The Jebusites were a Canaanite tribe mentioned frequently in the Old Testament, known for their stronghold in the ancient city of Jebus, which later became Jerusalem. The Jebusites are first introduced in the Table of Nations in Genesis 10:16, where they are listed among the descendants of Canaan, the son of Ham. Their presence in the land of Canaan is significant, as they occupied a central and strategic location that would later become the capital of Israel.

Historical Context and Biblical References

The Jebusites are noted for their fortified city, Jebus, which was situated on the site of what is now Jerusalem. This city was strategically located on the border between the territories of the tribes of Benjamin and Judah. In Joshua 15:8, the boundary of the tribe of Judah is described as passing by the valley of the son of Hinnom, at the southern slope of the Jebusite city, which is Jerusalem. Similarly, in Joshua 18:28, the city of Jebus is included in the list of cities within the inheritance of the tribe of Benjamin.

Despite the Israelite conquest of Canaan under Joshua, the Jebusites maintained control over Jerusalem for several centuries. Judges 1:21 states, "The Benjamites, however, failed to drive out the Jebusites living in Jerusalem; to this day the Jebusites live there with the Benjamites." This coexistence continued until the time of King David.

David's Conquest of Jerusalem

The turning point in the history of the Jebusites came with King David's conquest of Jerusalem. 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,' thinking, 'David cannot get in here.' Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David)." This decisive victory established Jerusalem as the political and spiritual center of Israel.

David's conquest of Jerusalem was not only a military achievement but also a fulfillment of God's promise to give the Israelites the land of Canaan. The capture of the Jebusite stronghold allowed David to unite the tribes of Israel under a central monarchy and establish a capital that would become the focal point of Jewish worship and identity.

The Jebusites in Later History

After David's conquest, the Jebusites were assimilated into Israelite society. In 1 Chronicles 11:4-5, the account of David's capture of Jerusalem is reiterated, emphasizing the city's significance as the City of David. The Jebusites are mentioned sporadically in later biblical texts, often in genealogical or historical contexts, but their distinct identity gradually faded as they were absorbed into the broader Israelite population.

The legacy of the Jebusites is most prominently seen in the city of Jerusalem itself, which became the site of Solomon's Temple and the center of Jewish worship. The city's enduring significance in biblical history and its role as a symbol of God's covenant with Israel can be traced back to its Jebusite origins and David's conquest.

Conclusion

The Jebusites, as the original inhabitants of Jerusalem, played a crucial role in the biblical narrative of the Promised Land. Their city, Jebus, became the focal point of Israelite history and religion, marking the transition from a tribal confederation to a united monarchy under David. The Jebusites' legacy is preserved in the enduring significance of Jerusalem as a city of profound spiritual and historical importance.Joshua 18:28
And Zelah, Eleph, and Jebusi, which is Jerusalem, Gibeath, and Kirjath; fourteen cities with their villages. This is the inheritance of the children of Benjamin according to their families.
Nave's Topical Index

Canaan
... Next came the Hittites, to whom the Jebusites of Jerusalem may have ... fact, the centre
of the ancient civilised world, and the mixture of races within it was ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter ii canaan.htm

The Israelites
... shelter of the block of mountains within which stood ... Before the Philistine war was
over, Jerusalem had fallen ... The stronghold of the Jebusites was one of the ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... lesser numbers, and not so securely entrenched within their fortresses ... adjoined on
the south that of Jerusalem, the fortress of the Jebusites, and on ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

And ii.
... removed who have obstinately preserved within themselves the ... Concerning the situation
of Jerusalem, Josephus, de BJ ... by the ridicule of the Jebusites, when David ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i and ii.htm

The Mystery
... them a place of refuge in their territory, or to ... structure and dimensions of the
New Jerusalem, is a ... built it, when taken from the Jebusites, externally with ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the mystery 2.htm

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