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Joshua 10:12

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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.

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}.

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!"

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.”

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

Joshua 10:12 records one of the most extraordinary miracles in the Bible, a testament to God's direct intervention on behalf of His people. In the midst of a critical battle, Joshua, the leader of Israel, boldly commands the sun and moon to stand still, and they obey, extending the day for a decisive victory.

Context

This verse is set during the Israelite conquest of Canaan, specifically after the Gibeonites, through a deceptive treaty, had secured peace with Israel (Joshua 9:15). When a confederation of five Amorite kings, led by Adoni-zedek of Jerusalem, attacked Gibeon for making peace with Israel, the Gibeonites appealed to Joshua for help. Joshua and the Israelite army marched all night to relieve Gibeon. The Lord had already assured Joshua of victory, promising that no one would be able to stand against Israel (Joshua 10:8). As the battle raged and the Amorites fled, the need for more daylight became crucial to complete the rout.

Key Themes

  • Divine Intervention: The primary theme is God's active involvement in the affairs of humanity and His miraculous power. The standing still of the sun and moon is a unique demonstration of God's sovereignty over creation, directly aiding His people in battle.
  • Bold Faith and Answered Prayer: Joshua's command was not merely a shout into the sky but a prayer addressed "to the LORD." It signifies immense faith and confidence in God's ability to perform the impossible. This audacious prayer was heard and answered, showing God's responsiveness to His servants' petitions.
  • God Fights for His People: This event powerfully illustrates that Israel's victories were not by their own might but by the hand of God. The Lord "delivered up the Amorites," confirming His promise to fight on behalf of Israel (Deuteronomy 3:22).
  • Joshua's Leadership: Joshua's leadership is highlighted by his decisive action, his reliance on God, and his public declaration "in the sight of Israel," which would have bolstered the morale and faith of the entire army.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "stand thou still" (KJV) for both the sun and moon comes from the Hebrew word דּוֹם (dom), which literally means 'be silent' or 'cease'. In this context, it implies a cessation of motion or activity, a command for the celestial bodies to halt their regular course. This powerful, concise command underscores the directness and authority with which Joshua spoke, empowered by God.

Practical Application

Joshua 10:12 serves as a powerful reminder of God's limitless power and His willingness to intervene in human history for His purposes. For believers today, this verse encourages:

  • Boldness in Prayer: We are called to pray with audacious faith, believing that God can do the impossible, even when circumstances seem insurmountable (Jeremiah 33:3).
  • Trust in God's Sovereignty: It reaffirms God's absolute control over all creation, from the smallest detail to the vastness of the cosmos (Psalm 19:1). We can trust that He is working all things for good.
  • Reliance on Divine Help: When facing our own battles, whether spiritual, personal, or societal, we are reminded that God fights for us. Our victory is not dependent on our strength alone, but on His mighty hand.

The miraculous extension of daylight allowed Israel to complete their victory, leading to the utter defeat of the Amorite kings as described in the subsequent verses (Joshua 10:13-14).

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Habakkuk 3:11 (14 votes)

    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 (10 votes)

    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 (7 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

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

  • Job 9:7 (4 votes)

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

  • Isaiah 28:21 (4 votes)

    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.