TRV
Translation
American Standard Version
the king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai, which is beside Beth-el, one;
World English Bible Messianic
the king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai, which is beside Bethel, one;
Young's Literal Translation
The king of Jericho, one; The king of Ai, which is beside Bethel, one;
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In the KJVVerse 6,140 of 31,102
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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 12:9 serves as a concise yet profound entry within the comprehensive catalog of defeated Canaanite kings (Joshua 12:7-24), marking the successful culmination of Israel's conquest of the land west of the Jordan. This specific verse highlights two pivotal victories from the initial central campaign: the king of Jericho and the king of Ai, thereby underscoring the early and decisive fulfillment of God's covenant promises to establish Israel in the Promised Land through a demonstration of His sovereign power and strategic guidance.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Joshua 12:9, as an excerpt from a larger victory catalog, effectively employs several literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is Enumeration, as the entire chapter is a meticulous list of defeated kings, providing a comprehensive and undeniable record of the conquest. Within this enumeration, the Repetition of the word "one" after each king serves to emphasize the distinct, complete, and singular nature of each victory, reinforcing the idea of God's thoroughness in fulfilling His promises. The verse also exhibits remarkable Conciseness, packing significant historical and theological information into a very brief statement. Furthermore, the mention of Jericho and Ai carries strong Symbolism; Jericho represents God's miraculous power to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles through unconventional means, while Ai represents the critical importance of obedience, corporate holiness, and repentance, even in the midst of divine favor, illustrating that human sin can impede divine blessing.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 12:9, embedded within the grand list of conquered kings, stands as a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness and omnipotence. It underscores the profound theological truth that God is a covenant-keeping God who meticulously fulfills His promises, even when the obstacles appear insurmountable. The systematic dismantling of Canaanite strongholds, beginning with strategically crucial cities like Jericho and Ai, vividly demonstrates God's sovereign judgment against the pervasive wickedness of the land and His active, direct role in establishing His chosen people. This historical record serves not merely as a chronicle of past military events but as an enduring declaration of God's power to deliver, to judge, and to provide a promised inheritance for His people, laying foundational groundwork for understanding His ongoing work in salvation history and His ultimate plan for redemption.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The concise record of victories in Joshua 12:9, particularly the mention of Jericho and Ai, offers profound encouragement and practical lessons for believers today. Just as God meticulously fulfilled His ancient promises to Israel by delivering the land and defeating their enemies, so too can we trust in His unwavering faithfulness to His promises in our lives. The miraculous fall of Jericho reminds us that no obstacle is too great for God; seemingly impossible situations can be overcome by His miraculous power when we obey His commands and rely on His strength. The initial setback at Ai, followed by ultimate victory after repentance, teaches us the vital importance of obedience, humility, and seeking God's guidance even after failure. Our spiritual battles, though different from physical conquest, require the same absolute reliance on God's strength, not our own. This verse calls us to cultivate a deep trust in God's present power, to courageously face our own "giants" and "fortified cities" (whether they be sins, fears, or life circumstances), knowing that our ultimate victory and inheritance come solely through Him.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is it important for the Bible to list all these defeated kings, including Jericho and Ai?
Answer: The detailed enumeration of defeated kings in Joshua 12 - List of Conquered Kings, including Jericho and Ai in verse 9, serves several crucial purposes. First, it acts as a historical record and legal document, meticulously validating the extent of Israel's territorial gains and solidifying their divinely granted claim to the Promised Land. This was essential for future generations to understand and secure their inheritance. Second, and most importantly, it functions as a powerful testimony to God's power and faithfulness. Each "one" signifies a distinct, complete victory, demonstrating that God systematically and comprehensively fulfilled His covenant promises to give the land to Israel (e.g., Genesis 15:18 - God's Covenant with Abraham). It underscores that the conquest was not merely a human military feat but a divinely orchestrated campaign, reminding future generations of God's mighty acts on their behalf and His unwavering commitment to His people and His word.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Joshua 12:9 meticulously details a physical conquest and the defeat of earthly kings, its ultimate theological fulfillment is profoundly realized in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The physical battles fought by Joshua against the kings of Canaan powerfully foreshadow the spiritual conquest achieved by Christ, the greater Joshua. Just as Joshua led Israel into their promised earthly inheritance, Jesus leads His people into a spiritual and eternal inheritance, a kingdom not of this world (John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World). The decisive defeat of the kings of Jericho and Ai, symbolizing formidable enemies and seemingly insurmountable obstacles, points to Christ's ultimate and decisive victory over the true spiritual enemies: sin, death, and the devil (Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities). He is the true King who has conquered all opposing powers, disarming them and leading captivity captive through His triumph on the cross (Ephesians 4:8 - Christ Leads Captivity Captive). Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has secured the ultimate "Promised Land"—eternal life and fellowship with God—for all who believe, providing an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading (1 Peter 1:3-4 - An Imperishable Inheritance). The meticulous list of defeated kings in Joshua finds its glorious culmination in the singular, comprehensive victory of the Lamb of God, who triumphs over all the "kings" of this fallen world to establish His eternal kingdom.