And the inhabitants of Jebus said to David, Thou shalt not come hither. Nevertheless David took the castle of Zion, which is the city of David.

1 CHRONICLES 11:5KJV
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1 Chronicles 11:5 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 11:5 mean?

1 Chronicles 11:5 describes how the people living in Jebus (later called Jerusalem) told David he could not enter their city, but David still managed to capture the fortress of Zion, which became known as the City of David. This verse shows David overcoming opposition to take control of a key stronghold.

The scene takes place as David is becoming king over all Israel. The "inhabitants of Jebus" were the Jebusites, a Canaanite people who controlled Jerusalem at the time. They tried to keep David out, but David and his men succeeded in taking the "castle of Zion," establishing it as his capital and giving it the name "City of David."

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 11:5

  • יְבוּס (Yevus, transliterated "Jebus") refers to the ancient name of Jerusalem before David captured it. This highlights that the city was not originally Israelite territory.
  • צִיּוֹן (Tsiyon, transliterated "Zion") means "Zion," which in this context refers to the fortress area of Jerusalem. This term later takes on great symbolic meaning in the Bible, but here it is a specific location.
  • מְצוּדָה (Metzudah, transliterated "castle" or "stronghold") means a fortress or strong defensive structure. This word emphasizes the challenge David faced in capturing a well-defended site.

Why 1 Chronicles 11:5 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that Jerusalem was always an Israelite city; it shows that David had to conquer it from the Jebusites.
  • The verse emphasizes David's determination and military skill, which were key to his leadership and the unification of Israel.
  • By calling the captured fortress "the city of David," the verse marks the beginning of Jerusalem's central role in Israel's history and identity.

Where else these words appear

“Jebus” Hebrew H2982 · used in 4 verses

  • Judges 19:10 But the man would not tarry that night, but he rose up and departed, and came over against Jebus, which is Jerusalem; and there were with him two asses saddled, his concubine also was with him.
  • Judges 19:11 And when they were by Jebus, the day was far spent; and the servant said unto his master, Come, I pray thee, and let us turn in into this city of the Jebusites, and lodge in it.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:4 And David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, which is Jebus; where the Jebusites were, the inhabitants of the land.

“castle” Hebrew H4686 · used in 22 verses

  • 1 Samuel 22:4 And he brought them before the king of Moab: and they dwelt with him all the while that David was in the hold.
  • 2 Samuel 23:14 And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.
  • Psalms 66:11 Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins.

“took” Hebrew H3920 · used in 112 verses

  • Numbers 21:32 And Moses sent to spy out Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof, and drove out the Amorites that were there.
  • Judges 9:45 And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and slew the people that was therein, and beat down the city, and sowed it with salt.
  • Proverbs 5:22 His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.