DEBIR (i+zri and -al ; Sept. Aapeip). 1. One - : of the ancient royal cities of the Canaanites, cap tured by Joshua during his first great campaign, along with Hebron and others (Josh. x. 33-39). It was inhabited by the Anakim, who appear to have re-occupied the city after Joshua's conquest, and to have been finally expelled and exterminated by Othniel, whose valour on the occasion won for him the daughter of Caleb (xv. 13-17). An inci dental remark of the bride is worthy of note, as sheaving the topographical accuracy of the sacred writer. She said to her father, ' Give me a bless ing, for thou halt given me a south land ; give me also springs of water' (Judg. i. 11-15). The whole region about Debir is dry and parched, and foun tains are extremely rare. The situation of the city is clearly indicated in Josh. xv. 49, 5o. It lay near Anab and Eslitemoh, the ruins of which, still bearing the ancient names, are seen in the mountains about seven miles south of Hebron. Debir was assigned out of Judah to the priests (Josh. xxi. 5) ; and we hear no more of it in history. The attempts hitherto made to identify it have not been successful.
The names of this city have given rise to both discussion and speculation. Previous to the Israel itish conquest it was called both Kirjaili-sepher, ' town of the book' (Josh. xv. 15), and Killath sannah (xv. 49), the true meaning of which seems to be ' town of the law'--M)C) being a Phoenician word, and equivalent to the Arabic In the Targum it is rendered orbs archivorum ;' and in the Septuagint 7r6T.tv ypaµµclrwv (Bochart.
Opp. i. 771). This name supplies some evidence that the Canaanites were acquainted with writing and books. The town probably contained a noted school, or was the site of an oracle, and the resi dence of some learned priests. If this be admitted, then it is easy to account for tile Hebrew name Debir, which Jerome renders oraculum,' from `to speak.' The same term was used to denote the adytum of Solomon's temple.
2. A place on the northern border of Judah, in or close to the great valley of the Jordan, and con sequently not far distant from Jericho. It is only mentioned in Josh. xv. 7 ; and its site has not been identified. De Saidcy and Van de Velde mark a Wady Dabor on their maps as falling into the north-western corner of the Dead Sea ; but its con nection with Debir is doubtful.
3. A town cast of the Jordan, on the northern boundary of Gad, and near Mahanaim (Josh. xiii. 26). It may be questioned whether the real name of the town is Liair or Debir, as the use of 5 to indicate the construct state is very remarkable in Joshua. The site is unknown (Keil, Comm. on yoshua, in loc. )—J. L. P.