Bible Meaning: Sanctuary
Strong's Concordance #H1688
There are at least three Biblical cities named Debir. The first, and most well known, is located in Judah's territory southwest of Hebron. It was previously called Kirjathsepher (Joshua 15:15) and Kirjathsannah (Joshua 15:49). These names, derived from the same Hebrew word, mean "city of branches" or "city of the book" (Strong's #H7158). This Judean Debir became a Levitical city (Joshua 21:15).
Debir, king of Eglon, was part of a final confederation of kings cobbled together to end Israel's conquests in Canaan. The massive military force he was part of was soundly defeated by Joshua with the aid of Almighty God!
Another city named Debir was located east of the Jordan River in the territory of the tribe of Gad (Joshua 13:24 - 26). A third Biblical city, of the same name, is recorded lying near the border of Judah and Benjamin's land (Joshua 15:7).
Important Verses
Person
Joshua 10:3
Wherefore Adonizedek king of Jerusalem sent unto Hoham king of Hebron, and unto Piram king of Jarmuth, and unto Japhia king of Lachish, and unto Debir king of Eglon, saying . . .
Location
Joshua 10:36 - 39
And Joshua went up from Eglon, and all Israel with him, unto Hebron; and they fought against it: And they took it . . .
And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir: and fought against it:
And he took it, and the king thereof, and all the cities thereof: and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed all the souls that were therein: he left none remaining . . .
Joshua 11:21 - 22
And at that time came Joshua, and cut off the Anakims from the mountains, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the mountains of Judah, and from all the mountains of Israel: Joshua destroyed them utterly with their cities.
There was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of Israel: only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, there remained.
Joshua 15:7, 15 - 16
And the border went up toward Debir from the valley of Achor, and so northward, looking toward Gilgal, that is before the going up to Adummim, which is on the south side of the river: and the border passed toward the waters of Enshemesh, and the goings out thereof were at Enrogel . . .
And he went up thence to the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of Debir before was Kirjathsepher. And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.