Topical Encyclopedia The Jebusites were one of the ancient Canaanite tribes inhabiting the land of Canaan prior to the Israelite conquest. They are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament as one of the seven nations that the Israelites were commanded to dispossess and destroy upon entering the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 7:1). The Jebusites are most notably associated with the city of Jebus, which later became Jerusalem.Historical Background 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. As inhabitants of the land of Canaan, they were part of the broader Canaanite culture, which was characterized by its polytheistic religion and practices that were abominable to the Israelites, such as child sacrifice and idolatry. Conquest by Joshua The conquest of the Jebusites is part of the larger narrative of the Israelite conquest of Canaan under the leadership of Joshua. In Joshua 10, the Jebusites are included in the coalition of Amorite kings who opposed Israel. Although the initial conquest of the land is described in Joshua 10-12, the Jebusites are specifically mentioned in Joshua 15:63: "But the descendants of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites who lived in Jerusalem. So the Jebusites dwell with the descendants of Judah in Jerusalem to this day" . Despite this initial failure to completely drive out the Jebusites, the city of Jebus remained a significant stronghold until the time of King David. The Jebusites continued to inhabit Jerusalem, maintaining control over the city until David's reign. David's Conquest of Jerusalem The definitive conquest of the Jebusites occurred during the reign of King David. In 2 Samuel 5:6-9, David captured the fortress of Zion, which is the City of David, from the Jebusites. The account describes how David and his men took the city by surprise, despite the Jebusites' confidence in their strong defenses. This victory established Jerusalem as the political and spiritual center of Israel, and it became known as the City of David. Cultural and Religious Significance The Jebusites, like other Canaanite tribes, were known for their idolatrous practices, which were in direct opposition to the worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel. The conquest and subsequent integration of Jerusalem into the Israelite kingdom marked a significant turning point in the religious history of Israel. Jerusalem would later become the site of Solomon's Temple, the central place of worship for the Israelites. Legacy The Jebusites, as a distinct people, eventually assimilated into the Israelite population following their conquest. Their legacy is primarily tied to the city of Jerusalem, which remains a focal point of biblical history and prophecy. The narrative of their conquest underscores the fulfillment of God's promise to give the land of Canaan to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as well as the establishment of Jerusalem as a city of great significance in the biblical narrative. Nave's Topical Index Joshua 10:1Now it came to pass, when Adonizedec king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them; Nave's Topical Index Joshua 11:1 Joshua 12:1 Library 'The Waters Saw Thee; they were Afraid' Psalm LXII. The Israelites Canaan The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus And ii. 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 |
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