Joshua 15:15 - He went up against the inhabitants of Debir: now the name of Debir before was Kiriath Sepher.
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What does "Joshua 15:15" mean?
This verse from Joshua 15:15 is part of the account of the Israelite conquest of Canaan under Joshua. Let's break it down:
"He went up against the inhabitants of Debir..." This refers to a specific military campaign. "He" in this context is usually understood to be Caleb, a prominent member of the tribe of Judah, who had been promised this land by Moses. Caleb is the driving force behind taking Debir. "Went up" is a common biblical expression indicating military action, often implying an ascent to a fortified location.
"...now the name of Debir before was Kiriath Sepher." This provides a historical context. The city of Debir had previously been known by another name: Kiriath Sepher. This means "City of the Book" or "City of Writing" in Hebrew.
Therefore, the verse essentially states:
Caleb (or the forces he led) attacked the city of Debir, which was formerly known as Kiriath Sepher.
Significance and Implications:
Change of Name: The change of name suggests a potential change in control or identity of the city. Conquest often leads to renaming of places. However, the text doesn't explicitly state why the name changed.
Kiriath Sepher ("City of the Book"): The old name, Kiriath Sepher, is intriguing. It suggests that Debir/Kiriath Sepher might have been a center of learning or record-keeping in Canaanite times. This hint of a literate culture within Canaan is interesting.
Part of a Larger Narrative: This verse is a small part of a larger narrative about the division and conquest of Canaan among the tribes of Israel. Caleb's determination to claim the land promised to him is a recurring theme.
Joshua's Commission: By conquering cities such as Debir, the Israelites were fulfilling the commission that God gave Joshua to drive out the inhabitants of the land of Canaan and inherit the land.
Joshua 15:15 - He went up against the inhabitants of Debir: now the name of Debir before was Kiriath Sepher.
What does "Joshua 15:15" mean?
This verse from Joshua 15:15 is part of the account of the Israelite conquest of Canaan under Joshua. Let's break it down:
"He went up against the inhabitants of Debir..." This refers to a specific military campaign. "He" in this context is usually understood to be Caleb, a prominent member of the tribe of Judah, who had been promised this land by Moses. Caleb is the driving force behind taking Debir. "Went up" is a common biblical expression indicating military action, often implying an ascent to a fortified location.
"...now the name of Debir before was Kiriath Sepher." This provides a historical context. The city of Debir had previously been known by another name: Kiriath Sepher. This means "City of the Book" or "City of Writing" in Hebrew.
Therefore, the verse essentially states:
Caleb (or the forces he led) attacked the city of Debir, which was formerly known as Kiriath Sepher.
Significance and Implications:
Change of Name: The change of name suggests a potential change in control or identity of the city. Conquest often leads to renaming of places. However, the text doesn't explicitly state why the name changed.
Kiriath Sepher ("City of the Book"): The old name, Kiriath Sepher, is intriguing. It suggests that Debir/Kiriath Sepher might have been a center of learning or record-keeping in Canaanite times. This hint of a literate culture within Canaan is interesting.
Part of a Larger Narrative: This verse is a small part of a larger narrative about the division and conquest of Canaan among the tribes of Israel. Caleb's determination to claim the land promised to him is a recurring theme.
Joshua's Commission: By conquering cities such as Debir, the Israelites were fulfilling the commission that God gave Joshua to drive out the inhabitants of the land of Canaan and inherit the land.