English · BSB

Joshua12

Joshua chapter 12 provides a comprehensive list of kings defeated by the Israelites during their conquest of the land. It first enumerates the two kings, Sihon and Og, vanquished by Moses on the east side of the Jordan River, whose territories were then allotted to the Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh. The chapter then details the thirty-one kings subdued by Joshua and the children of Israel on the west side of the Jordan, whose lands were subsequently distributed among the remaining tribes. This chapter serves as a summary of the successful military campaigns.
Listen to this chapter
0:00 0:00

Kings Defeated East of the Jordan

1
Now these are the kings of the land whom the Israelites struck down and whose lands they took beyond the Jordan to the east, from the Arnon Valley to Mount Hermon, including all the Arabah eastward: ​
2
Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon. He ruled from Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Valley, along the middle of the valley, up to the Jabbok River (the border of the Ammonites), that is, half of Gilead, ​
3
as well as the Arabah east of the Sea of Chinnereth to the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea), eastward through Beth-jeshimoth, and southward below the slopes of Pisgah.
4
And Og king of Bashan, one of the remnant of the Rephaim, who lived in Ashtaroth and Edrei. ​
5
He ruled over Mount Hermon, Salecah, all of Bashan up to the border of the Geshurites and Maacathites, and half of Gilead to the border of Sihon king of Heshbon.
6
Moses, the servant of the LORD, and the Israelites had struck them down and given their land as an inheritance to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. ​

Kings Defeated West of the Jordan

7
And these are the kings of the land that Joshua and the Israelites conquered beyond the Jordan to the west, from Baal-gad in the Valley of Lebanon to Mount Halak, which rises toward Seir (according to the allotments to the tribes of Israel, Joshua gave them as an inheritance ​
8
the hill country, the foothills, the Arabah, the slopes, the wilderness, and the Negev—the lands of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites): ​
9
the king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai, which is near Bethel, one; ​
10
the king of Jerusalem, one; the king of Hebron, one; ​
11
the king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one;
12
the king of Eglon, one; the king of Gezer, one;
13
the king of Debir, one; the king of Geder, one;
14
the king of Hormah, one; the king of Arad, one;
15
the king of Libnah, one; the king of Adullam, one;
16
the king of Makkedah, one; the king of Bethel, one; ​
17
the king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one;
18
the king of Aphek, one; the king of Lasharon, one;
19
the king of Madon, one; the king of Hazor, one; ​
20
the king of Shimron-meron, one; the king of Achshaph, one;
21
the king of Taanach, one; the king of Megiddo, one;
22
the king of Kedesh, one; the king of Jokneam in Carmel, one;
23
the king of Dor in Naphath-dor, one; the king of Goiim in Gilgal, one;

The Summary of Conquest

24
and the king of Tirzah, one. So there were thirty-one kings in all. ​

Study Notes for Joshua 12

Verse 1

This chapter serves as a summary checklist, concluding the narrative of military conquest and emphasizing the scope and completeness of the victories achieved under both Moses and Joshua.

Verse 2

Sihon was a powerful Amorite king whose defeat by Moses was the first major territorial acquisition, demonstrating God's power prior to Israel entering Canaan proper (Num. 21).

Verse 4

Og, king of Bashan, is specifically noted as being 'of the remnant of the giants' (Rephaim). His defeat symbolized Israel’s ability to overcome even the most powerful and feared enemies through divine assistance.

Verse 6

Moses is explicitly credited with defeating these kings and allocating their land to the Transjordan tribes. This links the current conquest success directly back to the leadership of God's servant, Moses.

Verse 7

This section begins the listing of the 31 kings defeated directly by Joshua in the primary campaign. The inclusion of the geographical boundaries highlights the vast territory secured.

Verse 8

This list of major tribal groups emphasizes the density and diversity of opposition faced by Israel, confirming the necessity of the comprehensive conquest commanded by God.

Verse 9

Jericho and Ai were the first cities captured west of the Jordan, representing the initial, pivotal victories that initiated the central campaign.

Verse 10

The defeat of the kings of Jerusalem and Hebron was crucial, though the complete occupation of these strategic cities would require further effort by individual tribes later (cf. Judges 1).

Verse 16

Bethel was a historically and strategically significant site, demonstrating that the conquest extended to key religious and political centers.

Verse 19

Hazor was the central power in the northern coalition, whose decisive destruction by Joshua marked the final major military triumph of the unified Israelite forces (Josh. 11).

Verse 24

The final count of thirty-one kings emphasizes the thoroughness and completeness of the initial military campaign, confirming that Israel had successfully secured the core territory promised by God.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Reading Width 45 chars

Options