Joshua 12:24

KJV

The king of Tirzah, one: all the kings thirty and one.

KJV (with Strong's)

The king {H4428} of Tirzah {H8656}, one {H259}: all the kings {H4428} thirty {H7970} and one {H259}.

Complete Jewish Bible

the king of Tirtzah making a total of thirty-one kings.

Berean Standard Bible

and the king of Tirzah, one. So there were thirty-one kings in all.

American Standard Version

the king of Tirzah, one: all the kings thirty and one.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 12:24 serves as the concluding statement to the comprehensive list of kings and territories conquered by the Israelites under Joshua's leadership west of the Jordan River. This verse specifically names the king of Tirzah as the final entry and then provides the grand total of thirty-one kings defeated, thereby underscoring the thoroughness and completeness of God's fulfillment of His covenant promises to Israel regarding the land of Canaan. It acts as a powerful summary, highlighting the decisive nature of this initial phase of the conquest before the land's division among the tribes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua chapter 12 functions as a crucial summary and triumphant capstone following the detailed accounts of Israel's military campaigns. Verses 1-6 meticulously list the kings conquered by Moses east of the Jordan, while verses 7-24 enumerate the kings defeated by Joshua west of the Jordan. Joshua 12:24, as the final verse of this extensive catalog, provides the definitive numerical summary of Joshua's victories, emphasizing the successful completion of a major phase of the conquest. It transitions the narrative from conquest to the subsequent division of the land, affirming that the initial divine mandate to take the land has been largely accomplished.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The conquest described in Joshua was not merely a territorial expansion but a divinely commanded act of judgment against the morally corrupt and idolatrous Canaanite city-states. The "kings" mentioned were typically rulers of independent city-states, often fortified, rather than vast empires. The enumeration of 31 kings signifies the subjugation of a significant number of these autonomous entities, reflecting the extensive network of resistance the Israelites overcame. The mention of Tirzah, though later a prominent capital of the Northern Kingdom, here appears simply as one of the many city-states brought under Israelite control, indicating the early stages of Israelite dominance and the comprehensive nature of their military operations across the land.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, within the broader context of [Joshua 12](/joshua/12 "Joshua 12 - Summary of Conquered Kings"), powerfully reinforces the theme of **Divine Faithfulness and Fulfillment of Promise**. The systematic defeat of numerous kings, culminating in the precise total of thirty-one, is a tangible demonstration of God's unwavering commitment to give the land of Canaan to Israel, as promised to Abraham in [Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "Genesis 15:18 - God's Covenant with Abraham") and reiterated throughout the Pentateuch. It also highlights the **Thoroughness and Completeness of God's Work**, showing that the conquest was not partial but extensive, laying the groundwork for the [division of the land](/joshua/14 "Joshua 14 - Division of the Land West of the Jordan") among the tribes. Furthermore, it underscores the **Sovereignty of God in Warfare**, as these victories were not merely human achievements but divine orchestrations, demonstrating God fighting for His people and delivering them from their enemies.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Tirzah (Hebrew, _Tirtsah'_):** A significant Canaanite city that would later become an important capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel (e.g., [1 Kings 14:17](/1_kings/14-17 "1 Kings 14:17 - Jeroboam's Wife Dies in Tirzah")). Its inclusion here as one of the conquered kings signifies the thoroughness and scope of the initial conquest, encompassing strategically important locations across the land. At this stage, it is simply one of the many city-states brought under Israelite control, demonstrating the extent of their victories.
* **one (Hebrew, _echad'_):** While seemingly simple, "one" here emphasizes the individual enumeration of each king, reinforcing the meticulous record-keeping and the specific, rather than general, nature of the conquest. It highlights that each city-state, no matter how small or large, was individually subdued and accounted for, contributing to the overall comprehensive victory.
* **thirty and one (Hebrew, _sheloshim v'echad'_):** This precise numerical tally underscores the comprehensive nature of the victory. It is not an approximation but a definitive count, emphasizing the extent of God's deliverance and Israel's success in dispossessing the inhabitants of the land. The meticulous detail serves to affirm the historical reality and the magnitude of the divine accomplishment, leaving no doubt about the scope of the conquest.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The king of Tirzah, one:"** This phrase specifically names Tirzah as the final king in the list of those conquered west of the Jordan by Joshua. The "one" reiterates that Tirzah represents a single, distinct entity among the many defeated kings, concluding the extensive enumeration that began in [Joshua 12:7](/joshua/12-7 "Joshua 12:7 - Kings Conquered West of the Jordan"). It signifies the completion of the detailed record, demonstrating the thoroughness of the conquest.
* **"all the kings thirty and one."** This concluding statement provides the grand total of kings conquered by Joshua and the Israelites west of the Jordan River. The number "thirty and one" (31) serves as a powerful summary, emphasizing the comprehensive and decisive nature of the conquest. It highlights the vast number of independent city-states that were subdued, demonstrating the overwhelming success of God's plan and Israel's military campaigns under Joshua's leadership.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 12:24, as part of a larger list, primarily employs **Enumeration** and **Summary**. The meticulous listing of individual kings throughout the chapter, culminating in the precise total of "thirty and one," serves to underscore the comprehensive nature of the conquest. This detailed **Cataloging** lends an air of historical authenticity and thoroughness to the narrative, emphasizing that the victories were not vague or partial, but specific and complete. The verse also functions as a **Climax** to the list, providing a definitive numerical capstone to the preceding accounts of individual conquests, thereby reinforcing the theme of divine faithfulness and the successful execution of God's covenant promises. The precise numerical total provides a sense of finality and accomplishment to this phase of Israel's history.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 12:24, by providing a definitive tally of conquered kings, serves as a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Israel. The comprehensive nature of these victories, culminating in 31 defeated rulers, demonstrates that God actively fought for His people, enabling them to possess the land He had sworn to their ancestors. This divine intervention underscores the theme of God's sovereignty over nations and His commitment to His chosen people, showcasing His power to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. It reminds believers that God's word is reliable and His plans will be brought to fruition, even when the path seems difficult or the enemies appear numerous.

* [Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "Numbers 23:19 - God is Not a Man That He Should Lie")
* [Deuteronomy 7:1-2](/deuteronomy/7-1 "Deuteronomy 7:1-2 - Command to Destroy the Nations")
* [Joshua 21:43-45](/joshua/21-43 "Joshua 21:43-45 - God Gives Israel Rest and Land")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 12:24, while a historical summary of ancient conquests, offers profound and timeless lessons for contemporary believers. The meticulous record of God's faithfulness in delivering on His promise to give Israel the land serves as a powerful anchor for our own faith. Just as God comprehensively defeated 31 kings to secure Israel's inheritance, He is equally committed to fulfilling His promises in our lives, whether they pertain to provision, protection, or spiritual victory. This verse encourages us to trust in God's sovereign power, even when faced with overwhelming odds or seemingly insurmountable challenges. It calls us to reflect on areas where we need to rely more fully on His strength rather than our own, and to recognize that true victory comes through His divine enablement, not merely human effort. The completeness of the conquest reminds us that God's work is thorough, and He finishes what He starts, providing hope and assurance in our own spiritual journeys and encouraging us to walk in obedience to His commands.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the detailed enumeration of conquered kings in Joshua 12:24 strengthen your faith in God's faithfulness to His promises today?**
* **What "giants" or seemingly insurmountable obstacles in your life are you being called to trust God to conquer, just as He did for Israel?**
* **In what ways does the "completeness" of Israel's conquest challenge you to pursue thoroughness and obedience in your own walk with God?**

### FAQ
**Why is Tirzah specifically mentioned in Joshua 12:24?**

Answer: Tirzah is mentioned specifically because it is the final king listed in the enumeration of the 31 kings conquered by Joshua west of the Jordan River. Its inclusion provides a definitive conclusion to the detailed list, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the Israelite conquest. While Tirzah later gained prominence as a capital city of the Northern Kingdom, its mention here simply marks it as one of the significant city-states that fell under Israelite control during the initial phase of the conquest, underscoring the thoroughness of God's fulfillment of His promise to give the land to Israel, as outlined in [Joshua 11:23](/joshua/11-23 "Joshua 11:23 - Joshua Takes the Whole Land").

**Does the number "thirty and one" have any symbolic meaning beyond a literal count?**

Answer: While the primary meaning of "thirty and one" in [Joshua 12:24](/joshua/12-24 "Joshua 12:24 - The King of Tirzah, One: All the Kings Thirty and One") is a literal, historical tally of the kings conquered, its significance lies in what that number represents: the comprehensive and decisive nature of God's victory. It underscores the thoroughness of the conquest and the fulfillment of God's promise to dispossess the Canaanites. The precision of the number emphasizes the historical accuracy and the magnitude of the divine accomplishment, rather than a hidden symbolic code. It serves as a concrete demonstration that God's word, as given in [Deuteronomy 7:1-2](/deuteronomy/7-1 "Deuteronomy 7:1-2 - Command to Destroy the Nations"), was meticulously carried out.

**How does Joshua 12:24 relate to the overall theme of God's covenant with Israel?**

Answer: Joshua 12:24 is a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in which He promised to give their descendants the land of Canaan (e.g., [Genesis 15:18-21](/genesis/15-18 "Genesis 15:18-21 - God's Covenant with Abraham")). The enumeration of 31 conquered kings, culminating in this verse, provides irrefutable evidence that God was actively working to fulfill His word. It demonstrates that the land was not taken by Israel's might alone, but by God's sovereign power and His commitment to His covenant people. This verse, therefore, serves as a triumphant declaration that God keeps His promises, reinforcing the foundational theological truth that God is true to His word, as affirmed in [Joshua 21:45](/joshua/21-45 "Joshua 21:45 - Not One Word Failed").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 12:24, with its definitive tally of 31 conquered kings, serves as a powerful historical precursor and shadow of the ultimate, comprehensive victory achieved in Jesus Christ. Just as Joshua led Israel to dispossess earthly kings and inherit a physical land, Christ, the greater Joshua, has triumphed over far more formidable adversaries: sin, death, and the spiritual powers that hold humanity captive. The completeness of the conquest in Canaan foreshadows the absolute and decisive victory won on the cross, where Christ "disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross" ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Powers")). Through His resurrection, Jesus secured an eternal inheritance for all who believe, a spiritual kingdom far surpassing the earthly Canaan. His victory is not merely over 31 kings, but over every spiritual enemy, ensuring that those who are "in Christ" are "more than conquerors through him who loved us" ([Romans 8:37](/romans/8-37 "Romans 8:37 - More Than Conquerors")). The meticulous record of earthly conquest points to the perfect and complete redemption accomplished by the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), who by His sacrifice has opened the way to the true promised land, eternal life in His presence ([Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1-4 - The New Heaven and New Earth")).

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

1 Kings 16:23

In the thirty and first year of Asa king of Judah began Omri to reign over Israel, twelve years: six years reigned he in Tirzah.

Deuteronomy 7:24

And he shall deliver their kings into thine hand, and thou shalt destroy their name from under heaven: there shall no man be able to stand before thee, until thou have destroyed them.

2 Kings 15:14

For Menahem the son of Gadi went up from Tirzah, and came to Samaria, and smote Shallum the son of Jabesh in Samaria, and slew him, and reigned in his stead.