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Commentary on Joshua 12 verses 7–24
7 ¶ And these are the kings of the country which Joshua and the children of Israel smote on this side Jordan on the west, from Baalgad in the valley of Lebanon even unto the mount Halak, that goeth up to Seir; which Joshua gave unto the tribes of Israel for a possession according to their divisions;
8 In the mountains, and in the valleys, and in the plains, and in the springs, and in the wilderness, and in the south country; the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites:
9 The king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai, which is beside Bethel, one;
10 The king of Jerusalem, one; the king of Hebron, one;
11 The king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one;
12 The king of Eglon, one; the king of Gezer, one;
13 The king of Debir, one; the king of Geder, one;
14 The king of Hormah, one; the king of Arad, one;
15 The king of Libnah, one; the king of Adullam, one;
16 The king of Makkedah, one; the king of Bethel, one;
17 The king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one;
18 The king of Aphek, one; the king of Lasharon, one;
19 The king of Madon, one; the king of Hazor, one;
20 The king of Shimronmeron, one; the king of Achshaph, one;
21 The king of Taanach, one; the king of Megiddo, one;
22 The king of Kedesh, one; the king of Jokneam of Carmel, one;
23 The king of Dor in the coast of Dor, one; the king of the nations of Gilgal, one;
24 The king of Tirzah, one: all the kings thirty and one.
We have here a breviate of Joshua's conquests.
I. The limits of the country he conquered. It lay between Jordan on the east and the Mediterranean Sea on the west, and extended from Baal-gad near Lebanon in the north to Halak, which lay upon the country of Edom in the south, v. 7. The boundaries are more largely described, Num 34:2, etc. But what is here said is enough to show that God had been as good as his word, and had given them possession of all he had promised them by Moses, if they would but have kept it.
II. The various kinds of land that were found in this country, which contributed both to its pleasantness and to its fruitfulness, Jos 12:8. There were mountains, not craggy, and rocky, and barren, which are frightful to the traveller and useless to the inhabitants, but fruitful hills, such as put forth precious things (Deu 33:15), which charmed the spectator's eye and filled the owner's hand. And valleys, not mossy and boggy, but covered with corn, Psa 65:13. There were plains, and springs to water them; and even in that rich land there were wildernesses too, or forests, which were not so thickly inhabited as other parts, yet had towns and houses in them, but served as foils to set off the more pleasant and fruitful countries.
III. The several nations that had been in possession of this country - Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, etc., all of them descended from Canaan, the accursed son of Ham, Gen 10:15-18. Seven nations they are called (Deu 7:1), and so many are there reckoned up, but here six only are mentioned, the Girgashites being either lost or left out, though we find them, Gen 10:16 and Gen 15:21. Either they were incorporated with some other of these nations, or, as the tradition of the Jews is, upon the approach of Israel under Joshua they all withdrew and went into Africa, leaving their country to be possessed by Israel, with whom they saw it was to no purpose to contend, and therefore they are not named among the nations that Joshua subdued.
IV. A list of the kings that were conquered and subdued by the sword of Israel, some in the field, others in their own cities, thirty-one in all, and very particularly named and counted, it should seem, in the order in which they were conquered; for the catalogue begins with the kings of Jericho and Ai, then takes in the king of Jerusalem and the princes of the south that were in confederacy with him, and then proceeds to those of the northern association. Now, 1. This shows what a very fruitful country Canaan then was, which could support so many kingdoms, and in which so many kings chose to throng together rather than disperse themselves into other countries, which we may suppose not yet inhabited, but where, though they might find more room, they could not expect such plenty and pleasure: this was the land God spied out for Israel; and yet at this day it is one of the most barren, despicable, and unprofitable countries in the world: such is the effect of the curse it lies under, since its possessors rejected Christ and his gospel, as was foretold by Moses, Deu 29:23. 2. It shows what narrow limits men's ambition was then confined to. These kings contented themselves with the government, each of them, of one city and the towns and villages that pertained to it; and no one of them, for aught that appears, aimed to make himself master of the rest, but, when there was occasion, all united for the common safety. Yet it should seem that what was wanting in the extent of their territories was made up in the absoluteness of their power, their subjects being all their tenants and vassals, and entirely at their command. 3. It shows how good God was to Israel, in giving them victory over all these kings, and possession of all these kingdoms, and what obligations he hereby laid upon them to observe his statutes and to keep his laws, Psa 105:44, Psa 105:45. Here were thirty-one kingdoms, or seigniories, to be divided among nine tribes and a half of Israel. Of these there fell to the lot of Judah the kingdoms of Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, Eglon, Debir, Arad, Libnan, and Adullam, eight in all, besides part of the kingdom of Jerusalem and part of Geder. Benjamin had the kingdoms of Jericho, Ai, Jerusalem, Makkedah, Beth-el, and the nations of Gilgal, six in all. Simeon had the kingdom of Hormah and part of Geder. Ephraim had the kingdoms of Gezer and Tirzah. Manasseh (that half-tribe) had the kingdoms of Tappuah and Hepher, Taanach and Megiddo. Asher had the kingdoms of Aphek and Achshaph. Zebulun had the kingdoms of Lasharon, Shimron-meron, and Jokneam. Naphtali had the kingdoms of Madon, Hazor, and Kedesh. And Issachar had that of Dor. These were some of the great and famous kings that God smote, for his mercy endureth for ever; and gave their land for a heritage, even a heritage unto Israel his servant, for his mercy endureth for ever, Psa 136:17, etc.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 7–24. Public domain.
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Origen of AlexandriaAD 253
COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 6.21-22
And if “a wise man shall understand the words from his own mouth and shall hear knowledge on his lips,” we must either declare rashly that the prophets were not wise, if they have not understood “the words from their own mouth,” or admit that the prophets were wise, because they have received what is correct and true and have understood “the words from their own mouth” and borne knowledge on their lips. It is clear that Moses saw in his mind the truth of the law and the allegorical meanings related to the anagogical sense of the stories he recorded, and that Joshua understood the true distribution of land which took place after the overthrow of the twenty-nine kings, since he could see better than us that the things accomplished through himself were shadows of certain realities.
Ephrem the SyrianAD 373
COMMENTARY ON TATIAN’S DIATESSARON 19.8
Whoever believes in me will also do the works which I do, and will do even greater ones. And where is this word which he said, “The disciple is not greater than his master” [illustrated]? For example, Moses killed only three kings, but Joshua killed thirty. [Moses] persevered in prayer, made supplication, but did not enter [the promised land]. It was Joshua rather who entered and shared out the inheritance. Likewise, Samuel was greater than Eli, and Elisha received a double portion of his master’s spirit after his ascension, like the Lord our Savior, for his disciples effected twice through their signs.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Joshua 12:12, a concise enumeration of two defeated Canaanite rulers, the king of Eglon and the king of Gezer, serves as a microcosm of the broader summary chapter detailing Israel's comprehensive conquest of the Promised Land under Joshua's leadership. This verse, embedded within a meticulous list of thirty-one vanquished kings west of the Jordan, underscores the thoroughness of God's fulfillment of His covenant promises, demonstrating His unwavering faithfulness and the decisive nature of the victory granted to His people. It transforms a mere historical record into a profound theological declaration of divine sovereignty and the successful establishment of Israel in their inheritance.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Joshua 12:12, as part of a larger list, primarily employs Enumeration and Repetition. The entire chapter is an extensive enumeration of defeated kings, providing a systematic and exhaustive tally of Israel's conquests. This device serves to underscore the completeness and thoroughness of the victory. The Repetition of the word "one" (אֶחָד, ʼechâd') after each king's name reinforces the individual, distinct nature of each victory, contributing to the grand total. This repetitive structure creates a rhythmic, almost litany-like effect, emphasizing the overwhelming scale of God's work. Furthermore, the list itself functions as a form of Summary, consolidating the detailed narratives of previous chapters into a concise, impactful statement of divine accomplishment. While not a direct literary device, the chapter also utilizes Symbolism, where the sheer number of defeated kings symbolizes God's absolute power and faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Israel, transforming a mere historical record into a powerful theological declaration.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 12:12, though a simple line in a list, is profoundly significant in its theological implications. It stands as a testament to God's meticulous and unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. The defeat of these individual kings, like Eglon and Gezer, is not merely a historical footnote but a concrete manifestation of God's active involvement in the history of His people. It demonstrates that the God of Israel is a God who keeps His word, fulfilling the ancient promises made to Abraham regarding the land of Canaan as an inheritance for his descendants. This systematic disinheritance of the Canaanites also highlights God's justice and judgment against the rampant wickedness and idolatry that characterized the land, establishing a holy space for His covenant people. The comprehensive nature of these victories, summarized in this chapter, provides assurance that God's plans, though sometimes unfolding through long and arduous processes, will ultimately come to full fruition.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The seemingly dry list of defeated kings in Joshua 12:12, and the entire chapter, offers profound spiritual lessons for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder that God is utterly faithful to His promises, regardless of the obstacles or the passage of time. Just as He methodically and completely subdued the formidable enemies of Israel to grant them their inheritance, so too does He work in our lives, overcoming spiritual strongholds and fulfilling His purposes. This passage encourages us to trust in God's sovereignty and power, even when facing seemingly insurmountable challenges. It calls us to persevere in obedience, knowing that our victories, both large and small, are ultimately orchestrated by Him. The thoroughness of the conquest should inspire us to pursue a "total victory" in our spiritual lives, allowing God to conquer every area that is not fully yielded to Him, trusting that He will complete the good work He began in us.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is such a detailed list of defeated kings important in the Bible?
Answer: This detailed list, including Joshua 12:12, is crucial for several reasons. First, it serves as a historical record, verifying the factual basis of the conquest and providing undeniable evidence for future generations of Israel that God indeed delivered on His promises. Second, it functions as a theological statement of God's absolute sovereignty and faithfulness. The sheer number and specific identification of defeated kings underscore that the conquest was not a partial or haphazard event, but a comprehensive and divinely orchestrated fulfillment of His covenant with Abraham (e.g., Genesis 15:18). It demonstrates God's power over all earthly rulers and His commitment to establishing His people in the land He promised. Finally, it highlights the completeness of the initial phase of the conquest, setting the stage for the subsequent division of the land among the tribes, ensuring that Israel understood their inheritance was a gift secured by God's mighty hand.
What happened to the cities of Eglon and Gezer after their kings were defeated?
Answer: The fate of Eglon and Gezer after their kings' defeat illustrates the varying degrees of Israel's conquest and possession. Eglon was definitively captured and utterly destroyed by Joshua during the southern campaign, as recorded in Joshua 10:34-35. Its king was executed, and the city was put to the ban, meaning its inhabitants were utterly destroyed, fulfilling God's command for judgment against the Canaanites. Gezer, however, presents a more complex picture. While its king was defeated in battle (mentioned in Joshua 10:33 and listed here), the city itself was not fully conquered by Joshua's generation. Judges 1:29 states that the tribe of Ephraim, to whom Gezer was allotted, failed to drive out the Canaanites living there, though they did make them forced labor. Gezer remained a Canaanite stronghold until much later, when it was captured by an Egyptian Pharaoh and given as a dowry to Solomon's wife (1 Kings 9:16). This distinction highlights that while the kings were defeated, signifying a breaking of Canaanite power, the complete possession of the land was a process that extended beyond Joshua's lifetime, often hindered by Israel's incomplete obedience.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 12:12, and the entire chapter detailing the conquest of Canaan, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Joshua, whose name is a form of "Jesus" (Yeshua), serves as a type of Christ, leading God's people into their promised inheritance. Just as Joshua led Israel to conquer earthly kings and possess a physical land, Jesus, the greater Joshua, leads His people into a spiritual inheritance and a heavenly kingdom. The defeat of the kings of Eglon and Gezer foreshadows Christ's decisive victory over far more formidable adversaries: sin, death, and the spiritual forces of darkness. Through His crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus disarmed and triumphed over all spiritual "rulers and authorities" (Colossians 2:15). The rest that Israel found in the land, though imperfect and temporary, points to the true and eternal rest that believers find in Christ (Hebrews 4:8-10). The comprehensive list of defeated kings in Joshua 12 assures us that Christ's victory is total and complete; He has conquered every enemy that stands between us and our eternal inheritance. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), and the King of Kings who will ultimately establish His perfect and everlasting kingdom (Revelation 19:16).