrative about Caleb and his inheritance. What does this specific conquest reveal about God's faithfulness and the challenges of obedience?
This verse sits within the account of Caleb, a faithful servant, taking possession of his inheritance.
A Reward for Faithfulness
Caleb had previously been promised Hebron and its surrounding territory for his faithful report of the Promised Land forty years prior (Joshua 14:6-15). His continued conquest, including Debir, demonstrates the fulfillment of God's promises to those who trust Him.
The Cost of Obedience
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The conquest of Debir, formerly Kirjath-sepher, was not without effort. While the specific details of the battle aren't in this verse, the preceding verses (Joshua 15:13-14) mention that Caleb drove out the inhabitants. This highlights that inheriting God's promises often involves courageous action and overcoming obstacles. It also touches upon the story of Achsah, Caleb's daughter, who boldly requested and received springs of water after her husband Othniel conquered the city, showing faith and initiative building on the conquest.
The mention of Debir's former name, Kiriath-sepher ('city of books'), hints at a place of learning or archives, contrasting with the military conquest taking place. This detail adds a layer of cultural richness to the narrative of territorial acquisition.
c. 1400 BC
Israelite Conquest of Canaan
Following the exodus from Egypt, Joshua leads the Israelites in a military campaign to conquer the Promised Land. Cities are captured, and land is distributed among the tribes.
c. 1400 BC
Caleb Receives Hebron
As part of the land allocation, Caleb is given the city of Hebron and its surrounding territory, a significant inheritance within the land of Judah.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Caleb's Conquest of Debir
Caleb, the leader of the Calebites, ascends from Hebron to confront and conquer the Canaanite city of Debir, which was formerly known as Kiriath-sepher.
c. 1400 BC
Achsah's Request for Land
Caleb's daughter, Achsah, cleverly secures additional land with springs from her father after her husband, Othniel (Caleb's nephew), successfully conquers Debir.
This passage directly follows Joshua's conquest and details Judah's, and specifically Caleb's, success in taking Debir (Kirjath-sepher), showing the fulfillment of the conquest described in Joshua.
Joshua 10:38-39This earlier mention of Debir highlights its strategic importance and the complete conquest of the region, providing context for Caleb's later engagement with its inhabitants and its former name.
Genesis 49:7This prophetic word from Jacob regarding the scattering of Simeon and Judah finds a backdrop in the distribution of territory and conquest described in Joshua, where cities are given and sometimes re-given or occupied.
1 Chronicles 4:15This passage provides a genealogical link, mentioning Caleb and the sons of Kenaz, which connects to the Caleb narrative in Joshua, emphasizing the lineage and inheritance of the land.
calvinJoshua 15:14-63: "And Caleb drove thence the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak."
- And it came to pass as she came unto him, etc Although we may conjecture that the damsel Acsa was of excellent morals and well brought up, as marriage with her had been held forth as the special reward [149] of victory, yet perverse cupidity on her part is here disclosed. She knew that by the divine law women were specially excluded from hereditary lands, but she neverthe…
clarkeJoshua 15:15: "And he went up thence to the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of Debir before was Kirjathsepher."
Kirjath-sepher - The city of the book. Why so named is uncertain. It was also called Debir, and Kirjath-sannah. See Joshua 15:49 .
The fact that Debir was formerly called Kiriath-sepher, meaning "City of Books," suggests it was a significant center of learning or archives. This detail paints a picture of Canaanite culture as not just a collection of warring tribes, but a society with developed intellectual and administrative centers, making its conquest more than just a military victory.
Following his conquest and inheritance of Hebron, Caleb now advances to capture the city of Debir, which was formerly known as Kiriath-sepher. This action continues the division and conquest of the Promised Land for the tribes of Israel after Joshua's leadership.
Following his conquest and inheritance of Hebron, Caleb now advances to capture the city of Debir, which was formerly known as Kiriath-sepher. This action continues the division and conquest of the Promised Land for the tribes of Israel after Joshua's leadership.
"And he went up from there against the inhabitants of Debir. Now the name of Debir formerly was Kiriath-sepher. And Caleb said, “He who attacks Kiriath-sepher and captures it, I will give him Achsah my daughter as wife.” And Othniel the son…" — The fact that Debir was formerly called Kiriath-sepher, meaning "City of Books," suggests it was a significant center of learning or archives. This detail paints a picture of Canaanite culture as not…
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Last reviewed October 2026
