The Jebusites were one of the ancient Canaanite tribes mentioned frequently in the Old Testament. They are traditionally considered descendants of Canaan, the son of Ham, as outlined in the Table of Nations in Genesis 10:15-16: "Canaan was the father of Sidon his firstborn, and of the Hittites, Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites." The Jebusites are most notably associated with the city of Jerusalem, which was originally known as Jebus.

Historical Context and Biblical References

The Jebusites are first mentioned in the context of the land promised to Abraham and his descendants. In Genesis 15:18-21, God makes a covenant with Abram, promising him the land inhabited by various tribes, including the Jebusites: "On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, 'To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates—the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites, and Jebusites.'"

The Jebusites continued to inhabit the land during the time of the Israelite conquest under Joshua. In Joshua 15:63, it is noted that the tribe of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites from Jerusalem: "But the descendants of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites who lived in Jerusalem. So the Jebusites dwell there with the descendants of Judah to this day."

Conquest and Integration

The Jebusites maintained control of Jerusalem until the time of King David. In 2 Samuel 5:6-7, David captures the stronghold of Zion, which becomes the City of David: "Now the king and his men marched to Jerusalem against the Jebusites who inhabited the land. And the Jebusites said to David, 'You will never get in here; even the blind and lame can repel you,' thinking, 'David cannot get in here.' Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David)."

Following David's conquest, the Jebusites were absorbed into the Israelite kingdom. Despite their initial resistance, they became part of the diverse population of Jerusalem. The integration of the Jebusites is further illustrated in the account of Araunah the Jebusite, from whom David purchased the threshing floor to build an altar to the Lord (2 Samuel 24:18-25).

Cultural and Theological Significance

The Jebusites, like other Canaanite tribes, were often seen as a symbol of the pagan cultures that the Israelites were commanded to displace. Their presence in the biblical narrative underscores the challenges faced by the Israelites in fully possessing the Promised Land. The eventual conquest of Jerusalem by David and the integration of the Jebusites highlight themes of divine promise, fulfillment, and the establishment of Jerusalem as a central place of worship and governance for the Israelites.

The Jebusites' story serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness to His promises and the unfolding of His plan through the history of Israel. Their integration into Israelite society also reflects the broader biblical theme of God's sovereignty over all nations and peoples.Joshua 24:11
And you went over Jordan, and came to Jericho: and the men of Jericho fought against you, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; and I delivered them into your hand.
Nave's Topical Index

2983. Yebusi -- inhab. of Jebus
... Jebusite. Word Origin from Yebus Definition inhab. of Jebus NASB Word Usage
Jebusite (25), Jebusites (16). Jebusites. Patrial from ...
/hebrew/2983.htm - 6k

How David Laid Siege to Jerusalem; and when He had Taken the City ...
... 1. Now the Jebusites, who were the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and were by extraction
Canaanites, shut their gates, and placed the blind, and the lame, and all ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 how david laid.htm

One Fold and one Shepherd
... and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah, 6.
And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/one fold and one shepherd.htm

The Tears of Christ.
... Looking back into the past we see the city as the stronghold of the heathen Jebusites,
perched on her rocky crest, and holding out when every other fenced city ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon xlv the tears of.htm

Psalm LXV.
... That Jerusalem in the land of the Jebusites was builded: for at first it used to
be called Jebus, [2541] from thence the nation of the Jebusites was expelled ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxv.htm

Psalm LXII.
... was being builded, it was not builded in a place where there was not a city, but
there was a city at first which was called Jebus, whence the Jebusites. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxii.htm

Afraid of Giants
... The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south; and the Hittites, and the Jebusites,
and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains; and the Canaanites dwell by the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/afraid of giants.htm

The Historical Books.
... The statement, on the other hand, that the children of Benjamin did not drive out
the Jebusites from Jerusalem, "but the Jebusites dwell with the children of ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.htm

The Earlier Hebrew Histories.
... And it would appear that the first chapter must have been written before the middle
of the reign of King David; for it tells us that the Jebusites had not yet ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter iv the earlier hebrew.htm

The Acts of Barnabus.
... it. we came to a certain place, and having found a cave, put it down there,
where the nation of the Jebusites formerly dwelt. And ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the acts of barnabus/the acts of barnabus.htm

Joshua's Conquest.
... While there were many war-like people crowded into Palestine, seven, the Hittites,
the Girgashites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, the Jebusites, the Amorites ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter viii joshuas conquest.htm

Who was Adoni-Bezek? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that “the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure” (Genesis 15:16)? | GotQuestions.org

What was the significance of the Jordan crossing? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus