Joshua 12:2

Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt in Heshbon, [and] ruled from Aroer, which [is] upon the bank of the river Arnon, and from the middle of the river, and from half Gilead, even unto the river Jabbok, [which is] the border of the children of Ammon;

Sihon {H5511} king {H4428} of the Amorites {H567}, who dwelt {H3427} in Heshbon {H2809}, and ruled {H4910} from Aroer {H6177}, which is upon the bank {H8193} of the river {H5158} Arnon {H769}, and from the middle {H8432} of the river {H5158}, and from half {H2677} Gilead {H1568}, even unto the river {H5158} Jabbok {H2999}, which is the border {H1366} of the children {H1121} of Ammon {H5983};

Sichon king of the Emori, who lived in Heshbon and ruled the territory that includes 'Aro'er, at the edge of the Arnon Valley; the middle of the valley; half of Gil'ad, to the Yabok River, which forms the border with the people of 'Amon;

Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon. He ruled from Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Valley, along the middle of the valley, up to the Jabbok River (the border of the Ammonites), that is, half of Gilead,

Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt in Heshbon, and ruled from Aroer, which is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon, and the city that is in the middle of the valley, and half Gilead, even unto the river Jabbok, the border of the children of Ammon;

Commentary

Joshua 12:2 begins a crucial summary list of kings and territories conquered by Israel. This particular verse details the kingdom of Sihon, the Amorite king, whose defeat under Moses was a pivotal moment in Israel's journey before entering the promised land of Canaan. It highlights the specific geographical boundaries of his domain, emphasizing the tangible nature of God's provision and victory for His people.

Context

The book of Joshua chronicles Israel's conquest of Canaan. Chapter 12 serves as an important recap, first listing the kings defeated by Moses on the east side of the Jordan River (verses 1-6), and then those conquered by Joshua on the west side (verses 7-24). Verse 2 focuses on Sihon, whose refusal to allow Israel passage led to a decisive battle. This victory secured vital territory for the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, providing a strategic foothold before the main invasion.

  • The defeat of Sihon is first recounted in Numbers 21:21-35, where Israel decisively took his land.
  • Moses himself reiterates the significance of this conquest in Deuteronomy 2:26-37, emphasizing God's hand in hardening Sihon's heart to ensure Israel's victory.

Key Themes

  • Divine Victory: The verse underscores God's power to deliver His people from formidable enemies. Sihon was a powerful king, yet his kingdom fell to Israel by divine decree.
  • Fulfillment of Promise: The detailed geographical description of Sihon's territory confirms God's faithfulness in beginning to fulfill His ancient promise of land to Abraham and his descendants, as seen in Genesis 12:7.
  • Historical Record and Certainty: The precise listing of boundaries and rulers provides undeniable proof of God's historical interventions and the reality of Israel's inheritance.

Geographical Significance

The verse meticulously outlines Sihon's kingdom:

  • Sihon king of the Amorites: The Amorites were a prominent Semitic people group inhabiting Canaan and Transjordan during various periods.
  • Heshbon: This was Sihon's capital city, strategically located east of the Jordan.
  • Aroer upon the bank of the river Arnon: Aroer marked the southern boundary of Sihon's territory, situated on the north bank of the River Arnon, which often served as a natural border in the region.
  • From the middle of the river, and from half Gilead, even unto the river Jabbok: This describes the extent of his rule northward. Gilead was a fertile region east of the Jordan, and the River Jabbok formed the northern border of Sihon's kingdom, separating it from the territory of the Ammonites.
  • The border of the children of Ammon: This detail specifies the neighboring nation to the north and east, highlighting the distinct boundaries God established for Israel among surrounding peoples. This territory was later settled by Israelite tribes, as outlined in Joshua 13:8-32.

Practical Application

While a historical geographical record, Joshua 12:2 holds timeless truths. It reminds believers that God is sovereign over all earthly kingdoms and meticulously fulfills His promises. Just as He delivered Israel from powerful kings and gave them a specific inheritance, He works in the lives of His people today to overcome obstacles and lead them into their spiritual inheritance. This detailed account reinforces trust in God's faithfulness and His ability to navigate and conquer even the most formidable challenges on our behalf, ensuring His purposes are achieved.

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

  • Genesis 32:22

    And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok.

  • Judges 11:13

    And the king of the children of Ammon answered unto the messengers of Jephthah, Because Israel took away my land, when they came up out of Egypt, from Arnon even unto Jabbok, and unto Jordan: now therefore restore those [lands] again peaceably.

  • Deuteronomy 3:6

    And we utterly destroyed them, as we did unto Sihon king of Heshbon, utterly destroying the men, women, and children, of every city.

  • Deuteronomy 3:17

    The plain also, and Jordan, and the coast [thereof], from Chinnereth even unto the sea of the plain, [even] the salt sea, under Ashdothpisgah eastward.

  • Judges 11:22

    And they possessed all the coasts of the Amorites, from Arnon even unto Jabbok, and from the wilderness even unto Jordan.

  • Psalms 135:11

    Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan:

  • Psalms 136:19

    Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy [endureth] for ever:
← Back