7158. Qiryath Sannah or Qiryath Sepher
Lexical Summary
Qiryath Sannah or Qiryath Sepher: Kiriath Sannah / Kiriath Sepher

Original Word: קִרְיַת סַנָּה
Part of Speech: Proper name
Transliteration: Qiryath Cannah
Pronunciation: keer-YAHT sah-NAH / keer-YAHT SEH-fer
Phonetic Spelling: (keer-yath' san-naw')
KJV: Kirjath-sannah, Kirjath-sepher
NASB: Kiriath-sepher, Kiriath-sannah
Word Origin: [from H7151 (קִריָה - city) and a simpler feminine from the same as H5577 (סַנסִן - fruit stalks), or (for the latter name) H5612 (סֵפֶר סִפרָה - book)]

1. city of branches, or of a book
2. Kirjath-Sannah or Kirjath-Sepher, a place in Israel

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Kirjath-sannah, Kirjath-sepher

Or Qiryath Cepher {keer-yath' say-fer}; from qiryah and a simpler feminine from the same as cancin, or (for the latter name) cepher; city of branches, or of a book; Kirjath-Sannah or Kirjath-Sepher, a place in Palestine -- Kirjath-sannah, Kirjath-sepher.

see HEBREW qiryah

see HEBREW cancin

see HEBREW cepher

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from qiryah and sepher
Definition
"city of writing," a city in Judah
NASB Translation
Kiriath-sannah (1), Kiriath-sepher (4).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
קִרְיַתסֵֿ֫פֶר proper name, of a location πόλις(τῶν)γραμμάτων, + (ᵐ5B Judges 1:11) Καριασσωφαρ: ancient name of דְּבִיר (see II. ׳ד 2c) (perhaps סֹֿפֵר׳ק scribe-town, compare ᵐ5 above also ᵑ6 and Egyptian Bai-ti¾u-pa-ïra, house of scribe, WMMAs.u.Eur.174 BuhlGeogr.274, compare GFMJu); — Joshua 15:15,16; Judges 1:11,12; another name is סַֿנָּה׳ק Joshua 15:49 (but ᵐ5 πόλις γραμμάτων, hence read perhaps סֿפר׳ק, so Steuern), in southern Judah; on site (probably Dhoherîye, 5 hours southwest from Hebron) see II. דְּבִיר 2c and BuhlGeogr.164.

Topical Lexicon
Biblical Occurrences

Kirjath Sannah is named five times in Scripture, all within the conquest narratives that describe Judah’s inheritance (Joshua 15:15; 15:16; 15:49) and the parallel account in Judges (Judges 1:11; 1:12). Joshua 15:49 explicitly adds the parenthetical identification “which is Debir,” linking the city to the better-known Debir captured by Caleb’s nephew Othniel. The sequence of references forms a unified testimony: the town was first approached (Joshua 15:15), targeted with a promise of reward (15:16), allotted within Judah’s cities (15:49), and remembered in the Judges retelling (Judges 1:11-12).

Geographical Setting

Kirjath Sannah lay in the Judean hill country roughly 13 kilometers (8 miles) southwest of Hebron. Most modern researchers point to the mound of Tell Rabud. The territory is characterized by gently terraced slopes and fertile valleys, well suited for grain and vineyards. Control of such a city secured the southern approach to the Judean highlands and guarded strategic routes toward the coastal plain.

Historical Significance in the Conquest

1. The Caleb-Othniel Campaign
• Caleb advanced from Hebron to Kirjath Sannah, offering his daughter Achsah in marriage to the warrior who would take the city.
• “So Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s brother, captured it; and Caleb gave his daughter Achsah to him as a wife” (Joshua 15:17).
• The narrative underlines Judah’s zeal and the faith-driven initiative of its leaders, setting a pattern of wholehearted obedience.

2. Achsah’s Petition

Immediately after the capture, Achsah secured water rights: “Give me a blessing. Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me also springs of water” (Joshua 15:19). The episode shows that possession of the land had to be matched by responsible stewardship. Kirjath Sannah became a symbol of inheritance accompanied by practical provision.

3. Role in Early Judges

Judges 1:11-12 echoes Joshua, confirming the accuracy of the tribal records and demonstrating the continuity of Judah’s leadership after Joshua’s death. The double account safeguards the historical reliability of Israel’s settlement and highlights God’s covenant faithfulness across generations.

Theological Themes

• Covenant Possession: The conquest of Kirjath Sannah illustrates Israel’s mandate to occupy specific, divinely promised territory.
• Reward for Courage: Caleb offered honor—marriage into his household—to the valiant. Othniel’s victory and subsequent judgeship manifest God’s elevation of faithful servants.
• Generational Blessing: Caleb’s legacy passed to Achsah and Othniel, reinforcing the biblical principle that godly boldness blesses future generations (compare Psalm 112:1-2).
• Dependence on Provision: Achsah’s request for springs underscores that God’s gifts include not merely land but the resources to flourish in it (Deuteronomy 8:7-10).

Lessons for Ministry Today

1. Leadership offers opportunity: Caleb empowered the next generation rather than hoarding victories. Spiritual leaders are called to raise successors, not merely secure personal triumphs.
2. Courage invites divine partnership: Othniel’s action foreshadows the New Testament call to “act in faith” (James 2:17). Ministry fruit often follows bold obedience.
3. Ask largely of God: Achsah’s confident plea models prayer that seeks both territory and sustaining resources (John 15:7).
4. Steward the inheritance: As Israel transformed Kirjath Sannah into a center of life and worship, believers are charged to cultivate what has been entrusted to them (1 Corinthians 4:1-2).

Related Passages and Implications

Joshua 14:6-15 – Caleb’s earlier request for Hebron sets the stage for the Kirjath Sannah capture, showing continuity in faith-filled ambition.
Judges 3:9-11 – Othniel’s later judgeship confirms that early faithfulness at Kirjath Sannah prepared him for national deliverance.
Psalm 68:12-14 – Victory imagery echoes the pattern of enemies fleeing fortified cities like Kirjath Sannah when the LORD arises.

Summary

Kirjath Sannah, though mentioned only five times, occupies a pivotal place in the conquest narrative. Its capture demonstrates covenant obedience, courageous leadership, the transmission of godly heritage, and the necessity of practical provision within God’s gifts. As such, it remains a vivid reminder that every victory entrusted by the LORD must be inhabited, cultivated, and passed on for His glory.

Forms and Transliterations
סֵ֖פֶר סֵֽפֶר׃ סַנָּ֖ה סנה ספר ספר׃ san·nāh sanNah sannāh sê·p̄er Sefer sêp̄er
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Joshua 15:15
HEB: לְפָנִ֖ים קִרְיַת־ סֵֽפֶר׃
NAS: of Debir formerly was Kiriath-sepher.
KJV: of Debir before [was] Kirjathsepher.
INT: of Debir formerly was Kiriath-sepher

Joshua 15:16
HEB: אֶת־ קִרְיַת־ סֵ֖פֶר וּלְכָדָ֑הּ וְנָתַ֥תִּי
NAS: attacks Kiriath-sepher and captures
KJV: He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh
INT: who attacks Kiriath-sepher and captures will give

Joshua 15:49
HEB: וְדַנָּ֥ה וְקִרְיַת־ סַנָּ֖ה הִ֥יא דְבִֽר׃
NAS: and Dannah and Kiriath-sannah (that is, Debir),
KJV: And Dannah, and Kirjathsannah, which [is] Debir,
INT: and Dannah and Kiriath-sannah he which Debir

Judges 1:11
HEB: לְפָנִ֖ים קִרְיַת־ סֵֽפֶר׃
NAS: formerly [was] Kiriath-sepher).
KJV: of Debir before [was] Kirjathsepher:
INT: of Debir formerly Kirjathsepher

Judges 1:12
HEB: אֶת־ קִרְיַת־ סֵ֖פֶר וּלְכָדָ֑הּ וְנָתַ֥תִּי
NAS: attacks Kiriath-sepher and captures
KJV: He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh
INT: who attacks Kiriath-sepher and captures give

5 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 7158
5 Occurrences


san·nāh — 1 Occ.
sê·p̄er — 4 Occ.

7157
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