Topical Encyclopedia The Jebusites were one of the ancient Canaanite tribes mentioned frequently in the Old Testament. They are often listed among the inhabitants of the Promised Land that the Israelites were commanded to dispossess. The Jebusites are most notably associated with the city of Jerusalem, which was originally known as Jebus.Biblical References and Historical Context The Jebusites are first mentioned in the Table of Nations in Genesis 10:16, where they are listed as descendants of Canaan, the son of Ham. This places them among the various Canaanite tribes that occupied the land before the arrival of the Israelites. In Genesis 15:18-21, God makes a covenant with Abram, promising him the land of several tribes, including the Jebusites: "On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, 'To your descendants I have given this land—from the river of Egypt to the great River Euphrates—the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites, and Jebusites.'" During the conquest of Canaan under Joshua, the Jebusites are mentioned as one of the peoples that the Israelites were to drive out. Joshua 15:63 notes, "But the descendants of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites who lived in Jerusalem. So to this day, the Jebusites live there among the descendants of Judah." This indicates that the Jebusites maintained control over Jerusalem even after much of the land had been conquered. Jerusalem and the Jebusites The city of Jerusalem, known as Jebus during the time of the Jebusites, was a significant stronghold. In Judges 1:21, it is recorded that the Benjamites failed to drive out the Jebusites from Jerusalem: "The Benjamites, however, failed to drive out the Jebusites living in Jerusalem. To this day the Jebusites live there with the Benjamites." This suggests that the Jebusites were a resilient and entrenched people. The Jebusites continued to inhabit Jerusalem until the time of King David. In 2 Samuel 5:6-7, David captures the city: "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,' thinking, 'David cannot get in here.' Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David)." This marked the end of Jebusite control over Jerusalem and the beginning of its establishment as the political and spiritual center of Israel. Cultural and Religious Significance The Jebusites, like other Canaanite tribes, practiced a polytheistic religion that was often at odds with the monotheistic worship of Yahweh by the Israelites. The presence of the Jebusites and their religious practices posed a continual challenge to the Israelites, who were commanded to remain separate from the surrounding nations and their idolatrous customs. Despite their eventual defeat, the Jebusites left a lasting legacy through the city of Jerusalem. The city's strategic location and fortifications made it a key site throughout biblical history. The Jebusite influence is also seen in the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, which David purchased and later became the site of Solomon's Temple (2 Samuel 24:18-25). Legacy The Jebusites, though eventually assimilated or displaced, played a crucial role in the biblical narrative of the conquest and settlement of the Promised Land. Their association with Jerusalem, a city of profound religious and historical significance, underscores their importance in the biblical account. The transition of Jerusalem from a Jebusite stronghold to the City of David marks a pivotal moment in the establishment of Israel's monarchy and religious identity. Smith's Bible Dictionary Jebusites(descendants of Jebus), The, were descended from the third son of Canaan. (Genesis 10:16; 1 Chronicles 1:14) The actual people first appear in the invaluable report of the spies. (Numbers 13:29) When Jabin organized his rising against Joshua, the Jebusites joined him. (Joshua 11:3) "Jebus, which is Jerusalem," lost its king in the slaughter of Beth-horon, (Joshua 10:1,5,26) comp. Josh 12:10 Was sacked and burned by the men of Judah, (Judges 1:21) and its citadel finally scaled and occupied by David. (2 Samuel 5:6) After this they emerge from the darkness but once, in the person of Araunah the Jebusite, "Araunah the king," who appears before us in true kingly dignity in his well-known transaction with David. (2 Samuel 24:23; 1 Chronicles 21:24,25) ATS Bible Dictionary JebusitesSee CANAANITES. Easton's Bible Dictionary The name of the original inhabitants of Jebus, mentioned frequently among the seven nations doomed to destruction (Genesis 10:16; 15:21; Exodus 3:8, 17; 13:5, etc.). At the time of the arrival of the Israelites in Palestine they were ruled by Adonizedek (Joshua 10:1, 23). They were defeated by Joshua, and their king was slain; but they were not entirely driven out of Jebus till the time of David, who made it the capital of his kingdom instead of Hebron. The site on which the temple was afterwards built belonged to Araunah, a Jebusite, from whom it was purchased by David, who refused to accept it as a free gift (2 Samuel 24:16-25; 1 Chronicles 21:24, 25). Strong's Hebrew 2983. Yebusi -- inhab. of Jebus... Jebusite. Word Origin from Yebus Definition inhab. of Jebus NASB Word Usage Jebusite (25), Jebusites (16). Jebusites. Patrial from ... /hebrew/2983.htm - 6k Library How David Laid Siege to Jerusalem; and when He had Taken the City ... One Fold and one Shepherd The Tears of Christ. Psalm LXV. Psalm LXII. Afraid of Giants The Historical Books. The Earlier Hebrew Histories. The Acts of Barnabus. Joshua's Conquest. Thesaurus Jebusites (29 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance Jebusites (29 Occurrences). Genesis 15:21 the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites." (WEB KJV DBY WBS NIV). ... /j/jebusites.htm - 17k Perizzites (23 Occurrences) Hivites (24 Occurrences) Jeb'usites (30 Occurrences) Jebus (5 Occurrences) Jebusi (2 Occurrences) Girgashites (7 Occurrences) Jebusite (39 Occurrences) Zion (169 Occurrences) Lame (35 Occurrences) Resources Who were the Jebusites? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Araunah the Jebusite? | GotQuestions.org Who were the Perizzites in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Jebusites (29 Occurrences)Genesis 15:21 Exodus 3:8 Exodus 3:17 Exodus 13:5 Exodus 23:23 Exodus 33:2 Exodus 34:11 Numbers 13:29 Deuteronomy 7:1 Deuteronomy 20:17 Joshua 3:10 Joshua 9:1 Joshua 11:3 Joshua 12:8 Joshua 15:63 Joshua 24:11 Judges 1:21 Judges 3:5 Judges 19:11 2 Samuel 5:6 2 Samuel 5:8 1 Kings 9:20 1 Chronicles 1:14 1 Chronicles 11:4 1 Chronicles 11:6 2 Chronicles 8:7 Ezra 9:1 Nehemiah 9:8 Zechariah 9:7 Subtopics Jebusites: Conquered by Joshua Jebusites: Jerusalem Within the Territory of Jebusites: Land of, Given to Abraham and his Descendants Jebusites: Not Exterminated, But They Intermarry With the Israelites Jebusites: One of the Tribes of Canaan Jebusites: They Pay Taxes to Solomon Related Terms |