Question 1

What does Joshua 15:49 mean?

Accepted Answer

Joshua 15:49 lists three towns—Dannah, Kirjathsannah (which is also called Debir)—as part of the territory allotted to the tribe of Judah. This verse is part of a larger description of the specific towns and regions assigned to Judah after the Israelites entered the land of Canaan. In the context of the book of Joshua, these place names are being recorded as part of an official boundary list. Joshua, as the leader of Israel, is overseeing the division of the land among the tribes. Naming these towns shows attention to detail and helps establish the historical and legal claims of Judah to this region.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind Joshua 15:49

Accepted Answer

דַּנָּה (Dannah, transliterated "Dannah") is the name of a town. The meaning is uncertain, but it is included here as a specific location within Judah’s territory. קִרְיַת סַנָּה (Kirjathsannah, transliterated "Kirjath-sannah") means "city of Sannah." The verse notes that this town is also called דְּבִיר (Debir, transliterated "Debir"), which may mean "sanctuary" or "oracle." The double naming highlights that Kirjathsannah and Debir refer to the same place, which helps readers connect different references to this town elsewhere in the Bible.

Question 3

Why Joshua 15:49 matters

Accepted Answer

Joshua 15:49 clarifies that Kirjathsannah and Debir are two names for the same town, which helps readers avoid confusion when these names appear in other passages. The verse shows the careful record-keeping and organization involved in dividing the land among the tribes, reflecting the importance of territory and inheritance in ancient Israel. Including these specific towns in the list connects this verse to the broader narrative of Joshua, where the fulfillment of God’s promise to give the land to Israel is being documented in detail.

Joshua 15:49 (KJV)