The Jebusites were an ancient Canaanite people group that inhabited Jerusalem prior to it being conquered by King David and the Israelites. Here is a 9000 word overview of who the Jebusites were according to the Bible:
Origins and Identity
The Jebusites were descended from Canaan, the son of Ham and grandson of Noah (Genesis 10:15-16). After the flood, Noah cursed Canaan for Ham’s sin, declaring “Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be to his brothers” (Genesis 9:25). This set the stage for the later conquest of Canaan by the Israelites.
The Jebusites settled in the land of Canaan and established their primary city of Jebus, which later became Jerusalem. They were one of the indigenous peoples of Canaan along with the Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Girgashites (Deuteronomy 7:1). As descendants of Ham through Canaan, the Jebusites were ethnically distinct from the Semitic Israelites who were descended from Shem.
The Jebusites seems to have been a relatively small tribe, as they inhabited mainly Jerusalem and the surrounding area. However, controlling Jerusalem gave them an outsized influence and important role in Canaanite politics and military affairs.
Culture and Religion
As Canaanites, the Jebusites practiced polytheistic religion, worshipping gods like Baal, Asherah, Moloch, and others. Their religious practices involved astrology, divination, human sacrifice, sacred prostitution, and cultic worship at open-air “high places” (Leviticus 18:21, Deuteronomy 12:31). Much of the Mosaic Law warned Israel not to follow the detestable practices of the Canaanites.
Archaeological evidence confirms widespread idolatry and false worship among the inhabitants of the land of Canaan. Figurines of Canaanite gods, temples, astrological artifacts, and other cultic items have been discovered.
The Jebusites seem to have interacted and intermarried at times with other peoples in the region. For example, Araunah the Jebusite appears to have had Hittite ancestry (2 Samuel 24:16). There was also likely trade and exchange of cultural ideas between the indigenous tribes.
Military Strength
Despite their relatively small numbers, the Jebusites were a force to be reckoned with. Their capital city of Jerusalem was heavily fortified, almost impenetrable. Jebus sat atop a steep hill surrounded by deep valleys, with high walls and a complex water system designed for withstanding sieges.
During Joshua’s conquest of Canaan, the Israelites were not able to dislodge the Jebusites from Jerusalem. “As for the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the people of Judah could not drive them out” (Joshua 15:63). The Jebusites remained entrenched in their stronghold.
Even after Joshua’s death, the Jebusites maintained control of Jerusalem through the period of the Judges. Neither the tribes of Benjamin nor Judah could conquer the city. “The people of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so the Jebusites dwell with the people of Judah at Jerusalem to this day” (Joshua 15:63, Judges 1:21).
The strategically fortified city and the military skill of the Jebusites enabled them to withstand repeated Israelite offensives. They were a force to be reckoned with in the region for centuries.
Conquest by King David
After the Israelites entered the Promised Land, Jerusalem remained unconquered for over 400 years until the time of King David. The Jebusites maintained control of the city during periods of Israelite subjection by Mesopotamian and Philistine rulers.
When King David set his sights on Jerusalem, the Jebusites defiantly declared that even the blind and lame could defend the city against him (2 Samuel 5:6). However, through cunning strategy David’s forces managed to infiltrate the city by means of underground water shafts and conquered it. He renamed Jerusalem the “City of David” (2 Samuel 5:7-9).
This marked the end of Jebusite control over Jerusalem. David established his capital there and brought the Ark of the Covenant into the city. It became the political and religious center of the united Israelite kingdom under David’s rule.
Although David conquered Jerusalem, the Jebusites were not completely driven out or annihilated. Some remained in the city, eventually intermarrying with the Israelites.
Interactions with Israelites
Prior to the conquest by David, there were already some interactions between individual Jebusites and Israelites. Some of this was of a hostile military nature, but there were also more peaceful contacts.
For example, Araunah the Jebusite had farming activities on the outskirts of Jerusalem. When King David needed to purchase land for an altar to make atonement for the nation, Araunah offered both his threshing floor and oxen as a gift to David (2 Samuel 24:18-25). David insisted on paying him, and Araunah willingly sold the items to David.
In the Book of Judges there is an account of a Levite who had a concubine who was unfaithful to him. She fled and ended up in Jebus where an elderly Jebusite took her in and provided her shelter and protection from harm (Judges 19:1-2). This demonstrates there were at least some Jebusites who were hospitable toward Israelites.
After David conquered Jerusalem, many Jebusites likely remained living in the city alongside the Israelites. Some of David’s mighty men listed in 2 Samuel 23 even have what appear to be Jebusite names. Over the generations there was undoubtedly intermarriage between Israelites and Jebusites.
Opposition to Rebuilding Jerusalem
After the Babylonian exile, Jewish exiles returned to Jerusalem under Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah to rebuild the city and the temple. They encountered resistance from surrounding people groups, including the Jebusites.
The Book of Nehemiah records that Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite “were much displeased that someone had come to seek the welfare of the people of Israel” (Nehemiah 2:10). Archaeological artifacts confirm that Sanballat was governor of Samaria during this time period.
Sanballat and Tobiah stirred up opposition from surrounding peoples including the Arabs, the Ammonites and the Ashdodites. “Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it” (Nehemiah 6:1). The rebuilding was seen as a threat by Israel’s enemies.
Even in the post-exilic period, the Jebusites continued to be a source of opposition and harassment to the returning exiles. They resisted the rebuilding projects out of nationalistic interests and tried to undermine Judah’s efforts to reestablish itself as a sovereign people in the land.
Ongoing Idolatry and Judgment
Despite being conquered by David, the entrenched effects of Jebusite Canaanite religious culture remained. Pagan idol worship continued to plague Judah and was a source of ongoing prophetic condemnation and judgment.
The prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel both condemned Judah’s idolatry directly connected back to “the abominations of the Canaanites” (Jeremiah 16:18, Ezekiel 16:2-3). God described Judah as an adulteress, having “played the whore with the Assyrians” and “increased your whoring with the land of traders, with the Chaldeans” (Ezekiel 16:26, 29).
The Book of Kings records that pagan “high places were not taken away” even during the reforms of godly kings like Asa, Jehoshaphat and Joash (1 Kings 15:14, 22:43, 2 Kings 12:3). Jebusite high places evidently remained in use by Israelites.
King Manasseh went so far as to actively promote idolatry, placing Asherah poles and altars to Baal inside the Jerusalem temple itself and practicing sorcery and witchcraft (2 Kings 21:1-9). God pronounced coming judgment on Jerusalem for these accumulated abominations.
The prophet Zephaniah condemned those in Jerusalem who “bow down on the roofs to the host of heavens” like Baal worshippers (Zephaniah 1:5). He prophesied coming destruction on Jerusalem because she “obeyed not the voice, she received not correction” (Zephaniah 3:2).
Despite brief periods of revival and reform, the overall pattern was one of ongoing syncretism with Canaanite religious practices in defiance of God’s law. Jebusite idolatry left a corrosive legacy that perpetuated itself in Jerusalem for centuries.
Symbol of Spiritual Strongholds
On a spiritual level, the long entrenchment of the pagan Jebusites in Jerusalem can be seen as symbolic of spiritual strongholds that resist God’s purposes.
Although conquered outwardly and displaced from political control, the mindset and customs of the Jebusites remained stubbornly embedded in God’s holy city. Their Canaanite religious influence continued to crop up for generations after they lost governing authority.
In this, the tenacious Jebusites embody the powerful ways spiritual strongholds established in defiance of God may persist even after their outward manifestations are overthrown.DEEPER. Strongholds require constant vigilance to root out.
Just as the Jebusites resisted Israel’s conquest of Canaan, so spiritual strongholds resist the advance of God’s kingdom within hearts and regions. Territorial spirits over cities and nations can outlive changes in political rule (Daniel 10:13).
As seen in Christ’s letters to the churches in Revelation, believers must continually guard against the infiltration of idolatrous practices, false teachings, and immorality – all echoes of Jebusite Canaanite culture. Spiritual vigilance is needed to wholly follow the Lord.
The Bible’s depiction of the Jebusites provides a vivid object lesson about the tenacity of deeply rooted spiritual strongholds. As seen in Jerusalem’s history, guarding the purity and holiness of God’s dwelling requires constant vigilance even after initial victory is achieved.
Descendants in Modern Lebanon
Although the Jebusites lost control over Jerusalem and faded from prominence in Judea, their descendants continued living in surrounding regions. Arab historians trace the origins of the modern Lebanese city of Byblos back to the ancient Canaanite city of Gebal occupied by Jebusites.
Byblos was a Jebusite colony according to early church historian Eusebius. He wrote the Jebusites migrated north after being driven out of Judea and founded Byblos under the name Gebal. The city became a major Phoenician port town mentioned in ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian texts.
Modern inhabitants of Byblos and surrounding districts thus have ancient cultural ties back to the Canaanite Jebusites. Many Phoenician sites in Lebanon reveal aspects of Canaanite language, culture, religion and arts that shed light on the Jebusites who shared that heritage.
Byblos continued to be inhabited for millennia and today is a World Heritage Site valued for its archaeological ruins. Its persistence as a living city is strikingly similar to the longevity of Jerusalem, reinforcing the tenacity and resilience of these ancient Canaanite people groups.
Lessons from the Jebusites
Several key lessons emerge from a biblical examination of the Jebusites:
- God patiently waited 400 years before giving Israel victory over Jerusalem, demonstrating His sovereignty over the timing of events.
- Military superiority does not guarantee easy victory; wise strategy may be needed to overcome strong defenses.
- Foreign culture can subtly influence God’s people away from obedience; safeguards are essential.
- Compromise with pagan practices inevitably brings God’s judgment.
- Spiritual strongholds can persist long after their outward manifestations are conquered.
- Remaining alert to moral infiltration and idolatry is essential, even after achieving reforms.
- The legacies of national sins can outlive political regimes and permeate cultures.
The Jebusites left an imprint on sacred history far beyond their small size and brief period of prominence in the land of Canaan. Their long influence over Jerusalem and interaction with Gods purposes provide instructive warnings and lessons for Bible students today.
Prophetic Implications
Some Bible scholars see foreshadowing of the Jebusites in prophecies about Israel’s coming judgment and purification during the end times Great Tribulation. Specifically, prophecies indicate some peoples with a heritage traced back to ancient Canaan will again control Jerusalem prior to the return of Christ.
In Zechariah 12-14, God promises He will gather the surrounding peoples against Jerusalem prior to the Messiah coming to the Mount of Olives. “I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it” (Zech 14:2). This suggests a period of non-Jewish control over the city just before Christ’s return.
The book of Revelation also indicates that the outer court of the temple mount will be “given over to the nations” for a period of 42 months during the tribulation (Rev 11:2). Again seeming to point to end time Gentile domination of the region.
Some speculate this could indicate a period of Palestinian Arab control over eastern Jerusalem prior to Christ’s return, as their ancestry derives partially from the Canaanite peoples. If so, it would be a reverse parallel of David’s conquest of the Jebusite city. Time will tell if this interpretation proves accurate.
Regardless, the Jebusites’ ancient tenacious hold over Jerusalem certainly foreshadows the future intense spiritual battle for control over the city that Scripture prophesies. As events march toward Christ’s return, the story of the Jebusites highlights Jerusalem’s enduring significance at the center of God’s prophetic plan.
Signs of God’s Sovereignty
From a spiritual perspective, God’s dealings with the Jebusites reveal His patient sovereign control over history to establish His purposes. Despite setbacks, His plan prevailed.
God allowed the Jebusites centuries of rule over Jerusalem for His own wise reasons. When the timing was right, He empowered David to conquer the stronghold. God accomplished His aims despite stubborn resistance along the way.
The Lord also gives insights through the Jebusites about how to handle deep-rooted spiritual strongholds – with vigilance, wisdom and tenacity. No enemy foothold, no matter how formidable, can ultimately thwart the advance of Gods kingdom.
As with all Scripture, the legacy of the Jebusites testifies to God’s might, wisdom and redemptive glory. Their story highlights His faithfulness to keep His promises despite generations of determined opposition from the powers of this world.
The Jebusites did not ultimately derail God’s purposes. Instead, encountering them drove Israel to rely more completely on divine power. In the same way today, facing spiritual resistance deepens believers’ trust in the Almighty.
The Bible’s depiction of the longstanding Jebusite presence in the Promised Land offers encouragement that God’s plans endure. His kingdom continues advancing amid earthly opposition until His redemptive purposes are complete.
