Joshua 12:19

KJV

The king of Madon, one; the king of Hazor, one;

KJV (with Strong's)

The king {H4428} of Madon {H4068}, one {H259}; the king {H4428} of Hazor {H2674}, one {H259};

Complete Jewish Bible

the king of Madon, the king of Hatzor,

Berean Standard Bible

the king of Madon, one; the king of Hazor, one;

American Standard Version

the king of Madon, one; the king of Hazor, one;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 12:19, "The king of Madon, one; the king of Hazor, one;", is a concise yet powerful declaration within the comprehensive list of thirty-one Canaanite kings defeated by the Israelites under Joshua's leadership. This verse, like the others in the chapter, serves as a triumphant summary, underscoring the remarkable extent of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Israel by granting them victory over formidable adversaries and establishing them securely in the Promised Land. It highlights the completeness of the conquest and the divine sovereignty at work in Israel's military success.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 12 serves as a pivotal summary chapter, marking the culmination of the conquest narratives in the Book of Joshua. It meticulously enumerates the kings defeated by Israel, first under Moses on the east side of the Jordan River (verses 1-6), and then under Joshua on the west side (verses 7-24). This chapter acts as a grand "victory roll call," providing irrefutable evidence of the thoroughness of the Israelite conquest. Verse 19 specifically names two more of the thirty-one kings, Madon and Hazor, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the divine victory. The preceding chapters, particularly [Joshua 10](/joshua/10 "Joshua 10 - Southern Campaign") and [Joshua 11](/joshua/11 "Joshua 11 - Northern Campaign"), detail the individual campaigns that led to these defeats, making chapter 12 a powerful concluding statement of God's fulfilled promises.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Canaanite landscape was characterized by numerous independent city-states, each ruled by its own "king" (often more akin to a city-lord or chieftain). These city-states, though independent, often formed coalitions for defense, as seen in the northern campaign against Hazor. Hazor, specifically, was a massive and strategically vital city in the northern Galilee, commanding major trade routes and possessing significant military might, making it the "head of all those kingdoms" ([Joshua 11:10](/joshua/11-10 "Joshua 11:10 - Hazor as Head of Kingdoms")). Its destruction, detailed in [Joshua 11:10-13](/joshua/11-10 "Joshua 11:10-13 - Destruction of Hazor"), was a monumental achievement, signaling the collapse of organized Canaanite resistance in the north. The defeat of these kings was not merely a military victory but a theological declaration, demonstrating Yahweh's supremacy over the local deities and rulers of Canaan, who were often considered divine or semi-divine by their subjects.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, embedded within Joshua 12, powerfully reinforces several core themes of the Book of Joshua and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost is **Divine Faithfulness and Fulfillment**, as God meticulously delivers on His ancient promise to Abraham to give his descendants the land of Canaan ([Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "Genesis 15:18 - God's Covenant with Abraham")). The detailed enumeration of defeated kings serves as tangible proof of this faithfulness. Another key theme is the **Completeness of Victory**. The repeated phrase "one" after each king's name underscores the totality of the conquest, leaving no king undefeated and no organized resistance to challenge Israel's claim to the Promised Land. This also speaks to **God's Sovereignty in Warfare**, highlighting that the conquest was not merely a human military endeavor but a divinely orchestrated campaign where "the Lord fought for Israel" ([Joshua 10:42](/joshua/10-42 "Joshua 10:42 - The Lord Fights for Israel")), demonstrating His supreme power over all earthly rulers and kingdoms.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **King (Hebrew, _melekh'_):** This term refers to the ruler of a city-state. In the context of Canaan, these "kings" were powerful figures, often military leaders, who commanded significant resources and influence over their respective territories. The systematic defeat of each king signifies the dismantling of the Canaanite political and military structure, paving the way for Israel's settlement. It emphasizes that the victory was not just over cities but over the very leadership that embodied Canaanite resistance.
* **One (Hebrew, _'echad'_):** The Hebrew word `אֶחָד` (*'echad*) here functions as a numerical tally, emphasizing that each king was individually and decisively defeated. It conveys a sense of singularity and completeness for each entry. This repetition of "one" after each king's name creates a cumulative effect throughout the chapter, underscoring the comprehensive and exhaustive nature of the Israelite victory. It means "a single one," leaving no doubt that every named king was conquered.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The king of Madon, one;":** This clause declares the defeat of the king of Madon, a city likely located in the northern part of Canaan, though its exact location is debated. Its inclusion in this list confirms its capture and the elimination of its ruler, contributing to the overall picture of a thorough conquest of the northern territories.
* **"the king of Hazor, one;":** This clause announces the defeat of the king of Hazor, a city of immense strategic importance in northern Canaan. As described in [Joshua 11:10](/joshua/11-10 "Joshua 11:10 - Hazor, Head of Kingdoms"), Hazor was the "head of all those kingdoms" ([Joshua 11:10](/joshua/11-10 "Joshua 11:10 - Hazor, Head of Kingdoms")). Its king's defeat was a pivotal moment in the conquest, signifying the breaking of the strongest resistance in the region and the thoroughness of Israel's victory. The repetition of "one" reinforces the definitive nature of this critical triumph.

#### Literary Devices
The most prominent literary device in Joshua 12:19, and indeed throughout the entire chapter, is **Repetition** (specifically, a form of **Anaphora** if considering the repeated structure at the beginning of each clause, or more broadly, **Enumeration**). The consistent phrase "the king of [city], one" creates a rhythmic, almost liturgical, recitation of victories. This repetitive structure serves to emphasize the sheer number and completeness of the conquests. It builds a cumulative effect, impressing upon the reader the overwhelming scale of God's deliverance and the thoroughness of Israel's triumph. The simple, declarative nature of each entry, devoid of elaborate description, highlights the factual and undeniable nature of the victories, reinforcing the theme of divine faithfulness in action.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 12:19, as part of the grand summary of conquests, profoundly testifies to God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. The systematic defeat of these kings, particularly the powerful king of Hazor, demonstrates that God was actively fighting for Israel, fulfilling His commitment to give them the land promised to Abraham. This passage underscores the theme of divine judgment against the wickedness of the Canaanite nations, as well as God's sovereign power to establish His people in their inheritance. It is a powerful reminder that God's word is reliable and His purposes will be accomplished, even against seemingly insurmountable odds.

* [Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "God's Covenant with Abraham Regarding the Land")
* [Deuteronomy 7:1-2](/deuteronomy/7-1 "Deuteronomy 7:1-2 - Command to Utterly Destroy Canaanites")
* [Joshua 11:10-13](/joshua/11-10 "Joshua 11:10-13 - Account of Hazor's Defeat")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While we no longer engage in physical conquest, Joshua 12:19 offers profound spiritual lessons for believers today. Just as God meticulously fulfilled His promises to Israel, demonstrating His power and faithfulness in overcoming their enemies, so too can we trust in His unwavering commitment to us. This passage encourages us to reflect on the "victories" God has already accomplished in our lives—the prayers answered, the challenges overcome, the spiritual strongholds broken—and to acknowledge His hand in them. It calls us to cultivate a spirit of gratitude and to remember that our ultimate triumph over sin, death, and spiritual adversaries is secured by God's power, not our own. When faced with daunting obstacles, we can draw confidence from the historical record of God's faithfulness, knowing that the same God who brought down the kings of Canaan is at work in our lives, equipping us for spiritual warfare and leading us to victory in Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the detailed list of defeated kings in Joshua 12 strengthen your faith in God's faithfulness to His promises today?**
* **What "giants" or seemingly insurmountable obstacles in your life or circumstances do you need to surrender to God, trusting in His sovereign power for victory?**
* **In what ways can you better "record" and celebrate the specific victories and interventions of God in your personal journey?**
* **How does understanding God's active role in Israel's conquest inform your approach to spiritual warfare in your own life, as described in passages like [Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Spiritual Warfare Against Principalities and Powers")?**

### FAQ
**Why is this detailed list of defeated kings, including Madon and Hazor, so important in the Book of Joshua?**

Answer: This detailed list is crucial because it serves as irrefutable evidence of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Israel. It demonstrates the comprehensive nature of the conquest, showing that no major Canaanite power or ruler was left undefeated. This enumeration validates the divine mandate given to Joshua and confirms that the land was indeed being given to Israel as promised, establishing their right to settle and possess it. It's a theological statement of victory, not merely a historical record.

**What was the particular significance of the defeat of the king of Hazor?**

Answer: The defeat of the king of Hazor was exceptionally significant because Hazor was the most powerful and strategically important city-state in northern Canaan, described as the "head of all those kingdoms" ([Joshua 11:10](/joshua/11-10 "Joshua 11:10 - Hazor, Head of Kingdoms")). Its king led a formidable coalition against Israel. Its capture and destruction, detailed earlier in [Joshua 11](/joshua/11 "Joshua 11 - The Northern Campaign"), represented the breaking of the strongest and most organized resistance in the north, symbolizing the complete subjugation of the region and the ultimate triumph of God's plan for Israel.

**Does this passage justify violence or conquest for believers today?**

Answer: No, this passage does not justify physical violence or conquest for believers today. The conquest of Canaan was a unique, divinely commanded event with specific theological purposes: to judge the extreme wickedness of the Canaanite nations and to establish Israel as a holy nation in the Promised Land, from whom the Messiah would come. This was a specific historical act of divine judgment and covenant fulfillment, not a perpetual model for Christian behavior. New Testament believers are called to spiritual warfare against spiritual forces ([Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Spiritual Warfare")) and to spread the Gospel through love and persuasion, not physical force.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 12:19, with its declaration of the defeat of earthly kings, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Joshua conquered physical kings and established an earthly kingdom, Christ's victory is far more profound and eternal. He is the true King of kings and Lord of lords ([Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords")), who did not conquer through military might but through sacrificial love and resurrection power. His death on the cross disarmed the spiritual "principalities and powers" that held humanity captive, triumphing over them publicly ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). Just as the kings of Canaan were "one" by "one" defeated to secure Israel's inheritance, so Christ, through His single, decisive act, conquered sin, death, and the devil, securing for all who believe an eternal inheritance in His heavenly kingdom ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ Destroys the Power of Death")). The comprehensive victory in Joshua foreshadows the even greater, all-encompassing victory of the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world and reigns eternally ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

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 11:1

¶ And it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor had heard [those things], that he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph,

Joshua 11:10

¶ And Joshua at that time turned back, and took Hazor, and smote the king thereof with the sword: for Hazor beforetime was the head of all those kingdoms.

Joshua 11:11

And they smote all the souls that [were] therein with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying [them]: there was not any left to breathe: and he burnt Hazor with fire.

Judges 4:2

And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host [was] Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles.