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יְבוּסִי

𐤉𐤁𐤅𐤎𐤉

Yevusi

H2983 noun

SILEX Entry

Root יְבוּס to be associated with Yebus (Jerusalem), inhabitant of Yebus

Definition

Denotes a member of the people known as the Yebusi, inhabitants of Yebus (the pre-Israelite city later known as Yerushalayim/Jerusalem). Functions as a gentilic (ethnic designation) describing individuals or groups associated with this city prior to and during the early periods of Israelite settlement. In biblical narrative, often describes the Canaanite population living in Jerusalem at the time of Joseph’s conquest and during the Davidic conquest. May refer to either an individual Yebusi person or the group collectively.

Semantic Range

an inhabitant of Yebus (Jerusalem), member of the Yebusi people, one descended from or ethnically associated with Yebus/Jerusalem; collectively, the Yebusi people as a group

Root / Etymology

Derived from the place name יְבוּס (Yebus), the ancient city predating Israelite conquest. The gentilic ending -ִי forms an adjective or noun denoting ethnic or geographic association. The underlying root of יְבוּס is uncertain; it does not correspond to any common Hebrew root and is attested primarily as a proper name.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term יְבוּסִי appears exclusively in contexts referencing pre-Israelite inhabitants of Jerusalem (Yebus). In the Torah and Former Prophets, the Yebusi are listed among other indigenous Canaanite groups. Their presence is noted in both genealogical lists (Genesis 10:16; 15:21) and conquest narratives (Joshua 15:63; Judges 1:21). In historical accounts (2 Samuel 5:6-8), the city of Yebus remains under Yebusi control until its conquest by David, after which the population is assimilated or displaced. The term is ethnographic and geographic—not religious—identifying residence or ancestry linked to Yebus. Later translations rendered יְבוּסִי as "Jebusite," and subsequent traditions (including the KJV) use "Jebusite" or "Jebusites." However, the original term had no associated religious connotation; its primary function was to denote city-based ethnicity or origin. After the city’s conquest, the usage of the term shifts from an active contemporary group to a people of the past. There is no evidence that the Yebusi formed a distinct polity beyond their identity as Jerusalem’s inhabitants. Distinct from other ethnic designations (e.g., Canaanite, Amorite), the term is tightly paired with the locality of Yebus/Jerusalem.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

xlit Yebûwçîy corrected to Yᵉbûwçîy; patrial from יְבוּס; a Jebusite or inhabitant of Jebus; Jebusite(-s).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

יבוס (y-b-w-s) — Yebus, association with Yebus, inhabitant of Yebus

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2983-01 הַ/יְבוּסִי֙ hayevusi HTd/Ngmsa the Jebusite the Yebusi man 19
H2983-03 וְ/הַ/יְבוּסִֽי vehayevusi HC/Td/Ngmsa and the Jebusite and the Yebusi 19
H2983-04 יְבֻסִי֙ yevusi HNgmsa the-Jebusites Yebusi man 2
H2983-02 כִּ/יבוּסִֽי kivusi HR/Np like-a-Jebusite Yebusi 1

Occurrences in Scripture

41 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2983-01 Genesis 10:16 הַ/יְבוּסִי֙ hayevusi HTd/Ngmsa the Jebusite the Yebusi man
H2983-01 Genesis 15:21 הַ/יְבוּסִֽי hayevusi HTd/Ngmsa Jebusites the Yebusi man
H2983-03 Exodus 3:8 וְ/הַ/יְבוּסִֽי vehayevusi HC/Td/Ngmsa and the Jebusite. and the Yebusi
H2983-03 Exodus 3:17 וְ/הַ/יְבוּסִ֑י vehayevusi HC/Td/Ngmsa and the Jebusite and the Yebusi
H2983-03 Exodus 13:5 וְ/הַ/יְבוּסִ֗י vehayevusi HC/Td/Ngmsa and the Jebusite and the Yebusi
H2983-03 Exodus 23:23 וְ/הַ/יְבוּסִ֑י vehayevusi HC/Td/Ngmsa and the Jebusite and the Yebusi
H2983-03 Exodus 33:2 וְ/הַ/יְבוּסִֽי vehayevusi HC/Td/Ngmsa and the Jebusite and the Yebusi
H2983-03 Exodus 34:11 וְ/הַ/יְבוּסִֽי vehayevusi HC/Td/Ngmsa and the Jebusite and the Yebusi
H2983-03 Numbers 13:29 וְ/הַ/יְבוּסִ֤י vehayevusi HC/Td/Ngmsa and the Jebusite and the Yebusi
H2983-03 Deuteronomy 7:1 וְ/הַ/יְבוּסִ֔י vehayevusi HC/Td/Ngmsa and the Jebusite and the Yebusi
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