Joshua 12:9

KJV

The king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai, which [is] beside Bethel, one;

KJV (with Strong's)

The king {H4428} of Jericho {H3405}, one {H259}; the king {H4428} of Ai {H5857}, which is beside {H6654} Bethel {H1008}, one {H259};

Complete Jewish Bible

the king of Yericho, the king of 'Ai, by Beit-El,

Berean Standard Bible

the king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai, which is near Bethel, one;

American Standard Version

the king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai, which is beside Beth-el, one;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 12:9 is a succinct entry within a comprehensive catalog (Joshua 12:7-24) detailing the thirty-one kings and their respective city-states that the Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, decisively defeated in the conquest of Canaan. This particular verse highlights two foundational victories from the initial stages of the central campaign: the king of Jericho and the king of Ai, signifying the early fulfillment of God's covenant promises and the demonstration of His sovereign power in establishing Israel in the Promised Land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 12 serves as a grand summary and triumphant conclusion to the first major section of the Book of Joshua, which narrates the conquest of Canaan (chapters 1-12). Following the detailed accounts of specific battles and campaigns, this chapter provides a comprehensive list of all the kings defeated by Israel, first east of the Jordan under Moses (Joshua 12:1-6), and then west of the Jordan under Joshua (Joshua 12:7-24). Verse 9, specifically mentioning Jericho and Ai, functions as a concise summary of the initial, pivotal victories in the central campaign, which are extensively described in [Joshua 6](/joshua/6 "Joshua 6 - The Fall of Jericho") and [Joshua 8](/joshua/8 "Joshua 8 - The Capture of Ai"). This enumeration underscores the totality and divine orchestration of the conquest, solidifying the historical record and validating Israel's claim to the land.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient Near East was characterized by a landscape of numerous independent city-states, each typically governed by a "king" who held authority over the city and its immediate surrounding territory. Jericho, situated in the Jordan Valley, was strategically important due to its location controlling access into central Canaan, while Ai, located further west in the central highlands, was near the significant site of Bethel. The conquest of these fortified cities represented not merely military victories but the dismantling of the existing political and religious structures of the Canaanites, who practiced idolatry and abhorrent rituals. The Israelite conquest was understood as a divinely mandated act of judgment against the inhabitants of the land, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham and clearing the way for Israel to establish a holy nation in the land God had prepared for them, as outlined in [Deuteronomy 7](/deuteronomy/7 "Deuteronomy 7 - God's Command to Destroy the Canaanites").
* **Key Themes:** Joshua 12:9, as part of this victory catalog, powerfully reinforces several overarching themes of the Book of Joshua and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost among these is **Divine Faithfulness**, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises made to Abraham regarding the land (e.g., [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land to Abraham")). The enumeration of defeated kings also highlights **God's Sovereignty in Conquest**, emphasizing that the victories were not merely human military achievements but divinely orchestrated campaigns, where God fought for Israel (e.g., [Joshua 10:42](/joshua/10-42 "Joshua 10:42 - The Lord Fought for Israel")). Furthermore, the successful conquest of these formidable strongholds serves as a tangible **Fulfillment of Prophecy**, proving that God's word does not return void (e.g., [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Will Accomplish Its Purpose")), and that His plans for His people cannot be thwarted.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **King (Hebrew, _melekh'_):** In the ancient Near East, a "king" of a city-state was not necessarily a ruler of a vast empire but rather the sovereign authority over a specific city and its immediate environs. The repeated mention of "king" in this list emphasizes the complete subjugation of each independent entity and its ruler, signifying the total transfer of authority and ownership of the land from the Canaanite powers to Israel under God's dominion. Each "king" represented a distinct, formidable obstacle that God, through Israel, had overcome.
* **One (Hebrew, _’eḥāḏ'_):** This simple numerical designation, repeated for each king in the list, serves a crucial function. It signifies the distinctness and completeness of each victory. It implies "one king, one victory, one conquered entity." It underscores that each city-state, despite its individual strength or strategic importance, was individually and decisively defeated, contributing to the overall, divinely accomplished conquest of the land. It also subtly highlights the unity of purpose and action under God's command.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The king of Jericho, one;":** This phrase concisely records the first major victory of the central campaign. Jericho was the initial fortified city encountered by Israel after crossing the Jordan, and its miraculous fall (as detailed in [Joshua 6](/joshua/6 "Joshua 6 - The Fall of Jericho")) served as a powerful demonstration of God's direct intervention and overwhelming power on behalf of His people. The "one" here confirms the complete and singular defeat of this significant stronghold and its ruler.
* **"the king of Ai, which [is] beside Bethel, one;":** This clause lists the second crucial victory in the central highlands. While the conquest of Ai was initially met with defeat due to Achan's sin, God ultimately granted Israel victory through strategic battle after their repentance (recorded in [Joshua 8](/joshua/8 "Joshua 8 - The Capture of Ai")). The geographical marker "beside Bethel" is significant, as Bethel was a highly important biblical site, associated with Jacob's dream and God's covenant promises (e.g., [Genesis 28:19](/genesis/28-19 "Genesis 28:19 - Jacob Names Bethel")). The "one" again signifies the complete and distinct subjugation of Ai and its king, further cementing Israel's control over the central region.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 12:9, as part of a larger catalog, employs several literary devices to achieve its effect. The most prominent is **Enumeration**, as the entire chapter is a detailed list of defeated kings, providing a comprehensive and undeniable record of the conquest. Within this enumeration, **Repetition** of the word "one" after each king serves to emphasize the distinct and complete 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 insurmountable obstacles, while Ai represents the need for obedience and repentance even in the midst of divine favor.

### 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 theological truth that God is a covenant-keeping God who fulfills His promises, even when the obstacles seem insurmountable. The systematic dismantling of Canaanite strongholds, beginning with key cities like Jericho and Ai, demonstrates God's sovereign judgment against the wickedness of the land and His active role in establishing His people. This historical record serves not merely as a chronicle of past events but as an enduring declaration of God's power to deliver, to judge, and to provide an inheritance for His chosen people, laying the groundwork for understanding His ongoing work in salvation history.

* [Numbers 33:53](/numbers/33-53 "Numbers 33:53 - Possess the Land")
* [Deuteronomy 9:4-5](/deuteronomy/9-4-5 "Deuteronomy 9:4-5 - Not Because of Your Righteousness")
* [Psalm 44:3](/psalm/44-3 "Psalm 44:3 - Not by Their Own Sword")

### 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 faithfulness to His promises in our lives. The fall of Jericho reminds us that no obstacle is too great for God, and that seemingly impossible situations can be overcome by His miraculous power when we obey His commands. The initial setback at Ai, followed by victory, teaches us the vital importance of obedience, repentance, and seeking God's guidance even after failure. Our spiritual battles, though different from physical conquest, require the same reliance on God's strength, not our own. This verse calls us to remember God's past faithfulness, to cultivate a deep trust in His present power, and to courageously face our own "giants" and "fortified cities," knowing that our ultimate victory comes through Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the detailed list of conquered kings in Joshua 12, including Jericho and Ai, reinforce your understanding of God's faithfulness to His promises?**
* **In what areas of your life do you face "fortified cities" or seemingly insurmountable obstacles? How can the lessons from Jericho and Ai encourage you to trust God's power and strategy?**
* **What is the significance of "one" being repeated after each king in this list, and how does that apply to the completeness of God's work in your life?**

### 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](/joshua/12 "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, validating the extent of Israel's territorial gains and solidifying their claim to the Promised Land. This was essential for future generations to understand 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 fulfilled His covenant promises to give the land to Israel (e.g., [Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "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.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Joshua 12:9 details a physical conquest, its ultimate theological fulfillment is profoundly realized in Jesus Christ. The physical battles fought by Joshua against the kings of Canaan foreshadow the spiritual conquest achieved by Christ, the greater Joshua. Just as Joshua led Israel into their promised inheritance, Jesus leads His people into a spiritual inheritance, a kingdom not of this world (cf. [John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")). The defeat of the kings of Jericho and Ai, symbolizing formidable enemies and obstacles, points to Christ's decisive victory over the ultimate spiritual enemies: sin, death, and the devil (cf. [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "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 (cf. [Ephesians 4:8](/ephesians/4-8 "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 (cf. [1 Peter 1:3-4](/1_peter/1-3-4 "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.

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

Joshua 8:29

And the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until eventide: and as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they should take his carcase down from the tree, and cast it at the entering of the gate of the city, and raise thereon a great heap of stones, [that remaineth] unto this day.

Joshua 8:35

There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them.

Joshua 6:2

And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, [and] the mighty men of valour.

Joshua 6:21

And they utterly destroyed all that [was] in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword.

Joshua 8:17

And there was not a man left in Ai or Bethel, that went not out after Israel: and they left the city open, and pursued after Israel.

Joshua 8:1

¶ And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land: