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.

Kings Defeated East of the Jordan

1
These are the kings of the land whom the people of Isra'el defeated and of whose land they took possession, across the Yarden toward the east, from the Arnon Valley to Mount Hermon and all the 'Aravah eastward: ​
2
Sichon king of the Emori, who lived in Heshbon and ruled the territory that includes 'Aro'er, at the edge of the Arnon Valley; the middle of the valley; half of Gil'ad, to the Yabok River, which forms the border with the people of 'Amon; ​
3
the 'Aravah to Lake Kinneret eastward and to the sea of the 'Aravah, the Dead Sea, eastward by way of Beit-Yeshimot and on the south under the slopes of Pisgah.
4
There was also the territory of 'Og king of Bashan, who belonged to the remnant of the Refa'im. He lived at 'Ashtarot and at Edre'i; ​
5
and he ruled Mount Hermon; Salkhah; all Bashan, to the border with the G'shuri and the Ma'akhati; and half of Gil'ad, to its border with Sichon king of Heshbon.
6
Moshe the servant of ADONAI, with the people of Isra'el, defeated them; and Moshe the servant of ADONAI gave it to the Re'uveni, the Gadi and the half-tribe of M'nasheh as their possession. ​

Kings Defeated West of the Jordan

7
Following are the kings of the land whom Y'hoshua, with the people of Isra'el, defeated in the area west of the Yarden, between Ba'al-Gad in the L'vanon Valley and the bare mountain that goes up to Se'ir. Y'hoshua gave this land, inhabited by the Hitti, Emori, Kena'ani, P'rizi, Hivi and Y'vusi, to the tribes of Isra'el to possess, according to their divisions, in the hills, the Sh'felah, the 'Aravah, the mountain slopes, the desert and the Negev: ​
8
Consolidated into verse 7 by this translation.
9
the king of Yericho, the king of 'Ai, by Beit-El, ​
10
the king of Yerushalayim, the king of Hevron, ​
11
the king of Yarmut, the king of Lakhish,
12
the king of 'Eglon, the king of Gezer,
13
the king of D'vir, the king of Geder,
14
the king of Hormah, the king of 'Arad,
15
the king of Livnah, the king of 'Adulam,
16
the king of Makkedah, the king of Beit-El, ​
17
the king of Tapuach, the king of Hefer,
18
the king of Afek, the king of Sharon,
19
the king of Madon, the king of Hatzor, ​
20
the king of Shimron-M'ron, the king of Akhshaf,
21
the king of Ta'anakh, the king of Megiddo,
22
the king of Kedesh, the king of Yokne'am in Karmel,
23
the king of Dor in the region of Dor, the king of Goyim in the Gilgal, and

The Summary of Conquest

24
the king of Tirtzah making a total of thirty-one kings. ​

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