Joshua 9:10

KJV

And all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites, that [were] beyond Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, which [was] at Ashtaroth.

KJV (with Strong's)

And all that he did {H6213} to the two {H8147} kings {H4428} of the Amorites {H567}, that were beyond {H5676} Jordan {H3383}, to Sihon {H5511} king {H4428} of Heshbon {H2809}, and to Og {H5747} king {H4428} of Bashan {H1316}, which was at Ashtaroth {H6252}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and everything he did to the two kings of the Emori across the Yarden, Sichon king of Heshbon and 'Og king of Bashan at 'Ashtarot.

Berean Standard Bible

and all that He did to the two kings of the Amorites beyond the Jordan—Sihon king of Heshbon and Og king of Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth.

American Standard Version

and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites, that were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, who was at Ashtaroth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 9:10 forms a pivotal element in the Gibeonites' elaborate deception, as they strategically recount Israel's renowned victories over Sihon, king of Heshbon, and Og, king of Bashan. These formidable Amorite kings, whose territories lay "beyond Jordan" (east of the river), were defeated by Israel under Moses' leadership, and the Gibeonites cited these well-known conquests to bolster their fabricated story of originating from a distant land. This cunning maneuver aimed to convince Joshua and the Israelite leaders to form a peace treaty, thereby sparing themselves from the commanded destruction of Canaanite inhabitants. The verse thus highlights the widespread reputation of God's power working through Israel, which paradoxically became the very foundation for a ruse that ensnared the Israelites in an ill-advised covenant.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 9:10 is intricately woven into the narrative of the Gibeonites' cunning ruse, immediately following Israel's decisive victories at Jericho and Ai. The preceding verses [Joshua 9:1-2](/joshua/9-1-2 "Joshua 9:1-2 - The Kings of Canaan React to Israel's Victories") detail the fear that gripped the inhabitants of Canaan upon hearing of Israel's conquests, prompting the Gibeonites to devise an elaborate plan to secure a peace treaty with Israel [Joshua 9:3-5](/joshua/9-3-5 "Joshua 9:3-5 - The Gibeonites' Deception"). Their strategy involved presenting themselves as envoys from a "very far country" [Joshua 9:6](/joshua/9-6 "Joshua 9:6 - The Gibeonites Approach Joshua"), using worn-out provisions and clothing as evidence of their long journey. Verse 10 serves as a crucial piece of their fabricated narrative, where they recount Israel's past, undeniable victories over Sihon and Og as proof of their knowledge of Israel's God and their supposed distant origin. This elaborate deception culminates in Israel's failure to inquire of the Lord [Joshua 9:14](/joshua/9-14 "Joshua 9:14 - Israel's Failure to Inquire of the Lord"), leading to a binding covenant that later became a source of significant trouble and a test of Israel's faithfulness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period described in Joshua is the initial phase of Israel's conquest of Canaan, following their forty years in the wilderness and the Exodus from Egypt. The Amorites were a powerful and widespread Semitic people group, frequently depicted as formidable adversaries inhabiting significant portions of Canaan and the Transjordan region. The victories over Sihon, king of Heshbon, and Og, king of Bashan, were not recent events but had occurred under Moses' leadership before Israel crossed the Jordan River, as recounted in detail in [Numbers 21:21-35](/numbers/21-21-35 "Numbers 21:21-35 - Israel's Conquest of Sihon and Og") and [Deuteronomy 3:1-11](/deuteronomy/3-1-11 "Deuteronomy 3:1-11 - Moses' Account of Og's Defeat"). These conquests were foundational, establishing Israel's presence and reputation in the region and demonstrating the power of their God. In the ancient Near East, treaties were solemn agreements, often involving oaths and divine witnesses, and violating them carried severe consequences. The Gibeonites' fear was deeply rooted in the widespread knowledge of Israel's God and their track record of total annihilation against those who resisted His commands.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several key themes within the book of Joshua and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it underscores **God's Demonstrable Power and Reputation**, showing how the news of His mighty acts (specifically the defeat of formidable kings like Sihon and Og) had spread throughout the land, instilling fear in the surrounding nations (compare [Exodus 15:14-16](/exodus/15-14-16 "Exodus 15:14-16 - The Nations Tremble")). Secondly, it highlights the **Danger of Deception and Lack of Discernment**. The Gibeonites' fear-driven ruse, while strategically brilliant, relied on a falsehood, and Israel's failure to consult the Lord before acting (as explicitly stated in [Joshua 9:14](/joshua/9-14 "Joshua 9:14 - Israel's Failure to Inquire of the Lord")) led them into a covenant they were not meant to make. Thirdly, it reinforces the theme of **Divine Command and Covenant Fidelity**. God had commanded Israel to utterly destroy the inhabitants of Canaan, and the Gibeonite deception challenged this command, revealing the complexities of obedience and the critical need for constant reliance on divine guidance in fulfilling God's will for the land.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **did (Hebrew, _ʻâsâh'_):** From H6213. This primitive root signifies "to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application." In Joshua 9:10, it refers to the mighty acts of God, working through Moses and Israel, in defeating the Amorite kings. The Gibeonites' use of this word acknowledges the powerful, decisive actions that established Israel's reputation and instilled fear in the surrounding nations. It emphasizes the completed, impactful nature of these past victories.
* **kings (Hebrew, _melek'_):** From H4428. This word denotes "a king" or "royal." The mention of "two kings of the Amorites" highlights the formidable nature of the adversaries Israel had overcome. Kings in the ancient Near East wielded significant power, controlling armies and territories. By specifying that these were kings, the Gibeonites underscored the magnitude of Israel's divine-backed military successes, making their account of Israel's widespread fame more credible.
* **Amorites (Hebrew, _ʼĔmôrîy'_):):** From H567. This term identifies a prominent Canaanitish tribe, often associated with mountainous regions and formidable strength. In biblical narratives, the Amorites frequently represent powerful, entrenched enemies of Israel. Their defeat, particularly that of two of their kings, was a testament to God's power and Israel's divinely-assisted conquest, serving as a key piece of evidence for the Gibeonites' fabricated story of Israel's far-reaching reputation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites,"**: This opening phrase refers to the mighty acts of Yahweh, working through Moses and the Israelite army. The Gibeonites implicitly acknowledge the divine hand behind Israel's military success, recognizing that "he" (God, or God's instrument Moses) was the one who accomplished these great feats. The "two kings of the Amorites" immediately identifies Sihon and Og, highlighting their status as powerful rulers of a formidable people group, thereby emphasizing the magnitude of Israel's victories.
* **"that [were] beyond Jordan,"**: This clause specifies the geographical location of these significant victories. The Transjordan region, east of the Jordan River, was the first major territory conquered by Israel under Moses, prior to their entry into Canaan proper. By mentioning this geographical detail, the Gibeonites strategically emphasize the early and widely known nature of these conquests, suggesting that news of such events would have traveled far and wide, reaching even a supposedly distant land.
* **"to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan,"**: These are the specific names of the two renowned Amorite kings who were decisively defeated by Israel. Sihon ruled from Heshbon, a strategic city, and Og ruled Bashan, a fertile region known for its strong fortifications and the immense stature of its king [Deuteronomy 3:11](/deuteronomy/3-11 "Deuteronomy 3:11 - Og's Iron Bedstead"). Their names would have been synonymous with overwhelming power and subsequent defeat, serving as undeniable proof of Israel's military might and God's intervention, making the Gibeonites' account highly convincing.
* **"which [was] at Ashtaroth."**: This final detail specifies the capital city of Og's kingdom, Bashan. Ashtaroth was an important city, likely associated with the worship of the goddess Ashtoreth. Including this specific geographical and cultural detail further grounds the Gibeonites' story in verifiable historical facts, making their account more convincing and demonstrating their supposed intimate knowledge of Israel's past campaigns, thus lending credibility to their claim of having traveled from a far-off land.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 9:10 masterfully employs **Allusion** and **Irony**. The Gibeonites' speech is a deliberate **Allusion** to well-known historical events—Israel's victories over Sihon and Og—which were foundational to Israel's identity and reputation as a divinely-empowered nation. This serves to establish credibility for their fabricated story, as they are referencing undeniable truths. The profound **Irony** lies in the fact that the Gibeonites use these very truths about God's power and Israel's fearsome reputation to perpetrate a deception. They leverage God's glory and Israel's past successes as the very tools to manipulate God's people into a forbidden covenant. This highlights the deceptive nature of appearances and the danger of relying solely on external evidence without seeking divine counsel. There is also a subtle element of **Foreshadowing**, as Israel's failure of discernment here prefigures later instances in their history where they would be led astray by external appearances or fail to consult God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 9:10 powerfully illustrates how God's mighty acts reverberate through the world, shaping the perceptions and actions of nations. The Gibeonites' fear, though leading to deception, was a direct consequence of God's demonstrable power on behalf of Israel. This verse underscores the theological truth that God's reputation precedes His people, and His faithfulness in fulfilling His promises (like giving Israel the land) has tangible, far-reaching effects. It also serves as a poignant reminder of the human tendency to manipulate truth for self-preservation and the critical importance of divine discernment, as Israel's failure to inquire of the Lord before making a covenant with the Gibeonites had lasting consequences. The narrative highlights that even genuine testimonies of God's power can be twisted or used for unholy purposes if spiritual vigilance is absent, emphasizing the need for constant reliance on divine wisdom.

* [Numbers 21:21-35](/numbers/21-21-35 "Numbers 21:21-35 - Israel's Conquest of Sihon and Og")
* [Deuteronomy 2:26-3:11](/deuteronomy/2-26-3-11 "Deuteronomy 2:26-3:11 - Moses Recounts the Defeat of Sihon and Og")
* [Exodus 15:14-16](/exodus/15-14-16 "Exodus 15:14-16 - The Nations Tremble at God's Power")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 9:10 invites us to reflect on the profound impact of God's work, both in history and in our personal lives. Just as the Gibeonites were aware of God's mighty acts through Israel, so too does the world observe the actions and character of God's people today. Our lives, individually and corporately, serve as a testimony to God's power, faithfulness, and presence. This verse challenges us to consider whether our lives genuinely reflect the God we serve, inspiring awe and drawing others to Him, or whether our actions might be perceived as manipulative or lacking integrity. Furthermore, it serves as a powerful warning against making critical decisions without seeking God's counsel. The Israelites' haste and reliance on outward appearances, rather than divine guidance, led them into a binding covenant with deceptive people. In our own lives, when faced with choices, especially those with long-term implications, we must prioritize prayer, scriptural wisdom, and the leading of the Holy Spirit over superficial evidence or human reasoning alone, ensuring our decisions are rooted in divine truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the reputation of God's power, as seen in Joshua 9:10, influence your own faith and witness today?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be tempted to rely on outward appearances or human reasoning instead of seeking God's specific guidance, as Israel did?**
* **How can you ensure that your actions and words consistently reflect the integrity and truth of God, rather than inadvertently being used for deceptive purposes?**
* **What past acts of God's faithfulness in your life can you recount as a testimony to His character and power, inspiring both yourself and others?**

### FAQ
**Who were Sihon and Og, and why were their defeats so significant?**

Answer: Sihon was the Amorite king of Heshbon, and Og was the Amorite king of Bashan, whose capital was Ashtaroth. Their defeats were incredibly significant because they represented Israel's first major conquests of established kingdoms in the Transjordan region, east of the Jordan River. These victories, achieved under Moses' leadership (recounted in [Numbers 21](/numbers/21 "Numbers 21 - Israel's Journey and Conquests") and [Deuteronomy 3](/deuteronomy/3 "Deuteronomy 3 - Moses' Account of the Conquest of Bashan")), demonstrated God's power to subdue formidable enemies and fulfilled His promise to give Israel the land. They established Israel's military prowess and God's active presence, spreading fear and awe among the surrounding nations and setting a precedent for the subsequent conquest of Canaan.

**Why did the Gibeonites specifically mention these two kings in their deception?**

Answer: The Gibeonites specifically mentioned Sihon and Og because their defeats were widely known, undeniable historical facts that had occurred *before* Israel crossed into Canaan proper. By citing these well-known, foundational victories, the Gibeonites aimed to establish their credibility and demonstrate their supposed knowledge of Israel's distant past. Their mention of territories "beyond Jordan" reinforced their claim of having traveled from a very far country, as these were the first major conquests Israel made, implying that news of them would have had ample time to reach distant lands. This strategic use of truth within a lie made their deception highly convincing to the Israelite leaders.

**What does "beyond Jordan" mean in this context?**

Answer: In this context, "beyond Jordan" (Hebrew: _bəʿēver hayyardēn_) refers to the Transjordan region, the territory situated to the east of the Jordan River. For the Israelites, who were preparing to enter Canaan from the east, this was the land they had already conquered under Moses. The Gibeonites, who lived west of the Jordan, used this geographical marker to imply that they had come from a land even further away than the region Israel had already subdued, thereby supporting their narrative of being from a "very far country" and not one of the local Canaanite peoples whom Israel was commanded to destroy. It served as a key piece of their fabricated backstory.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Joshua 9:10, with its themes of God's conquering power, the widespread reputation of His mighty acts, and the human response of fear or deception, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The victories over Sihon and Og, formidable kings, foreshadow the ultimate conquest achieved by Jesus Christ, not over earthly kingdoms, but over the spiritual powers of sin, death, and the devil (compare [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Powers")). Just as the fame of Israel's God spread throughout the land, so too has the fame of Jesus, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), spread throughout the earth, inspiring both awe and, at times, opposition. The Gibeonites' fear-driven deception highlights humanity's desperate attempts to secure peace or salvation through self-effort and cunning, rather than through genuine surrender to God's terms. In stark contrast, Christ offers true and lasting peace, not through a deceptive treaty, but through a new covenant sealed by His own blood, inviting all who are "far off" to be brought near by His sacrifice and reconciled to God [Ephesians 2:13-16](/ephesians/2-13-16 "Ephesians 2:13-16 - Christ Our Peace"). He is the one who perfectly discerns all hearts and motives, unlike Israel who failed to inquire of the Lord, ensuring that His kingdom is built on truth, grace, and perfect righteousness, not on human manipulation or fear.

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

Deuteronomy 2:30

But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him: for the LORD thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into thy hand, as [appeareth] this day.

Deuteronomy 3:7

But all the cattle, and the spoil of the cities, we took for a prey to ourselves.

Numbers 21:24

And Israel smote him with the edge of the sword, and possessed his land from Arnon unto Jabbok, even unto the children of Ammon: for the border of the children of Ammon [was] strong.

Numbers 21:35

So they smote him, and his sons, and all his people, until there was none left him alive: and they possessed his land.

Joshua 12:4

And the coast of Og king of Bashan, [which was] of the remnant of the giants, that dwelt at Ashtaroth and at Edrei,

Deuteronomy 1:4

After he had slain Sihon the king of the Amorites, which dwelt in Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, which dwelt at Astaroth in Edrei:

1 Chronicles 6:71

Unto the sons of Gershom [were given] out of the family of the half tribe of Manasseh, Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, and Ashtaroth with her suburbs: