Who was Debir in the Bible?

Debir was the Amorite king of the city of Eglon. He is mentioned in the Book of Joshua as one of the five Amorite kings who formed a coalition to fight against the Israelites led by Joshua (Joshua 10:3).

What happened to King Debir in the Bible?

Debir and his allied kings were defeated by Joshua's army at the Battle of Gibeon. After their defeat, they were executed and their bodies were hung on trees until evening, after which they were buried in a cave (Joshua 10:16-27).

Why is King Debir significant in the Bible?

Debir's story is significant as part of the narrative of Israel's conquest of Canaan, demonstrating God's fulfillment of His promise to give the land to Israel. His defeat, as part of the southern coalition, was a major victory for Joshua (Joshua 10:40-42).

Debir

Old TestamentMaleKing

Debir was the Amorite king of Eglon who joined a coalition against Joshua but was defeated. (Jos.10.3)

Debir

Biography

Debir was the king of Eglon, one of five Amorite kings who formed a military coalition against the Gibeonites after Gibeon made peace with Joshua and Israel (Joshua 10:3). The alliance, which also included the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, and Lachish, marched against Gibeon to punish its defection. Joshua responded swiftly, marching through the night from Gilgal to Gibeon's defense. In the battle that followed, the Lord threw the coalition into confusion and hurled great hailstones on them as they fled. Debir and his four royal allies were captured hiding in a cave at Makkedah, executed, and hanged on trees until evening (Joshua 10:26), in accordance with the laws of holy war.

Significance

Debir's story serves as a vivid illustration of divine warfare in the conquest narrative. His defeat, alongside that of the other four kings, was interpreted by Joshua and Israel as proof that the Lord was fighting on Israel's behalf, confirmed by the miraculous hailstorm and the famous extended day (Joshua 10:11–14). Theologically, the episode demonstrates that organized resistance against God's redemptive purposes, however militarily formidable, cannot ultimately prevail. The kings' public execution and burial also underscore the completeness of God's judgment against Canaanite opposition, functioning in the narrative as a boundary marker signaling the inexorable advance of Israel's inheritance of the Promised Land.

Authority Records

Wikidata VIAF GND

Verse Appearances (1)

Josh

Josh 10:3

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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