This verse shows how God’s promises extend to even the smallest locations in His people’s inheritance.
“And Dannah and Kiriath-sannah (that is Debir)” (v.49) describes part of the land allotment given to the tribe of Judah as they settled in Canaan after Israel’s conquest under Joshua. Both Dannah and Kiriath-sannah (here called Debir) were situated in the hill country region of Judah’s domain. Their inclusion in this listing highlights the completeness of Judah’s inheritance, extending over a wide stretch of rugged terrain. The original name, Kiriath-sannah, is often referred to in other passages as Kiriath-sepher, which can mean “city of books” or “city of learning,” reflecting the area’s importance in the region’s history.
Debir, previously captured by the Israelites (Joshua 10:38-39), appears again here to show how the land was systematically distributed according to the LORD’s promise to give Israel a homeland. Because Joshua 15 details Judah’s boundaries and cities, this verse underscores God’s faithfulness to fulfill His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The repeated mention of Debir in Scripture connects the area to various accounts—earlier when Othniel took the city (Joshua 15:15-17) and later as part of the broader Judahite territory—demonstrating how the promised land was truly possessed by the Israelites.
In a broader theological sense, these enumerations of cities portray the tangible nature of God’s blessings. He promised land to His people, and He led them to specific locations, each marked out for His purpose. The listing of Dannah and Debir here, though short in words, stands as a testimony that every site, whether large or small, mattered to God’s plan of inheritance. Later prophecy looks beyond the physical possession of land to the Messiah’s greater inheritance (Psalm 2:8), reminding believers that God continues to secure every promise He makes.
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Joshua 15:49 meaning
“And Dannah and Kiriath-sannah (that is Debir)” (v.49) describes part of the land allotment given to the tribe of Judah as they settled in Canaan after Israel’s conquest under Joshua. Both Dannah and Kiriath-sannah (here called Debir) were situated in the hill country region of Judah’s domain. Their inclusion in this listing highlights the completeness of Judah’s inheritance, extending over a wide stretch of rugged terrain. The original name, Kiriath-sannah, is often referred to in other passages as Kiriath-sepher, which can mean “city of books” or “city of learning,” reflecting the area’s importance in the region’s history.
Debir, previously captured by the Israelites (Joshua 10:38-39), appears again here to show how the land was systematically distributed according to the LORD’s promise to give Israel a homeland. Because Joshua 15 details Judah’s boundaries and cities, this verse underscores God’s faithfulness to fulfill His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The repeated mention of Debir in Scripture connects the area to various accounts—earlier when Othniel took the city (Joshua 15:15-17) and later as part of the broader Judahite territory—demonstrating how the promised land was truly possessed by the Israelites.
In a broader theological sense, these enumerations of cities portray the tangible nature of God’s blessings. He promised land to His people, and He led them to specific locations, each marked out for His purpose. The listing of Dannah and Debir here, though short in words, stands as a testimony that every site, whether large or small, mattered to God’s plan of inheritance. Later prophecy looks beyond the physical possession of land to the Messiah’s greater inheritance (Psalm 2:8), reminding believers that God continues to secure every promise He makes.