The Jebusites were an ancient Canaanite people who lived in and around Jerusalem before the Israelites conquered the land. They are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament as one of the seven nations of Canaan that God commanded Israel to drive out (Deuteronomy 7:1-2). Despite their opposition to Israel, the Jebusites played a crucial role in biblical history, as their stronghold, Jebus, eventually became Jerusalem, the city of David and the future site of the Temple.
Unlike the powerful empires of Babylon and Assyria, the Jebusites were a localized people who controlled a strategic, fortified city in the heart of Canaan. Though they resisted Israel’s conquest, their influence eventually faded, and they were absorbed into Israelite society after David captured their city. Their story reflects both the judgment of God upon Canaanite nations and the redemptive inclusion of foreigners into God’s purposes.
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Geography and Historical Background
The Jebusites inhabited the region around Jebus (later Jerusalem), located in the central hill country of Canaan. The city was strategically positioned on Mount Moriah and Mount Zion, providing natural defenses against invaders. Archaeological evidence suggests that Jebus was a well-fortified settlement with high walls, strong gates, and access to underground water sources such as the Gihon Spring, which made it difficult to conquer.
The Jebusites were part of the broader Canaanite civilization, which was known for its advanced urban centers, agricultural techniques, and religious practices. They likely spoke a dialect of the Northwest Semitic language, similar to other Canaanite peoples such as the Amorites and Hittites. Though relatively small compared to other groups, the Jebusites controlled a city that would become the spiritual and political center of Israel.
The Jebusites in the Bible: Major Events
1. Jebusites as One of the Canaanite Nations (Genesis 15:18-21, Deuteronomy 7:1-2, Joshua 3:10)
The Jebusites are first mentioned in the Bible as one of the nations inhabiting Canaan during Abraham’s time.
- Genesis 15:18-21 – God promised Abraham’s descendants the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.
- Deuteronomy 7:1-2 – Moses instructed Israel to drive out these nations completely to avoid spiritual corruption.
- Joshua 3:10 – The Jebusites were listed among the enemies that God would give into Israel’s hands.
Though the Jebusites were included in the Canaanite nations destined for destruction, they remained in their city for centuries, proving to be one of the most resilient groups in resisting Israelite conquest.
2. The Failure to Conquer Jebus (Joshua 15:63, Judges 1:21)
During the conquest of Canaan under Joshua, Israel achieved many victories, but they failed to fully subdue Jebus.
- Joshua 15:63 – The tribe of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites, and they continued to live in Jerusalem.
- Judges 1:21 – The tribe of Benjamin also failed to expel them, and they remained in the city for many generations.
This failure had long-term consequences, as the Jebusites continued to hold a strong defensive position in the heart of Israelite territory. Their presence in Jerusalem prevented Israel from fully securing the land until the time of King David.
3. David’s Capture of Jebus (2 Samuel 5:6-10, 1 Chronicles 11:4-9)
The turning point in the Jebusites’ history came during the reign of King David.
- 2 Samuel 5:6-8 – When David became king, he sought to capture Jebus, which was still controlled by the Jebusites. The inhabitants mocked him, saying that even the blind and the lame could defend the city.
- 1 Chronicles 11:4-9 – David and his men used the water shaft to enter the city and defeated the Jebusites.
- David renamed the city Jerusalem and made it the capital of Israel and his royal residence.
This victory was significant because Jerusalem became the religious and political center of Israel, eventually housing the Ark of the Covenant and later the Temple of Solomon. The stronghold that once belonged to Israel’s enemies became the dwelling place of God’s name.
4. The Jebusites and the Site of the Temple (2 Samuel 24:18-25, 1 Chronicles 21:18-30)
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Jebusites’ legacy is their connection to the site of the Temple in Jerusalem.
- 2 Samuel 24:18-25 – After David sinned by taking a census, a plague struck Israel. The prophet Gad instructed David to build an altar on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite to stop the plague.
- 1 Chronicles 21:22-26 – Araunah offered the site to David for free, but David insisted on paying full price, declaring, “I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing” (1 Chronicles 21:24, NIV).
- This site later became the location where Solomon built the Temple (2 Chronicles 3:1).
The Jebusites, once enemies of Israel, played an indirect role in establishing the holiest site in Judaism. This demonstrates how God can transform even former opposition into part of His divine plan.
Religious Practices and Influence of the Jebusites
As Canaanites, the Jebusites worshiped a pantheon of gods, similar to the:
- Baal – A fertility god, commonly worshiped by Canaanite peoples.
- Asherah – A goddess of fertility, often associated with wooden poles or sacred trees.
- El – The chief god of the Canaanite pantheon.
Their religious practices likely included ritual sacrifices, temple prostitution, and idolatry, which were strongly condemned by God (Deuteronomy 12:29-31). Because of this spiritual corruption, God commanded Israel to remove them from the land.
However, after Jerusalem was taken by David, the city became a center of monotheistic worship, replacing Jebusite idolatry with the worship of Yahweh. The transformation of Jebus into Jerusalem, the city of God, symbolizes God’s power to redeem places and peoples for His purposes.
Spiritual Lessons from the Jebusites
- God Fulfills His Promises
- The Jebusites resisted Israel for centuries, but in the end, God’s plan prevailed.
- What He promises, He will always bring to completion.
- Delayed Obedience Leads to Struggles
- Israel’s failure to fully conquer Jebus led to prolonged conflict.
- When God commands action, partial obedience can lead to unnecessary hardship.
- God Can Redeem What Was Once Opposed to Him
- Jebus, once a pagan stronghold, became Jerusalem, the city of God.
- No place or person is beyond God’s transformative power.
- Sacrificial Worship Matters to God
- David refused to offer sacrifices that cost him nothing.
- True worship requires a heart willing to give God the best, not just what is convenient.
Conclusion
The Jebusites, though a small Canaanite group, played a crucial role in biblical history. Their city, Jebus, became Jerusalem, the capital of Israel and the dwelling place of God’s name. Though they initially resisted Israel, their legacy was ultimately absorbed into God’s greater plan. David’s conquest of their city and the purchase of Araunah’s threshing floor for the Temple site illustrate God’s sovereignty over nations and His power to transform what was once opposed to Him into something sacred.
2 Samuel 5:7
“Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David.”
All Scripture quoted from:
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
