Joshua 10:12

KJV

Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then spake {H1696} Joshua {H3091} to the LORD {H3068} in the day {H3117} when the LORD {H3068} delivered up {H5414} the Amorites {H567} before {H6440} the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, and he said {H559} in the sight {H5869} of Israel {H3478}, Sun {H8121}, stand thou still {H1826} upon Gibeon {H1391}; and thou, Moon {H3394}, in the valley {H6010} of Ajalon {H357}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then, on the day ADONAI handed over the Emori to the people of Isra'el, Y'hoshua spoke to ADONA I; in the sight of Isra'el he said, "Sun, stand motionless over Giv'on! Moon, you too, over Ayalon Valley!"

Berean Standard Bible

On the day that the LORD gave the Amorites over to the Israelites, Joshua spoke to the LORD in the presence of Israel: “O sun, stand still over Gibeon, O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.”

American Standard Version

Then spake Joshua to Jehovah in the day when Jehovah delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel; and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; And thou, Moon, in the valley of Aijalon.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 10:12 records one of the most astonishing miracles in biblical history, where Joshua, empowered by divine authority, commands the sun and moon to halt their celestial course. This extraordinary event occurs during a pivotal battle against a confederation of Amorite kings, demonstrating God's direct and absolute sovereignty over creation, intervening miraculously on behalf of His covenant people, Israel, to secure a decisive and complete victory.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the broader narrative of Israel's conquest of Canaan under Joshua's leadership, following the initial victories at Jericho and Ai. Specifically, it immediately follows the Gibeonite deception and subsequent treaty, detailed in [Joshua 9](/joshua/9 "Joshua 9 - The Gibeonite Deception"). When a coalition of five Amorite kings, led by Adoni-zedek of Jerusalem, attacks Gibeon for its peace treaty with Israel, the Gibeonites appeal to Joshua for help. Joshua and the Israelite army undertake an arduous overnight march to relieve Gibeon, acting on God's explicit assurance of victory, as stated in [Joshua 10:8](/joshua/10-8 "Joshua 10:8 - God Promises Victory"). The battle rages, and as the Amorites flee, the need for extended daylight becomes critical to prevent their escape and ensure a complete rout, setting the stage for Joshua's audacious command.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The conquest of Canaan was a divinely mandated act of judgment against the wicked inhabitants of the land, fulfilling God's ancient promises to Abraham ([Genesis 15:16](/genesis/15-16 "Genesis 15:16 - The Iniquity of the Amorites")). The Amorites were a prominent people group in Canaan, known for their idolatry and depravity. Battles in this era were typically fought from dawn to dusk, with nightfall providing cover for escape. Joshua's request for extended daylight reflects the strategic necessity of the moment to achieve a total victory, preventing the regrouping of the enemy. The cultural understanding of the cosmos at the time would have perceived the sun and moon as powerful deities or forces, making God's direct control over them an even more profound demonstration of His singular supremacy over all other gods and natural phenomena.
* **Key Themes:** Joshua 10:12 powerfully illustrates several core themes. Foremost is **Divine Intervention**, showcasing God's active, miraculous involvement in human affairs and His absolute sovereignty over creation. This event underscores the theme that **God Fights for His People**, fulfilling His promise to Israel that He would personally contend with their enemies ([Deuteronomy 3:22](/deuteronomy/3-22 "Deuteronomy 3:22 - The Lord Fights for You")). It also highlights **Bold Faith and Answered Prayer**, as Joshua's command, spoken "to the LORD," demonstrates an audacious confidence in God's ability to perform the impossible, and God's immediate response affirms His responsiveness to the petitions of His faithful servants. Finally, the passage exemplifies **Joshua's Leadership**, portraying him as a decisive, God-reliant leader whose public declaration "in the sight of Israel" would have significantly bolstered the morale and faith of the entire Israelite army, reinforcing their trust in God's presence among them.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From H3068 (Yᵉhôvâh), meaning "(the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God." The repeated mention of "the LORD" in this verse (twice before Joshua speaks, and then Joshua speaks "to the LORD") underscores the divine initiative and authority behind the miracle. It identifies the God of Israel as the supreme, sovereign being who controls all creation and acts decisively on behalf of His covenant people. This name emphasizes His unchanging, faithful presence and His active role in human history, particularly in fulfilling His promises of victory and land.
* **Delivered up (Hebrew, _nâthan'_):** The verb H5414 (nâthan) means "to give," "to place," or "to deliver." Here, it emphasizes God's active role as the one who "delivered up" the Amorites. This is not merely a passive allowance of victory but an active, sovereign act of handing over the enemy into Israel's power. It highlights the theological truth that the victory was God's, not Israel's, reinforcing His covenant faithfulness and power.
* **Stand thou still (Hebrew, _dâmam'_):** This imperative verb, derived from H1826 (dâmam), literally means "to be dumb," "to stop," or "to be silent." In the context of celestial bodies, it denotes a cessation of their regular motion or activity. It is a powerful, concise command, not merely a request, signifying Joshua's divinely delegated authority to speak to creation itself. The word implies an immediate and complete halt, underscoring the miraculous nature of the event.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel":** This opening clause establishes the context and the divine initiative. Joshua's command is not a spontaneous, human impulse but a direct address "to the LORD," indicating prayer or a prophetic utterance. The phrase "in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites" explicitly attributes the ongoing victory to God's hand, setting the stage for the miracle as a continuation of God's work, not a new, independent act by Joshua. It frames the miracle within the larger narrative of God's covenant faithfulness and His active participation in Israel's battles.
* **"and he said in the sight of Israel":** This phrase underscores the public nature of Joshua's declaration. It was not a private prayer but a bold, audible command spoken before the entire army. This public utterance would have served to reinforce the faith of the Israelite soldiers, demonstrating Joshua's confidence in God's power and providing a visible testament to God's presence and intervention on their behalf. It also adds to the dramatic impact of the event.
* **"Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon":** This is the direct command, specifying the targets (sun and moon) and their locations. Gibeon was the site of the battle, and Ajalon (or Aijalon) was a nearby valley to the west, where the moon would have been visible. The direct address to inanimate objects, commanding them to defy their natural course, highlights the extraordinary nature of the miracle. It is a bold, audacious command, reflecting Joshua's profound faith and the unique authority granted to him by God for this specific, critical moment in salvation history. The precision of the locations adds a layer of verisimilitude to the narrative.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices. **Divine Command** is central, as Joshua, acting as God's agent, issues an authoritative decree to the celestial bodies, mirroring God's own creative and sustaining power. The narrative uses **Anthropomorphism** by describing the sun and moon as if they possess agency, capable of "standing still" in response to a command, thereby dramatizing the miracle. The entire account functions as a **Miracle Narrative**, emphasizing the supernatural intervention of God into the natural order to achieve His purposes. Furthermore, the public nature of Joshua's declaration ("in the sight of Israel") serves as a form of **Public Testimony**, designed to bolster the faith of the Israelites and demonstrate God's power unequivocally. The specific locations mentioned, Gibeon and the valley of Ajalon, ground the extraordinary event in a tangible, **Geographical Realism**, making the miracle more vivid and memorable.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 10:12 stands as a monumental testament to God's absolute sovereignty over all creation and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people. It is a powerful illustration that the God of Israel is not merely a tribal deity but the Lord of the cosmos, capable of suspending natural laws to fulfill His redemptive purposes. This event underscores the principle that God fights for His people, and their victories are ultimately His. It also highlights the efficacy of bold, faithful prayer, demonstrating that God responds to the audacious petitions of those who trust in Him, even when the request seems utterly impossible from a human perspective. The miracle served not only to secure a military victory but also to deepen Israel's understanding of their God's unique power and faithfulness, reinforcing their identity as a people sustained by divine intervention.

* [Psalm 74:16](/psalm/74-16 "Psalm 74:16 - God's Sovereignty Over Day and Night")
* [Isaiah 38:8](/isaiah/38-8 "Isaiah 38:8 - The Sun Dial of Ahaz")
* [Habakkuk 3:11](/habakkuk/3-11 "Habakkuk 3:11 - Sun and Moon Stand Still")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 10:12 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers, reminding us that the God we serve is limitless in power and deeply involved in the affairs of His people. In a world often characterized by skepticism and reliance on human ingenuity, this passage calls us to cultivate an audacious faith, believing that God can and will intervene in our lives and circumstances in ways that transcend natural limitations. It encourages us to pray boldly, not shrinking from asking God for the "impossible" when it aligns with His will and glory. When we face overwhelming challenges, whether personal, spiritual, or communal, this narrative assures us that our God is able to fight our battles, providing supernatural aid and ensuring ultimate victory. Our task is to remain faithful, to step out in obedience, and to trust in His sovereign power to accomplish what we cannot.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "impossible" situations in your life are you currently facing that require an audacious faith like Joshua's?**
* **How does the account of the sun and moon standing still challenge or deepen your understanding of God's sovereignty over creation?**
* **In what ways might God be calling you to "speak to the sun and moon" in your own context, trusting Him for miraculous intervention?**

### FAQ
**Was this event a literal stopping of the earth's rotation, or a different phenomenon?**

Answer: The biblical text describes a literal cessation of the sun and moon's apparent movement, which from a geocentric perspective would imply a stopping or slowing of the earth's rotation, or a unique atmospheric or light refraction phenomenon that extended daylight. While scientific explanations vary and some scholars propose a prolonged twilight or a localized atmospheric effect, the text presents it as a direct, miraculous intervention by God, fulfilling Joshua's command. The emphasis is on the divine power demonstrated, ensuring that Israel had sufficient daylight to complete their decisive victory against the Amorites, as stated in [Joshua 10:13-14](/joshua/10-13 "Joshua 10:13-14 - The Sun and Moon Stand Still"). The theological truth—that God controls creation and intervenes for His people—remains paramount regardless of the precise geophysical mechanism.

**Why did God perform such a dramatic miracle for a military victory?**

Answer: God performed this dramatic miracle to demonstrate His absolute power and faithfulness to His covenant promises. The conquest of Canaan was not merely a territorial acquisition but a divinely ordained act of judgment against the wicked inhabitants and the establishment of Israel in the Promised Land, fulfilling the covenant made with Abraham ([Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise to Abraham")). This miracle served multiple purposes: it secured a complete victory, prevented the enemy from regrouping, instilled awe and fear in the surrounding nations ([Joshua 10:20](/joshua/10-20 "Joshua 10:20 - Utter Destruction of the Amorites")), and profoundly reinforced the faith of the Israelites in their unique God, who actively fought for them. It was a powerful theological statement about God's identity and His commitment to His people, ensuring that the victory was clearly understood as His doing, not Israel's might.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 10:12, while a historical account of God's miraculous intervention, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Joshua, whose name (Yeshua) is the same as Jesus, serves as a type of Christ—a divinely appointed leader who brings God's people into their inheritance and fights their battles. Just as Joshua commanded the sun and moon, demonstrating authority over creation, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, possesses inherent authority over all natural forces, as seen in His calming of the storm ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")) and His ability to command disease and demons ([Luke 4:36](/luke/4-36 "Luke 4:36 - Jesus Commands Demons")). The extended day in Joshua allowed for a complete physical victory over earthly enemies; Christ, through His death and resurrection, secured an eternal spiritual victory over sin, death, and the devil, extending the "day" of salvation for all who believe ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). He is the true and greater Joshua, who not only leads His people into their spiritual promised land (heaven) but also personally fights and defeats their ultimate enemies, ensuring their eternal inheritance and delivering them from the darkness of sin into His marvelous light ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from Darkness")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Habakkuk 3:11

The sun [and] moon stood still in their habitation: at the light of thine arrows they went, [and] at the shining of thy glittering spear.

Isaiah 38:8

Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees, which is gone down in the sun dial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward. So the sun returned ten degrees, by which degrees it was gone down.

Isaiah 60:20

Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.

Joshua 10:13

And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. [Is] not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.

Psalms 148:3

Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.

Job 9:7

Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars.

Isaiah 28:21

For the LORD shall rise up as [in] mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as [in] the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act.