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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 12:20 is a concise yet profoundly significant verse, forming part of a comprehensive roll call of 31 kings conquered by the Israelites under Joshua's leadership. This chapter serves as a powerful summary, meticulously demonstrating the extent of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Israel regarding the land of Canaan, specifically naming the kings of Shimronmeron and Achshaph as two more vanquished rulers in the decisive northern campaign.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Joshua 12:20, and indeed throughout the entire chapter, is Cataloging or Enumeration. This systematic listing of defeated kings serves to emphasize the sheer scale, completeness, and meticulousness of Israel's victory. The repetitive structure, "the king of [city], one," creates a rhythmic, almost litany-like effect, reinforcing the thoroughness of the conquest and the divine hand behind each triumph. It functions as a powerful Summary Statement, providing a concise and impactful recapitulation of the preceding narrative of conquest. The meticulous detail of naming each king, even in a seemingly dry list, underscores the divine faithfulness in every victory and the fulfillment of every promise, transforming what could be mere historical record into a profound testament of God's power and commitment. The Repetition of "one" further emphasizes the individual and complete nature of each victory.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 12:20, as part of this comprehensive list, powerfully illustrates God's absolute faithfulness to His covenant promises and His sovereign power over all earthly kingdoms. The defeat of these kings, including those of Shimronmeron and Achshaph, was not merely a military triumph but a divinely orchestrated act of judgment against the wickedness of the Canaanite nations and a fulfillment of the land promise made to Abraham's descendants. This meticulous accounting underscores that God's work is thorough and complete, leaving no stone unturned in bringing about His redemptive and judgmental purposes. It serves as a testament to the truth that when God makes a promise, He is utterly reliable to bring it to pass, demonstrating His power to overcome all opposition for the sake of His people and His plan.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 12:20, though a brief line in a lengthy list, serves as a profound reminder of God's unwavering faithfulness and the certainty of His promises. Just as He meticulously ensured the defeat of every king and the possession of every promised territory for Israel, so too can believers today trust in His thoroughness and commitment to His Word. This passage encourages us to reflect on the "kings" or strongholds in our own lives—whether they be deeply entrenched sins, overwhelming fears, persistent doubts, or external pressures—and to recognize that through Christ, we are empowered to overcome them. It calls us to rely not on our own strength, but on the sovereign power of God, who orchestrates complete victories for His people. The meticulous accounting of each king also invites us to consider the detailed nature of God's work in our lives, often working in ways we may not fully perceive until the "summary" of His faithfulness is revealed, assuring us that His purposes will be fully accomplished.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why does the text list "one" after each king?
Answer: The term "one" (Hebrew: 'echad') in this context functions as a simple numerical tally or counter. It emphasizes that each named king represents a distinct, individual victory for Israel. This repetitive structure underscores the meticulous and comprehensive nature of the conquest, ensuring that every significant city-state ruler in the Promised Land was accounted for and defeated, leaving no enemy unconquered in the territories allotted to Israel. It highlights the completeness of God's work through Joshua, confirming that the divine mandate was thoroughly executed across the land, as stated in Joshua 11:23.
What was the significance of Shimronmeron and Achshaph?
Answer: Shimronmeron and Achshaph were significant Canaanite city-states located in the northern part of the land, specifically mentioned as part of the powerful northern coalition that gathered to fight Israel under the leadership of Jabin, king of Hazor (Joshua 11:1-5). Their defeat, detailed in the northern campaign (Joshua 11), was crucial for Israel to secure control over the northern territories and fulfill God's command to dispossess the Canaanites. Their inclusion in this list of conquered kings signifies the comprehensive nature of Israel's victory across the entire land of Canaan, demonstrating that even the most formidable northern alliances could not stand against the Lord's power and plan.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 12:20, with its seemingly dry enumeration of defeated kings, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the ultimate victory achieved by Jesus Christ. Just as Joshua led Israel to conquer earthly kings and possess a physical land, Christ, our greater Joshua, has triumphed over far more formidable spiritual adversaries. The listing of 31 vanquished kings in Joshua 12 foreshadows the comprehensive and decisive victory of Christ over sin, death, and the powers of darkness. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities, making a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross (Colossians 2:15). He is the true King who conquers all "kings" of spiritual bondage, delivering His people not into an earthly inheritance, but into an eternal one, secured by His perfect sacrifice and the new covenant He established (Hebrews 9:15). The meticulous accounting of each defeated king in Joshua points to the perfect and complete work of Christ, who leaves no enemy unconquered, ensuring that all who are in Him are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Romans 8:37).