This final verse explains why some Jebusites, descendants of the original inhabitants of Jerusalem, were still living in the city at the time of the writing of the account. This verse makes it appear that Jerusalem was to have been assigned to Judah, whereas it was assigned to Benjamin (see 18.28; Judges 1.21).

Who lived in Jerusalem may be misunderstood by the reader, for whom it could imply that the people of Judah were able to drive out other Jebusites, who did not live in Jerusalem. One may translate “But the people of Judah were not able to drive the Jebusites out of Jerusalem. Therefore they still live there with them in the city today.”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Newman, Barclay M. A Handbook on Joshua. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .