Joshua 12:5

And reigned in mount Hermon, and in Salcah, and in all Bashan, unto the border of the Geshurites and the Maachathites, and half Gilead, the border of Sihon king of Heshbon.

And reigned {H4910} in mount {H2022} Hermon {H2768}, and in Salcah {H5548}, and in all Bashan {H1316}, unto the border {H1366} of the Geshurites {H1651} and the Maachathites {H4602}, and half {H2677} Gilead {H1568}, the border {H1366} of Sihon {H5511} king {H4428} of Heshbon {H2809}.

and he ruled Mount Hermon; Salkhah; all Bashan, to the border with the G'shuri and the Ma'akhati; and half of Gil'ad, to its border with Sichon king of Heshbon.

He ruled over Mount Hermon, Salecah, all of Bashan up to the border of the Geshurites and Maacathites, and half of Gilead to the border of Sihon king of Heshbon.

and ruled in mount Hermon, and in Salecah, and in all Bashan, unto the border of the Geshurites and the Maacathites, and half Gilead, the border of Sihon king of Heshbon.

Commentary

Context

Joshua 12 serves as a vital summary chapter, meticulously detailing the kings and territories that the Israelites conquered. This particular verse, Joshua 12:5, focuses specifically on the dominion of Og, king of Bashan, one of the two powerful Amorite kings defeated by Moses before the Israelites crossed the Jordan River into Canaan. The preceding verses (Joshua 12:1-6) enumerate these victories east of the Jordan, setting the stage for Joshua's campaigns in the west. This historical record emphasizes the thoroughness of God's provision and the fulfillment of His promises to Israel, laying the groundwork for the distribution of land to the tribes.

Key Themes

  • Divine Faithfulness: This verse, along with the entire chapter, underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. He delivered the land to Israel, enabling them to defeat formidable kings like Og, who was known for his immense stature and powerful kingdom (Deuteronomy 3:11).
  • Thorough Conquest and Defined Borders: The detailed geographical description—including "mount Hermon," "Salcah," "all Bashan," and "half Gilead"—highlights the completeness of the victory and the precise boundaries of the conquered territory. This specificity was crucial for the subsequent tribal inheritances.
  • Historical Record of Inheritance: The listing of conquered lands served as a legal and historical document, affirming the legitimacy of Israel's claim to the land and the future allotments for the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, who settled in this Transjordanian region (Joshua 13:29-31).

Linguistic and Geographical Insights

The names mentioned in this verse are rich with geographical and historical significance:

  • Mount Hermon: A majestic and prominent peak marking the northernmost extent of Og's kingdom, known for its snow-capped summit and strategic importance.
  • Salcah: A city located on the eastern border of Bashan, indicating the easternmost reach of Og's dominion.
  • Bashan: A fertile and prosperous region known for its rich pasturelands and strong cattle, making its conquest a significant gain for Israel.
  • Geshurites and Maachathites: These were small Aramaean kingdoms whose borders defined the northern and eastern limits of Og's territory that Israel took. They were not fully subdued by Israel at this point, indicating the extent of Og's former influence.
  • Half Gilead: The region of Gilead was divided, with one part belonging to Og's kingdom and the other to Sihon's. This division illustrates the careful delineation of conquered territories.
  • Sihon king of Heshbon: The mention of Sihon's border connects Og's territory to that of the other Amorite king defeated by Moses, Sihon king of Heshbon, whose kingdom lay to the south of Bashan.

Significance and Application

While a seemingly dry list of names, Joshua 12:5 offers profound insights for today:

  • God's Power Overcomes All Obstacles: Just as God enabled Moses to defeat powerful kings like Og and Sihon, He empowers believers to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges in their lives. The detailed account reminds us that no enemy or circumstance is too great for God.
  • The Importance of God's Promises: This verse serves as a tangible reminder that God keeps His promises. What He declares, He brings to pass. This should build our trust and confidence in His Word, knowing that His plans for us will be fulfilled.
  • A Foundation for Future Blessings: The victories achieved under Moses were a necessary foundation for Joshua's subsequent conquests and the eventual settlement of the land. Similarly, God's past faithfulness in our lives provides a strong foundation for future blessings and challenges.
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

  • Deuteronomy 3:14

    Jair the son of Manasseh took all the country of Argob unto the coasts of Geshuri and Maachathi; and called them after his own name, Bashanhavothjair, unto this day.

  • 1 Samuel 27:8

    ¶ And David and his men went up, and invaded the Geshurites, and the Gezrites, and the Amalekites: for those [nations were] of old the inhabitants of the land, as thou goest to Shur, even unto the land of Egypt.

  • Joshua 13:11

    And Gilead, and the border of the Geshurites and Maachathites, and all mount Hermon, and all Bashan unto Salcah;

  • Deuteronomy 3:8

    And we took at that time out of the hand of the two kings of the Amorites the land that [was] on this side Jordan, from the river of Arnon unto mount Hermon;

  • Deuteronomy 3:10

    All the cities of the plain, and all Gilead, and all Bashan, unto Salchah and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan.

  • 2 Samuel 15:8

    For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.

  • Deuteronomy 4:47

    And they possessed his land, and the land of Og king of Bashan, two kings of the Amorites, which [were] on this side Jordan toward the sunrising;
← Back