Joshua 15:63
As for the Jebusites the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them out: but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem unto this day.
Original Language Analysis
וְאֶת
H854
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
1 of 18
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
וַיֵּ֨שֶׁב
dwell
H3427
וַיֵּ֨שֶׁב
dwell
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
3 of 18
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
בִּיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם
at Jerusalem
H3389
בִּיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם
at Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
4 of 18
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָוּכְל֥וּ
could
H3201
יָוּכְל֥וּ
could
Strong's:
H3201
Word #:
6 of 18
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
בְּנֵ֤י
the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֤י
the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
7 of 18
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יְהוּדָה֙
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָה֙
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
8 of 18
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
לְהֽוֹרִישָׁ֑ם
not drive them out
H3423
לְהֽוֹרִישָׁ֑ם
not drive them out
Strong's:
H3423
Word #:
9 of 18
to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish
וַיֵּ֨שֶׁב
dwell
H3427
וַיֵּ֨שֶׁב
dwell
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
10 of 18
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
אֶת
H854
אֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
12 of 18
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
בְּנֵ֤י
the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֤י
the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
13 of 18
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יְהוּדָה֙
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָה֙
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
14 of 18
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
בִּיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם
at Jerusalem
H3389
בִּיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם
at Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
15 of 18
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
עַ֖ד
H5704
עַ֖ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
16 of 18
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
Cross References
Judges 1:21And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem unto this day.Judges 1:8Now the children of Judah had fought against Jerusalem, and had taken it, and smitten it with the edge of the sword, and set the city on fire.
Historical Context
Jerusalem (Jebus) sat on a ridge surrounded by valleys on three sides, making it naturally defensible. Its elevation (2,500 feet), water source (Gihon Spring), and position controlling north-south routes made it strategically valuable. The Jebusites' ability to hold it for approximately 400 years (from Joshua to David) demonstrates the strength of its position. David's eventual conquest (circa 1000 BC) finally fulfilled what Judah failed to accomplish.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Judah's failure to fully drive out the Jebusites warn against incomplete obedience in areas God has called us to conquer?
- What does the eventual conquest under David teach about God's long-term faithfulness despite human failure?
- How might tolerating 'Jebusites' (known sins, compromises) in our lives create ongoing problems that require later, more difficult confrontation?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
As for the Jebusites the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them out—This sobering verse acknowledges incomplete conquest. The Jebusites (יְבוּסִי) remained in Jerusalem until David finally conquered it centuries later (2 Samuel 5:6-9). The phrase "could not drive them out" raises questions: Was this inability due to Jebusite strength, Judahite weakness, or incomplete faith?
Judges 1:8 records that Judah did attack and burn Jerusalem, yet Jebusites remained. This suggests the city was taken but not held, possibly due to its strong defensive position. "But the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem unto this day"—the phrase "unto this day" indicates this was written before David's capture of Jerusalem. The Jebusite presence served as perpetual reminder of incomplete obedience and its consequences. What God commands, He enables; failure to fully possess what God gives results from inadequate faith, not inadequate power.