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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Kirjath-sephar</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/k/kirjath-sephar.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/joshua/15-16.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/k/kirjath-sephar.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Kirjath-sephar</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/naves/k/kirjath-sannah--a_city_of_the_tribe_of_judah.htm" title="Kirjath-Sannah: A City of the Tribe of Judah">◄</a> Kirjath-sephar <a href="/topical/k/kirjathsepher.htm" title="Kirjathsepher">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div><b>Etymology and Meaning:</b> <br>Kirjath-sephar, also known as Kiriath-sepher, is a name that translates to "City of Books" or "City of Scribes." The name suggests a place of learning or record-keeping, which may indicate its historical significance as a center of culture or administration in ancient times.<br><br><b>Biblical References:</b> <br>Kirjath-sephar is mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the context of the conquest of Canaan. It is referenced in the Book of Joshua and the Book of Judges. In <a href="/joshua/15-15.htm">Joshua 15:15</a>, it is noted: "From there he marched against the inhabitants of Debir (formerly known as Kiriath-sepher)." Similarly, <a href="/judges/1-11.htm">Judges 1:11</a> states: "From there they marched against the inhabitants of Debir (formerly known as Kiriath-sepher)."<br><br><b>Historical and Geographical Context:</b> <br>Kirjath-sephar is identified with the city of Debir, which was located in the hill country of Judah. The city was one of the Canaanite strongholds that the Israelites, under the leadership of Joshua, sought to conquer during their campaign to take possession of the Promised Land. The strategic location of Kirjath-sephar in the Judean hills made it a significant target for the Israelites.<br><br><b>Conquest and Allocation:</b> <br>The conquest of Kirjath-sephar is notably linked to Caleb, one of the faithful spies sent by Moses to scout the land of Canaan. Caleb offered his daughter Achsah in marriage to whoever would capture the city. Othniel, Caleb's younger brother, successfully captured Kirjath-sephar, and as a result, he married Achsah. This event is recorded in <a href="/joshua/15-16.htm">Joshua 15:16-17</a>: "And Caleb said, 'I will give my daughter Achsah in marriage to the one who strikes down and captures Kiriath-sepher.' So Othniel son of Caleb’s brother Kenaz captured the city, and Caleb gave his daughter Achsah to him in marriage."<br><br><b>Cultural and Theological Significance:</b> <br>The capture of Kirjath-sephar by Othniel is significant for several reasons. It highlights the fulfillment of God's promise to give the land of Canaan to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The account also underscores the importance of faith and courage in the face of daunting challenges, as exemplified by Caleb and Othniel. Furthermore, the narrative illustrates the role of family and inheritance in the Israelite society, as Caleb's offer of his daughter in marriage to the conqueror of the city reflects the customs and values of the time.<br><br><b>Archaeological Insights:</b> <br>While the exact location of Kirjath-sephar/Debir has been a subject of debate among scholars, it is generally associated with the archaeological site of Khirbet Rabud, located southwest of Hebron. Excavations in the area have provided insights into the Canaanite and Israelite periods, shedding light on the historical context of the biblical narrative.<br><br><b>Conclusion:</b> <br>Kirjath-sephar, as a city of historical and theological importance, serves as a testament to the unfolding of God's plan for His people. Its mention in the biblical text invites reflection on the themes of faith, obedience, and divine providence that are woven throughout the narrative of Israel's conquest of the Promised Land.<a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Kirjath-sephar (1 Occurrence)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/joshua/15-16.htm">Joshua 15:16</a></span><br />And Caleb saith, 'He who smiteth <span class="boldtext">Kirjath-Sephar</span>, and hath captured it -- I have given to him Achsah my daughter for a wife.'<br /><span class="source">(YLT)</span><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/k/kirjath-sephar.htm"><span class="l"><b>Kirjath</b>-<b>sephar</b> (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>Kirjath</b>-<b>sephar</b>. Kirjath-sannah, <b>Kirjath</b>-<b>sephar</b>. Kirjathsepher .<br> Multi-Version Concordance <b>Kirjath</b>-<b>sephar</b> (1 Occurrence). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/k/kirjath-sephar.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/k/kirjathsepher.htm"><span class="l">Kirjathsepher (4 Occurrences)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/k/kirjathsepher.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/k/kirjath-sannah.htm"><span class="l">Kirjath-sannah (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br>Kirjath-sannah. Kirjathsannah, Kirjath-sannah. <b>Kirjath</b>-<b>sephar</b> . Easton's Bible<br> Dictionary <b>...</b> Kirjathsannah, Kirjath-sannah. <b>Kirjath</b>-<b>sephar</b> . Reference Bible <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/k/kirjath-sannah.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/c/captures.htm"><span class="l">Captures (5 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Joshua 15:16 And Caleb saith, 'He who smiteth <b>Kirjath</b>-<b>Sephar</b>, and hath captured<br> it -- I have given to him Achsah my daughter for a wife.' (See NAS NIV). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/c/captures.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/c/captured.htm"><span class="l">Captured (143 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> (YLT NAS NIV). Joshua 15:16 And Caleb saith, 'He who smiteth <b>Kirjath</b>-<b>Sephar</b>, and<br> hath captured it -- I have given to him Achsah my daughter for a wife.' (YLT). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/c/captured.htm - 36k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Semites.html">Who are Semites? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/k/kirjath-sephar.htm">Kirjath-sephar</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/smiteth.htm">Smiteth (156 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/k/kirjath-sepher.htm">Kirjath-sepher (4 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/k/kirjath-sephar.htm">Kirjath-sephar (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/thence.htm">Thence (152 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/naves/k/kirjath-sannah--a_city_of_the_tribe_of_judah.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Kirjath-Sannah: A City of the Tribe of Judah"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Kirjath-Sannah: A City of the Tribe of Judah" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/k/kirjathsepher.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Kirjathsepher"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Kirjathsepher" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>