Joshua 12:22

The king of Kedesh, one; the king of Jokneam of Carmel, one;

The king {H4428} of Kedesh {H6943}, one {H259}; the king {H4428} of Jokneam {H3362} of Carmel {H3760}, one {H259};

the king of Kedesh, the king of Yokne'am in Karmel,

the king of Kedesh, one; the king of Jokneam in Carmel, one;

the king of Kedesh, one; the king of Jokneam in Carmel, one;

Commentary

Joshua 12:22 is part of a crucial summary chapter in the Book of Joshua, which meticulously lists the kings defeated by the Israelites during their conquest of Canaan. This specific verse names two significant rulers: the king of Kedesh and the king of Jokneam of Carmel, each counted as "one" of the many vanquished enemies.

Context of Joshua 12:22

Chapter 12 of Joshua serves as a comprehensive recapitulation of Israel's military victories in the Promised Land, following the detailed accounts of individual battles and campaigns. It systematically enumerates the kings defeated by Moses on the east side of the Jordan River (verses 1-6) and then by Joshua on the west side (verses 7-24). This chapter underscores the complete and decisive nature of the conquest, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham and his descendants to give them the land of Canaan.

  • Kedesh: Located in northern Galilee, Kedesh was a prominent Canaanite city-state. Later, it became a Levitical city and a city of refuge (Joshua 20:7).
  • Jokneam of Carmel: Situated at the northern edge of the Carmel mountain range, Jokneam controlled a vital pass and was strategically important. Its defeat opened up central Canaan.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Faithfulness and Fulfillment: The list of defeated kings, including Kedesh and Jokneam, powerfully demonstrates God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. He delivered the land into Israel's hands, just as He said He would.
  • Total Victory and Sovereignty: The meticulous counting of each king ("one") emphasizes the comprehensiveness of Israel's victory. It was not a partial success but a complete overthrow of the existing political structures in Canaan. This highlights God's ultimate sovereignty over nations and their rulers, showing that no earthly power can stand against His divine plan.
  • Historical Validation: The precise enumeration serves as a historical record, validating the biblical account of the conquest and the transfer of the land to the Israelite tribes. It underscores the reality of the events described in Joshua.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "king" is melek (ืžึถืœึถืšึฐ), referring to the ruler of a city-state, which was the common political structure in Canaan at the time. The repeated phrase "one" (Hebrew: echad, ืึถื—ึธื“) after each king's name provides a stark, almost statistical, tally of the individual powers overcome. This simple repetition reinforces the idea that each king, regardless of their individual strength or city's prominence, was decisively defeated and contributed to the total of thirty-one kings conquered by Joshua.

Practical Application

Joshua 12:22, as part of this victory summary, offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Trust in God's Promises: Just as God fulfilled His promise to give Israel the land, we can trust that He will fulfill His promises to us. No obstacle, however formidable, can thwart His divine purpose.
  • God Fights Our Battles: The Israelites' success was not solely due to their military prowess but because the Lord fought for Israel. This reminds us that in our spiritual battles, God is our ultimate strength and deliverer.
  • Victory Through Faith: The conquest of Canaan, culminating in lists like this, serves as a powerful testament to what God can accomplish through a people who obey and trust Him. It encourages us to have faith in His power to overcome challenges in our own lives.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Joshua 19:37

    And Kedesh, and Edrei, and Enhazor,

  • Joshua 21:32

    And out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, [to be] a city of refuge for the slayer; and Hammothdor with her suburbs, and Kartan with her suburbs; three cities.

  • Isaiah 35:2

    It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, [and] the excellency of our God.

  • Joshua 20:7

    ยถ And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjatharba, which [is] Hebron, in the mountain of Judah.

  • 1 Samuel 25:2

    ยถ And [there was] a man in Maon, whose possessions [were] in Carmel; and the man [was] very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.

  • Joshua 19:11

    And their border went up toward the sea, and Maralah, and reached to Dabbasheth, and reached to the river that [is] before Jokneam;

  • Joshua 15:55

    Maon, Carmel, and Ziph, and Juttah,
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