Introduction:
Jebusi is a term found in the Bible that refers to the ancient city of Jerusalem before it was conquered by the Israelites. The name is derived from the Jebusites, a Canaanite tribe that inhabited the region prior to its capture by King David. The Jebusites are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament as one of the several Canaanite nations that the Israelites encountered upon entering the Promised Land.

Biblical References:
The city of Jebusi is first mentioned in the context of the territorial boundaries of the tribes of Israel. In Joshua 15:8, the boundary of the tribe of Judah is described: "Then the border went up by the Valley of Ben Hinnom to the southern slope of the Jebusite city (that is, Jerusalem)." This indicates that Jebusi was synonymous with Jerusalem, even before it became the political and spiritual center of Israel.

In Judges 19:10-11, the city is again referred to as Jebus: "But the man was unwilling to spend the night, so he got up and departed, and came to a place opposite Jebus (that is, Jerusalem). With him were the two saddled donkeys and his concubine. When they were near Jebus and the day was almost gone, the servant said to his master, 'Please, let us turn aside into this city of the Jebusites and spend the night there.'"

Historical Context:
The Jebusites were one of the original inhabitants of the land of Canaan, and their city, Jebusi, was strategically located on the hill country of Judah. The city was well-fortified, making it a significant stronghold in the region. Despite the Israelites' conquest of Canaan, the Jebusites managed to retain control of Jebusi for a considerable period.

Conquest by King David:
The capture of Jebusi by King David is a pivotal moment in biblical history. In 2 Samuel 5:6-7, it is recorded: "Now the king and his men marched to Jerusalem against the Jebusites who inhabited the land. And the Jebusites said to David, 'You will never get in here; even the blind and lame can repel you.' For they thought, 'David cannot get in here.' Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David)." This event marked the beginning of Jerusalem's establishment as the capital of Israel and the central location for worship.

Significance in Israelite History:
The conquest of Jebusi and its transformation into Jerusalem holds profound significance in Israelite history. It became the political and religious heart of the nation, housing the Ark of the Covenant and later the Temple built by Solomon. Jerusalem's centrality in biblical prophecy and its role as the City of David underscore its importance throughout the Scriptures.

Cultural and Theological Implications:
The transition from Jebusi to Jerusalem symbolizes the fulfillment of God's promises to the Israelites regarding the land of Canaan. It also represents the establishment of a unified kingdom under David, a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). The city's capture and subsequent development into a spiritual center highlight the themes of divine providence and covenant faithfulness that permeate the biblical narrative.

Conclusion:
While the Jebusites and their city, Jebusi, are often overshadowed by the later prominence of Jerusalem, their mention in the Bible provides valuable insights into the early history of the region and the unfolding of God's plan for His people.Jebusi

trodden under foot; mangers

Jebusi

(from Jebus), the name employed for the city of JEBUS. (Joshua 15:8; 18:16,28)

JEBUS; JEBUSI; JEBUSITE

je'-bus, jeb'-u-si, jeb'-u-zit (yebhuc, ha-yebhuci): "Jebus" is an old name for Jerusalem (Judges 19:10, 11 1 Chronicles 4:5 parallel 2 Samuel 5:6-9, "the same is Jerus"; see preceding article). "Jebusi" (literally, "Jebusite") is also used as a name for the city in the King James Version (Joshua 18:16, 28; compare Joshua 15:8); the Revised Version (British and American) correctly renders "Jebusite" (see JERUSALEM). "Jebusites," for the people (in the King James Version Genesis 15:21 Exodus 3:8, 17, etc.), does not occur in Hebrew in the plural; hence, in the Revised Version (British and American) is always rendered in the singular, "Jebusite." The "Jebusite" is said in Genesis 10:16 1 Chronicles 1:14 to be the 3rd son of Canaan, i.e. of the country of Canaan. Elsewhere he represents a tribe separate from the Canaanites. He stands between Heth and the Amorite (compare Numbers 13:29 Joshua 11:3 Ezekiel 16:3, 15). In the lists of the peoples inhabiting Palestine the "Jebusite" is always placed last, a fact indicative, probably, of their smaller number.

To what race the Jebusites belonged is doubtful. Their name does not seem Semitic, and they do not make their appearance till after the patriarchal period.

The original name of Jerusalem was Babylonian, Uru-Salim, "the city of Salim," shortened into Salem in Genesis 14:18 and in the inscriptions of the Egyptian kings Ramses II and Ramses III. In the Tell el-Amarna Letters (1400 B.C.) Jerusalem is still known as Uru-Salim, and its king bears a Hittite name, implying that it was at the time in the possession of the Hittites. His enemies, however, were closing around him, and one of the tablets shows that the city was eventually captured and its king slain. These enemies would seem to have been the Jebusites, since it is after this period that the name "Jebus" makes its appearance for the first time in the Old Testament (Judges 19:10, 11).

The Jebusite king at the time of the conquest was Adoni-zedek, who met his death at Beth-boron (Joshua 10:1; in Joshua 10:5 the word "Amorite" is used in its Babylonian sense to denote the inhabitants of Canaan generally). The Jebusites were a mountain tribe (Numbers 13:29 Joshua 11:3). Their capital "Jebus" was taken by the men of Judah and burned with fire (Judges 18), but they regained possession of, and held, the fortress till the time of David (2 Samuel 5:6).

When Jerusalem was taken by David, the lives and property of its Jebusite inhabitants were spared, and they continued to inhabit the temple-hill, David and his followers settling in the new City of David on Mt. Zion (Joshua 15:8, 63 Judges 1:21; Judges 19:11). And as Araunah is called "king" (2 Samuel 24:23), we may conclude that their last ruler also had been lowed to live. His name is non-Sem, and the various spellings of it (compare 1 Chronicles 21:15, "Ornan") indicate that the Hebrew writers had some difficulty in pronouncing it. The Jebusites seem ultimately to have blended with the Israelite population.

James Orr

Jebusi (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia JEBUS; JEBUSI; JEBUSITE. je'-bus ... population. James
Orr. Multi-Version Concordance Jebusi (2 Occurrences). Joshua ...
/j/jebusi.htm - 11k

Jebus (5 Occurrences)
... the first centuries of Israel's occupation of Canaan. EWG Masterman. JEBUS;
JEBUSI; JEBUSITE. je'-bus, jeb'-u-si, jeb'-u-zit (yebhuc ...
/j/jebus.htm - 13k

Jebusite (39 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia JEBUS; JEBUSI; JEBUSITE. je'-bus,
jeb'-u-si, jeb'-u-zit (yebhuc, ha-yebhuci): "Jebus" is an old ...
/j/jebusite.htm - 25k

Kirjath (1 Occurrence)
... Kirjath (1 Occurrence). Joshua 18:28 And Zelah, Eleph, and Jebusi, which is Jerusalem,
Gibeath, and Kirjath; fourteen cities with their villages. ...
/k/kirjath.htm - 7k

Gibeah (52 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). Joshua 18:28 and Zelah, Eleph, and Jebusi,
that is, Jerusalem, Gibeah, Kirjath: fourteen cities and their hamlets. ...
/g/gibeah.htm - 30k

Giants (18 Occurrences)
... the valley of the son of Hinnom, and which is in the valley of the giants on the
north, and descended to the valley of Hinnom, to the side of Jebusi on the ...
/g/giants.htm - 19k

Extremity (46 Occurrences)
... valley of the son of Hinnom, which 'is' in the valley of the Rephaim northward,
and hath gone down the valley of Hinnom unto the side of Jebusi southward, and ...
/e/extremity.htm - 22k

Enrogel (4 Occurrences)
... the valley of the son of Hinnom, and which is in the valley of the giants on the
north, and descended to the valley of Hinnom, to the side of Jebusi on the ...
/e/enrogel.htm - 15k

Descended (64 Occurrences)
... the valley of the son of Hinnom, and which is in the valley of the giants on the
north, and descended to the valley of Hinnom, to the side of Jebusi on the ...
/d/descended.htm - 25k

Lieth (135 Occurrences)
... the valley of the son of Hinnom, and which is in the valley of the giants on the
north, and descended to the valley of Hinnom, to the side of Jebusi on the ...
/l/lieth.htm - 36k

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