Joshua 12:10

KJV

The king of Jerusalem, one; the king of Hebron, one;

KJV (with Strong's)

The king {H4428} of Jerusalem {H3389}, one {H259}; the king {H4428} of Hebron {H2275}, one {H259};

Complete Jewish Bible

the king of Yerushalayim, the king of Hevron,

Berean Standard Bible

the king of Jerusalem, one; the king of Hebron, one;

American Standard Version

the king of Jerusalem, one; the king of Hebron, one;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 12:10 is a concise entry within a comprehensive list enumerating the thirty-one kings defeated by the Israelites under Joshua's leadership during their conquest of Canaan. This specific verse highlights the vanquished rulers of two strategically vital cities in the southern campaign: Jerusalem and Hebron. Far from a mere historical record, this meticulous catalog serves as a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Israel, demonstrating the extensive scope of the land secured through divine intervention and military might.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 12 functions as a grand summary, a climactic conclusion to the account of the major military campaigns detailed in chapters 1-11. It meticulously lists all the kings conquered by Israel, first those east of the Jordan under Moses' leadership (verses 1-6), and then the more numerous kings west of the Jordan under Joshua (verses 7-24). This chapter serves as a comprehensive "scorecard," emphasizing the totality and success of the initial phase of the conquest. Verse 10, specifically, is nestled within the list of kings defeated in the central and southern campaigns, immediately following the king of Jericho and Ai, and preceding other significant southern cities like Jarmuth and Lachish. Its placement reinforces the systematic nature of the conquest and the comprehensive fulfillment of God's command to dispossess the land's inhabitants, providing a definitive record of the Lord's victories.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the conquest, typically dated to the late 15th or early 13th century BCE, saw Canaan as a patchwork of independent city-states, each ruled by its own king. These kings often formed alliances for mutual defense, as vividly seen in the coalition led by Adoni-zedek of Jerusalem in [Joshua 10](/joshua/10 "Joshua 10 - Southern Campaign"). Jerusalem, then known as Jebus, was a fortified Jebusite stronghold, strategically located in the central highlands, a city that would later become the capital of Israel. Hebron, an ancient city in the Judean hills, held immense religious and historical importance, having been a dwelling place for Abraham ([Genesis 13:18](/genesis/13-18 "Genesis 13:18 - Abraham Settles in Hebron")) and a burial site for the patriarchs and matriarchs ([Genesis 23](/genesis/23 "Genesis 23 - The Purchase of Machpelah")). The defeat of these kings was not merely a military victory but a dismantling of the existing political and religious structures of Canaan, paving the way for Israel's settlement and the establishment of a new socio-religious order centered on Yahweh.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, as part of the broader chapter, powerfully underscores several key themes. Foremost is **Divine Faithfulness and Fulfillment of Promise**. The systematic enumeration of defeated kings serves as irrefutable evidence that God was indeed true to His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, granting their descendants the land of Canaan ([Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "Genesis 15:18 - God's Covenant with Abraham")). Secondly, it highlights **God's Righteous Judgment** upon the wicked inhabitants of the land, whose moral depravity had reached its fullness ([Genesis 15:16](/genesis/15-16 "Genesis 15:16 - The Iniquity of the Amorites")). The conquest was not merely an act of war but an execution of divine judgment, clearing the way for a people who were to live by God's laws. Lastly, the chapter emphasizes **God's Sovereignty in History**. The victories were not due to Israel's strength or numbers, but to God fighting on their behalf ([Joshua 10:42](/joshua/10-42 "Joshua 10:42 - The Lord Fought for Israel")), demonstrating His ultimate control over nations and their destinies.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **King (Hebrew, _melek'_):** Derived from the root meaning "to rule," this term denotes a sovereign ruler, typically of a city-state in the ancient Near East. In the context of Joshua 12, "king" signifies not just an individual but the entire political, military, and often religious authority of a city and its surrounding territory. The defeat of these kings represented the dismantling of the Canaanite power structure and the establishment of Israelite dominion.
* **Jerusalem (Hebrew, _Yᵉrûwshâlaim'_):** This name, likely meaning "founded peaceful," refers to the capital city of Palestine. At the time of the conquest, it was known as Jebus and inhabited by the Jebusites. Its king, Adoni-zedek, was a powerful figure who led a coalition of southern kings against Gibeon, prompting Joshua's decisive intervention ([Joshua 10:3-5](/joshua/10-3-5 "Joshua 10:3-5 - Adoni-zedek's Coalition")). While Adoni-zedek was defeated and executed, the city of Jerusalem itself was not fully conquered by Judah until much later, remaining a Jebusite stronghold for centuries ([Judges 1:21](/judges/1-21 "Judges 1:21 - The Jebusites in Jerusalem")). The listing here refers to the decisive defeat of its ruling power, significantly weakening its influence.
* **Hebron (Hebrew, _Chebrôwn'_):** Meaning "seat of association," Hebron was an ancient and strategically vital city in the Judean hill country, holding deep historical significance for Israel as a patriarchal dwelling place and burial site. Its king, Hoham, was also part of the southern coalition that Joshua defeated ([Joshua 10:3](/joshua/10-3 "Joshua 10:3 - King Hoham of Hebron")). Unlike Jerusalem, Hebron was fully conquered and later given to Caleb as his inheritance, a testament to his unwavering faith and courage ([Joshua 14:13-15](/joshua/14-13-15 "Joshua 14:13-15 - Caleb's Inheritance of Hebron")).

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The king of Jerusalem, one;":** This clause identifies the first of two specific kings mentioned in this verse. "The king of Jerusalem" refers to Adoni-zedek, whose significant defeat is recounted in [Joshua 10](/joshua/10 "Joshua 10 - The Southern Campaign"). The appended "one" acts as a numerical tally, emphasizing that this particular king represents a single, distinct victory, contributing to the overall count of thirty-one vanquished rulers. It underscores the systematic and complete nature of the conquest, where each enemy stronghold was individually subdued.
* **"the king of Hebron, one;":** This second clause names Hoham, the king of Hebron, as another individual ruler decisively defeated by Joshua's forces. Hebron was a major city, and its conquest was a critical victory in securing the southern highlands. Like the previous clause, the "one" reiterates the individual accounting of each king, reinforcing the comprehensive scope of Israel's military success and the dismantling of Canaanite power structures across the land. This repetition serves to emphasize the thoroughness of God's work through Joshua.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 12:10, as part of a larger list, primarily employs **Enumeration** and **Repetition**. The entire chapter is an extended enumeration, systematically listing each defeated king and their city. This device serves to underscore the completeness and thoroughness of the conquest, leaving no doubt about the extent of Israel's victories and the fulfillment of God's promise to give them the land. The repetition of "one" after each king's designation (e.g., "the king of Jerusalem, one; the king of Hebron, one;") emphasizes the individual defeat of each distinct political entity, reinforcing the idea of a comprehensive and decisive victory over a multitude of independent powers. This repetitive structure also lends a rhythmic, almost litany-like quality to the text, solidifying the historical record and the undeniable fulfillment of divine promises. The chapter also functions as a form of **Summary**, providing a concise and authoritative overview of the preceding military narratives, validating the success of the initial phase of the conquest.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 12:10, though seemingly a dry list, is profoundly theological. It stands as a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness and His active involvement in human history. The defeat of these formidable kings, especially those from strategic cities like Jerusalem and Hebron, was not merely a result of Israel's military prowess but a direct fulfillment of God's covenant promises to give Abraham's descendants the land of Canaan. It demonstrates God's righteous judgment against the wickedness of the Canaanite nations and His sovereign power to clear the way for His chosen people to inherit their promised dwelling. This verse, therefore, is a micro-illustration of God's grand redemptive plan unfolding, where His word proves true and His purposes are accomplished through His appointed leaders. It highlights that the land was not taken by Israel's might, but was a divine gift, secured by divine intervention.

* [Numbers 33:53](/numbers/33-53 "Numbers 33:53 - Dispossessing the Inhabitants")
* [Deuteronomy 9:4-5](/deuteronomy/9-4-5 "Deuteronomy 9:4-5 - Not for Your Righteousness")
* [Psalm 44:3](/psalm/44-3 "Psalm 44:3 - Not by Our Sword")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 12:10, despite its brevity and seemingly mundane nature as a list, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It is a powerful reminder that God is meticulously faithful to His promises, even when their fulfillment requires overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Just as He systematically dismantled the strongholds of Canaanite power to establish Israel in their inheritance, so too does God work to overcome the spiritual strongholds in our lives and in the world, enabling us to walk in the freedom and inheritance He has prepared for us. This verse encourages us to trust in God's sovereign power and His perfect timing, knowing that He is actively working out His purposes, even through challenging circumstances. It calls us to recognize that our victories, whether personal or corporate, are ultimately His doing, and that His word will always stand true, bringing about His intended outcomes. This historical record serves as an anchor for faith, assuring us that the God who delivered Israel is the same God who will deliver us and fulfill every promise He has made.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous listing of defeated kings in Joshua 12:10 strengthen your faith in God's faithfulness to His promises in your own life?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to trust God to overcome "kings" or strongholds that seem insurmountable, knowing He fights for you?**
* **How does understanding God's righteous judgment in the conquest of Canaan shape your view of His character and His ongoing work in the world, particularly concerning sin and justice?**

### FAQ
**Why is Jerusalem listed here if it wasn't fully conquered by Joshua?**

Answer: While Jerusalem (then Jebus) was not fully captured and occupied by Israel during Joshua's initial campaigns, its king, Adoni-zedek, was decisively defeated and executed by Joshua in the southern campaign detailed in [Joshua 10](/joshua/10 "Joshua 10 - The Southern Campaign"). This victory broke the power of Jerusalem's leadership and effectively neutralized its threat, even if the city itself remained a Jebusite stronghold for a time. The list in Joshua 12 focuses on the defeat of the kings, representing the dismantling of their authority and military capacity, rather than necessarily the immediate and complete occupation of every single city. The full capture of Jerusalem by Israel would only occur centuries later under King David ([2 Samuel 5:6-9](/2_samuel/5-6-9 "2 Samuel 5:6-9 - David Captures Jerusalem")). This distinction highlights that the conquest was a process, not a single event, and Joshua's primary mission was to break the power of the land's rulers.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The systematic conquest of the Canaanite kings, epitomized by the defeat of the kings of Jerusalem and Hebron in [Joshua 12:10](/joshua/12-10 "Joshua 12:10 - Kings of Jerusalem and Hebron"), profoundly foreshadows the ultimate victory of Jesus Christ. Just as Joshua led Israel to conquer earthly kings and establish their inheritance, so Christ, the greater Joshua, came to conquer the spiritual powers of darkness and secure an eternal inheritance for His people. The kings of Canaan represent the forces of evil, sin, and death that held humanity captive. Christ's death on the cross and His resurrection were the decisive battles, defeating Satan ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")), sin ([Romans 6:6](/romans/6-6 "Romans 6:6 - Our Old Self Crucified")), and death ([1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54-57 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death")). His kingdom is not of this world, yet it is established by His supreme authority over all earthly and spiritual rulers ([Ephesians 1:20-23](/ephesians/1-20-23 "Ephesians 1:20-23 - Christ's Supremacy")). The promised land, secured through the defeat of these kings, points to the spiritual rest and eternal dwelling believers find in Christ, who has secured our true inheritance in the heavenly places ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")) by triumphing over every hostile power and establishing His eternal reign.

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

Joshua 10:23

And they did so, and brought forth those five kings unto him out of the cave, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, [and] the king of Eglon.

Joshua 10:36

And Joshua went up from Eglon, and all Israel with him, unto Hebron; and they fought against it:

Joshua 10:37

And they took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof, and all the cities thereof, and all the souls that [were] therein; he left none remaining, according to all that he had done to Eglon; but destroyed it utterly, and all the souls that [were] therein.

Joshua 10:3

Wherefore Adonizedek king of Jerusalem sent unto Hoham king of Hebron, and unto Piram king of Jarmuth, and unto Japhia king of Lachish, and unto Debir king of Eglon, saying,