“turned back to Debir.” Debir is somewhat west and south of Hebron, so Joshua had to turn back toward the shephelah and seacoast to fight Debir after fighting Hebron. The translations that say Joshua “returned” to Debir are incorrect; Joshua had never been to Debir. “Debir” in Joshua 15:49 is called “Kiriath-sannah,” and “Kiriath-sepher” (Josh. 15:15; Judg. 1:11). The war of Joshua against Debir is also recorded in more detail in Joshua 15:16-17; Judges 1:11-13.