Joshua 15:49
Dannah, Kiriath-sannah (that is, Debir),
English Standard Version (ESV)
Joshua 15:49
Dannah, Kiriath-sannah (that is, Debir),
English Standard Version (ESV)
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It's easy to overlook that "Kiriath-sannah" was just one of three names for the city of Debir. This tells us the place was considered significant enough to have multiple designations, possibly reflecting its importance as a center of law, learning, or a particular way of life, a concept echoed in its other names like "Kirjath-sepher," meaning "City of Books."
This verse is part of a lengthy list detailing the cities and territories allotted to the tribe of Judah after they entered the Promised Land. It follows the descriptions of cities in the hill country and directly precedes the listing of towns in the desert region, helping to map out the full extent of Judah's inheritance. The mention of Debir, also known as Kirjath-sannah, highlights a place previously identified in the text and provides its alternate name within this geographical survey.
Why would a single city need three different names? The names of Debir offer a surprising clue about its importance in ancient Israel.
The verse mentions Debir, also known as Kiriath-sannah. This name is significant because "sannah" relates to 'law' or 'doctrine.' It was also called Kiriath-sepher, meaning 'city of books' or 'city of scribes.'
A Center for Learning
This tells us Debir wasn't just any city; it was a major hub for education and the study of God's Word. Imagine a place filled with scholars, libraries, and intense learning, all dedicated to understanding the teachings given to Israel. This emphasizes that even in the midst of military conquest and settling the land, the pursuit of wisdom and knowledge of God was a vital priority.
Joshua 15:49 names Dannah and Kiriath-sannah (Debir). But the story of Debir goes back to a formidable enemy conquered by Caleb.
The passage in Joshua 15 lists cities belonging to Judah. Earlier in Joshua (11:21 and 15:14), Debir is mentioned as a city that Caleb conquered from the Anakites, a powerful and fearsome people. Caleb famously drove out the 'three sons of Anak' from Hebron (Joshua 15:14).
Courage in Conquest
Caleb's victory over the Anakites at Debir was a significant achievement, demonstrating God's power to give His people victory over their strongest enemies. It shows that even formidable obstacles can be overcome through faith and obedience to God's promises. The fact that this city, once a stronghold of giants, became a place of learning underscores the transformative power of God's conquest.
The specific naming of Debir (also called Kirjath-sannah) within the detailed listing of Judah's cities underscores the thoroughness of the land division after the conquest, highlighting God's faithfulness in giving His people a specific, tangible inheritance.
c. 1400 BC
Israel Conquers Canaan
Led by Joshua, the Israelites complete their military conquest of Canaan, marking the beginning of their settlement in the Promised Land.
c. 1400 BC
Tribal Allotments Begin
Following the conquest, the land of Canaan is divided among the twelve Israelite tribes by lot and by divine direction.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Joshua Assigns Judah's Territory
The tribe of Judah receives its extensive inheritance, which is then detailed city by city in the book of Joshua.
c. 1300-1050 BC
Period of the Judges
After Joshua's death, the Israelites experience cycles of faithfulness and unfaithfulness, leading to periods of oppression and deliverance.
This passage directly relates to Debir, identifying it as Kirjath-sepher, a name meaning 'city of letters' or 'city of books,' highlighting its potential significance as a center of learning or law, which enriches our understanding of the name 'Kirjath-sannah' given here.
Judges 1:11-13This passage recounts how Debir was captured by Othniel, Caleb's son-in-law, after he married Caleb's daughter Achsah, providing the historical context and the human drama behind the acquisition of this significant city and its surrounding lands.
Genesis 49:5-7Jacob's prophecy about his sons foretold a scattering for Simeon and Levi, which explains how the tribe of Judah could possess such a large territory and still have cities like Debir within their allotment, even as other tribes' territories were rearranged.
1 Kings 4:29-30This passage describes Solomon's great wisdom, which was renowned throughout the East, potentially linking back to the ancient importance of cities like Debir, which may have been known for wisdom or legal traditions that carried through the generations.
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 15:49: "And Dannah, and Kirjathsannah, which is Debir,"
Kirjath-sannah - See the note on Joshua 15:15 .
It's easy to overlook that "Kiriath-sannah" was just one of three names for the city of Debir. This tells us the place was considered significant enough to have multiple designations, possibly reflecting its importance as a center of law, learning, or a particular way of life, a concept echoed in its other names like "Kirjath-sepher," meaning "City of Books."
This verse is part of a lengthy list detailing the cities and territories allotted to the tribe of Judah after they entered the Promised Land. It follows the descriptions of cities in the hill country and directly precedes the listing of towns in the desert region, helping to map out the full extent of Judah's inheritance. The mention of Debir, also known as Kirjath-sannah, highlights a place previously identified in the text and provides its alternate name within this geographical survey.
This verse is part of a lengthy list detailing the cities and territories allotted to the tribe of Judah after they entered the Promised Land. It follows the descriptions of cities in the hill country and directly precedes the listing of towns in the desert region, helping to map out the full extent of Judah's inheritance. The mention of Debir, also known as Kirjath-sannah, highlights a place previously identified in the text and provides its alternate name within this geographical survey.
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"Dannah, Kiriath-sannah (that is, Debir)," — It's easy to overlook that "Kiriath-sannah" was just one of three names for the city of Debir. This tells us the place was considered significant enough to have multiple designations, possibly reflec…