Joshua 10:2

That they feared greatly, because Gibeon [was] a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it [was] greater than Ai, and all the men thereof [were] mighty.

That they feared {H3372} greatly {H3966}, because Gibeon {H1391} was a great {H1419} city {H5892}, as one {H259} of the royal {H4467} cities {H5892}, and because it was greater {H1419} than Ai {H5857}, and all the men {H582} thereof were mighty {H1368}.

his people became greatly alarmed; because Giv'on was as large as one of the royal cities, larger than 'Ai, and all its men were courageous.

So Adoni-zedek and his people were greatly alarmed, because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities; it was larger than Ai, and all its men were mighty.

that they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all the men thereof were mighty.

Commentary

Joshua 10:2 describes the reaction of the Amorite kings to the Gibeonites' recent alliance with Israel. The verse explains the intense fear felt by these kings, particularly Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem, due to Gibeon's significant status and strength.

Context

This verse immediately follows the news that Gibeon, a major Hivite city, had made peace with Israel. The Gibeonites had deceived Israel into a covenant to save themselves from destruction. Once the covenant was discovered, Israel honored it, meaning Gibeon was now under Israel's protection. The Amorite kings, who were rivals to Israel's expansion in Canaan, perceived this alliance as a direct and formidable threat, leading to their decision to attack Gibeon.

Key Themes

  • Strategic Importance of Gibeon: The verse emphasizes Gibeon's size and power ("a great city," "greater than Ai," "all the men thereof were mighty"). Its alliance with Israel significantly shifted the balance of power in the region, making Israel an even more formidable force.
  • Fear and Reaction: The "great fear" of the Amorite kings highlights their recognition of Israel's growing might, now amplified by Gibeon's inclusion. This fear often signals a divine hand at work, causing enemies to be paralyzed or provoked into actions that ultimately serve God's plan.
  • Divine Orchestration: Though the Gibeonite covenant was born of deception, God used this unexpected alliance to draw out the southern Canaanite kings, setting the stage for a major battle where He would display His power on behalf of Israel, as seen in the Lord fighting for Israel.

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "great city" (Hebrew: 'îr gedôlâ) denotes its substantial size and population, suggesting it was a significant urban center.
  • "Royal cities" (Hebrew: 'ârê hammamlākâ) indicates that Gibeon held a prominent position, perhaps a self-governing city with king-like authority or a regional capital, though it did not have its own king in the same way Jerusalem did. This status further justified the Amorite kings' alarm.
  • "Mighty" (Hebrew: gibborîm) describes the Gibeonite men as strong, valiant, or warrior-like, underscoring their military capability and why their addition to Israel's side was so concerning to the Amorite coalition.

Significance and Application

This verse is crucial because it explains *why* the confederation of Amorite kings decided to attack Gibeon, which in turn led to the pivotal Battle of Gibeon, where God performed the miracle of the sun standing still. It demonstrates how the reputation and perceived strength of an ally can influence adversaries. For believers, it's a reminder that when we align with God's will, even unexpected circumstances or alliances can become powerful instruments in His hands. The enemy's fear can be a sign of God's work unfolding, paving the way for His people's spiritual victories as they continue their journey in the promised land.

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 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

  • Deuteronomy 11:25 (5 votes)

    There shall no man be able to stand before you: [for] the LORD your God shall lay the fear of you and the dread of you upon all the land that ye shall tread upon, as he hath said unto you.

  • Joshua 2:24 (3 votes)

    And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.

  • Exodus 15:14 (3 votes)

    The people shall hear, [and] be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina.

  • Exodus 15:16 (3 votes)

    Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be [as] still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.

  • Psalms 48:4 (2 votes)

    For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.

  • Psalms 48:6 (2 votes)

    Fear took hold upon them there, [and] pain, as of a woman in travail.

  • Proverbs 1:26 (2 votes)

    I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;