About Joshua

Joshua records the conquest and division of the Promised Land, demonstrating God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Abraham.

Author: JoshuaWritten: c. 1400-1370 BCReading time: ~3 minVerses: 24
ConquestFaithfulnessObedienceInheritanceLeadershipCovenant

King James Version

Joshua 12

24 verses with commentary

Kings Defeated by Moses

Now these are the kings of the land, which the children of Israel smote, and possessed their land on the other side Jordan toward the rising of the sun, from the river Arnon unto mount Hermon, and all the plain on the east:

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KJV Study Commentary

This verse introduces a comprehensive catalog of conquered kings, documenting Israel's victories under Moses (east of Jordan) and Joshua (west of Jordan). The phrase 'kings of the land which the children of Israel smote' emphasizes human agency working in concert with divine power—God gave victory, but Israel fought the battles. The geographical description 'on the other side Jordan toward the ris...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission. Bible Hub

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**20-24. those twelve stones, which they took out of Jordan, did Joshua pitch in Gilgal--**Probably to render them more conspicuous, they might be raised on a foundation of earth or turf. The pile was designed to serve a double purpose--that of impressing the heathen with a sense of the omnipotence of God, while at the same time it would teach an important lesson in religion to the young and risin...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 12 Chapter Outline The two kings conquered by Moses.(1-6) The kings whom Joshua smote.(7-24) **Verses 1-6** Fresh mercies must not drown the remembrance of former mercies, nor must the glory of the present instruments of good to the church diminish the just honour of those who went before them, since God is the same who wrought by both. Moses gave to one part of Israel a ...
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Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt in Heshbon, and ruled from Aroer, which is upon the bank of the river Arnon, and from the middle of the river, and from half Gilead, even unto the river Jabbok, which is the border of the children of Ammon;

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KJV Study Commentary

Recounting conquered territories: 'Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt in Heshbon, and ruled from Aroer, which is upon the bank of the river Arnon, and from the middle of the river, and from half Gilead, even unto the river Jabbok, which is the border of the children of Ammon.' This detailed geographic catalog establishes the extent of Transjordan conquests. The specificity—Aroer, Arnon, Gilead,...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**20-24. those twelve stones, which they took out of Jordan, did Joshua pitch in Gilgal--**Probably to render them more conspicuous, they might be raised on a foundation of earth or turf. The pile was designed to serve a double purpose--that of impressing the heathen with a sense of the omnipotence of God, while at the same time it would teach an important lesson in religion to the young and risin...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 12 Chapter Outline The two kings conquered by Moses.(1-6) The kings whom Joshua smote.(7-24) **Verses 1-6** Fresh mercies must not drown the remembrance of former mercies, nor must the glory of the present instruments of good to the church diminish the just honour of those who went before them, since God is the same who wrought by both. Moses gave to one part of Israel a ...
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And from the plain to the sea of Chinneroth on the east, and unto the sea of the plain, even the salt sea on the east, the way to Bethjeshimoth; and from the south, under Ashdothpisgah : the south: or, Teman Ashdothpisgah: or, the springs of Pisgah, or, the hill

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KJV Study Commentary

Continuing the catalog: 'And from the plain to the sea of Chinneroth on the east, and unto the sea of the plain, even the salt sea on the east, the way to Beth-jeshimoth; and from the south, under Ashdoth-pisgah.' The geographic sweep—from Chinneroth (Sea of Galilee) to the Salt Sea (Dead Sea)—encompasses Israel's Transjordan holdings. The phrase 'sea of the plain' (Dead Sea) uses its Hebrew name ...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**20-24. those twelve stones, which they took out of Jordan, did Joshua pitch in Gilgal--**Probably to render them more conspicuous, they might be raised on a foundation of earth or turf. The pile was designed to serve a double purpose--that of impressing the heathen with a sense of the omnipotence of God, while at the same time it would teach an important lesson in religion to the young and risin...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 12 Chapter Outline The two kings conquered by Moses.(1-6) The kings whom Joshua smote.(7-24) **Verses 1-6** Fresh mercies must not drown the remembrance of former mercies, nor must the glory of the present instruments of good to the church diminish the just honour of those who went before them, since God is the same who wrought by both. Moses gave to one part of Israel a ...
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And the coast of Og king of Bashan, which was of the remnant of the giants, that dwelt at Ashtaroth and at Edrei,

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KJV Study Commentary

The second Transjordan king: 'And the coast of Og king of Bashan, which was of the remnant of the giants, that dwelt at Ashtaroth and at Edrei.' Og's identification as 'remnant of the giants' (<em>yeter harefaim</em>, יֶתֶר הָרְפָאִים) connects him to the Rephaim, ancient people known for extraordinary size. Deuteronomy 3:11 notes Og's iron bedstead was nine cubits long (over thirteen feet), confi...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 12 Chapter Outline The two kings conquered by Moses.(1-6) The kings whom Joshua smote.(7-24) **Verses 1-6** Fresh mercies must not drown the remembrance of former mercies, nor must the glory of the present instruments of good to the church diminish the just honour of those who went before them, since God is the same who wrought by both. Moses gave to one part of Israel a ...
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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.

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KJV Study Commentary

Og's extensive territory: 'And reigned in mount Hermon, and in Salcah, and in all Bashan, unto the border of the Geshur ites and the Maachathites, and half Gilead, the border of Sihon king of Heshbon.' The geographic catalog spans from Mount Hermon (far north) to the border with Sihon's kingdom (south), encompassing all of Bashan. Salcah marked the eastern extent. The mention of Geshurites and Maa...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

CHAPTER 5 Jos 5:1. The Canaanites Afraid. **1. the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea--**Under the former designation were included the people who inhabited the mountainous region, and under the latter those who were on the seacoast of Palestine. **heard that the Lord had dried up the waters of Jordan ... ...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 12 Chapter Outline The two kings conquered by Moses.(1-6) The kings whom Joshua smote.(7-24) **Verses 1-6** Fresh mercies must not drown the remembrance of former mercies, nor must the glory of the present instruments of good to the church diminish the just honour of those who went before them, since God is the same who wrought by both. Moses gave to one part of Israel a ...
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Them did Moses the servant of the LORD and the children of Israel smite: and Moses the servant of the LORD gave it for a possession unto the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Them did Moses the servant of the LORD and the children of Israel smite: and Moses the servant of the LORD gave it for a possession unto the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh.</strong><br><br>This recapitulation of the Transjordan conquest (Numbers 21; Deuteronomy 2-3) serves multiple purposes. First, it acknowledges Moses' foundational role—twice calling him "the...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Jos 5:2-12. Circumcision Is Renewed. **2. At that time--**on the encampment being made after the passage. **the Lord said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives--**Stone knives, collect and make them ready. Flints have been used in the early times of all people; and although the use of iron was known to the Hebrews in the days of Joshua, probably the want of a sufficient number of metallic impleme...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 12 Chapter Outline The two kings conquered by Moses.(1-6) The kings whom Joshua smote.(7-24) **Verses 1-6** Fresh mercies must not drown the remembrance of former mercies, nor must the glory of the present instruments of good to the church diminish the just honour of those who went before them, since God is the same who wrought by both. Moses gave to one part of Israel a ...
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Kings Defeated by Joshua

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;

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And these are the kings of the country which Joshua and the children of Israel smote on this side Jordan on the west</strong>—This heading introduces the catalog of western conquests, distinct from the Transjordan victories (12:1-6). The Hebrew <em>melek</em> (מֶלֶךְ, 'king') appears 31 times in this chapter, emphasizing that Israel defeated not mere tribes but organized city-states with c...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**3. at the hill--**probably one of the argillaceous hills that form the highest terrace of the Jordan, on a rising ground at the palm forest.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 7-24** We have here the limits of the country Joshua conquered. A list is given of the kings subdued by Israel: thirty-one in all. This shows how fruitful Canaan then was, in which so many chose to throng together. This was the land God appointed for Israel; yet in our day it is one of the most barren and unprofitable countries in the world. Such is the effect of the curse it lies und...
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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:

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>In the mountains, and in the valleys, and in the plains, and in the springs, and in the wilderness, and in the south country</strong>—This comprehensive geographic catalog uses six Hebrew terms for terrain types, emphasizing total conquest across every ecological zone. The <em>har</em> (הַר, 'mountains'), <em>shephelah</em> (שְׁפֵלָה, 'lowlands'), <em>arabah</em> (עֲרָבָה, 'plains'), <em>a...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**4-7. this is the cause why Joshua did circumcise--**The omission to circumcise the children born in the wilderness might have been owing to the incessant movements of the people; but it is most generally thought that the true cause was a temporary suspension of the covenant with the unbelieving race who, being rejected of the Lord, were doomed to perish in the wilderness, and whose children had ...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 7-24** We have here the limits of the country Joshua conquered. A list is given of the kings subdued by Israel: thirty-one in all. This shows how fruitful Canaan then was, in which so many chose to throng together. This was the land God appointed for Israel; yet in our day it is one of the most barren and unprofitable countries in the world. Such is the effect of the curse it lies und...
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The king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai, which is beside Bethel, one;

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>The king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai, which is beside Beth-el, one</strong>—The catalog begins with Israel's first two conquests, emphasizing chronological and theological priority. Jericho fell by miraculous intervention (Joshua 6), demonstrating that YHWH fights for Israel. Ai (<em>ha-Ai</em>, הָעַי, 'the ruin') initially defeated Israel due to Achan's sin (Joshua 7), then fell after...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**4-7. this is the cause why Joshua did circumcise--**The omission to circumcise the children born in the wilderness might have been owing to the incessant movements of the people; but it is most generally thought that the true cause was a temporary suspension of the covenant with the unbelieving race who, being rejected of the Lord, were doomed to perish in the wilderness, and whose children had ...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 7-24** We have here the limits of the country Joshua conquered. A list is given of the kings subdued by Israel: thirty-one in all. This shows how fruitful Canaan then was, in which so many chose to throng together. This was the land God appointed for Israel; yet in our day it is one of the most barren and unprofitable countries in the world. Such is the effect of the curse it lies und...
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The king of Jerusalem, one; the king of Hebron, one;

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>The king of Jerusalem, one; the king of Hebron, one</strong>—Jerusalem (<em>Yerushalayim</em>, יְרוּשָׁלַיִם) appears here as a defeated enemy, yet Judges 1:8, 21 reveals incomplete conquest—the Jebusites remained until David (2 Samuel 5:6-9). This partial fulfillment foreshadows Christ's kingdom: inaugurated but not yet consummated. Hebron (<em>Chevron</em>, חֶבְרוֹן, from <em>chaver</em>...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**4-7. this is the cause why Joshua did circumcise--**The omission to circumcise the children born in the wilderness might have been owing to the incessant movements of the people; but it is most generally thought that the true cause was a temporary suspension of the covenant with the unbelieving race who, being rejected of the Lord, were doomed to perish in the wilderness, and whose children had ...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 7-24** We have here the limits of the country Joshua conquered. A list is given of the kings subdued by Israel: thirty-one in all. This shows how fruitful Canaan then was, in which so many chose to throng together. This was the land God appointed for Israel; yet in our day it is one of the most barren and unprofitable countries in the world. Such is the effect of the curse it lies und...
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The king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one;

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>The king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one</strong>—Both cities joined the southern coalition that attacked Gibeon, prompting Joshua's all-night march and the famous sun-standing-still miracle (Joshua 10:3-14). Jarmuth (<em>Yarmut</em>, יַרְמוּת) was a fortified Amorite city in the Shephelah lowlands. Lachish (<em>Lakhish</em>, לָכִישׁ) was Canaan's second most important city after...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**4-7. this is the cause why Joshua did circumcise--**The omission to circumcise the children born in the wilderness might have been owing to the incessant movements of the people; but it is most generally thought that the true cause was a temporary suspension of the covenant with the unbelieving race who, being rejected of the Lord, were doomed to perish in the wilderness, and whose children had ...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 7-24** We have here the limits of the country Joshua conquered. A list is given of the kings subdued by Israel: thirty-one in all. This shows how fruitful Canaan then was, in which so many chose to throng together. This was the land God appointed for Israel; yet in our day it is one of the most barren and unprofitable countries in the world. Such is the effect of the curse it lies und...
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The king of Eglon, one; the king of Gezer, one;

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>The king of Eglon, one; the king of Gezer, one</strong>—Eglon (<em>Eglon</em>, עֶגְלוֹן, possibly 'calf-like') was another member of the five-king southern coalition. Its capture demonstrated YHWH's superiority over Canaanite defensive alliances. Gezer (<em>Gezer</em>, גֶּזֶר, 'portion/steep place') occupied a strategic position controlling the coastal road to Jerusalem—arguably the most i...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**8. when they had done circumcising all the people--**As the number of those born in the wilderness and uncircumcised must have been immense, a difficulty is apt to be felt how the rite could have been performed on such a multitude in so short a time. But it has been calculated that the proportion between those already circumcised (under twenty when the doom was pronounced) and those to be circum...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 7-24** We have here the limits of the country Joshua conquered. A list is given of the kings subdued by Israel: thirty-one in all. This shows how fruitful Canaan then was, in which so many chose to throng together. This was the land God appointed for Israel; yet in our day it is one of the most barren and unprofitable countries in the world. Such is the effect of the curse it lies und...
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The king of Debir, one; the king of Geder, one;

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>The king of Debir, one; the king of Geder, one</strong>—Debir (<em>Devir</em>, דְּבִר, possibly 'sanctuary/oracle') was formerly called Kiriath-sepher ('city of the book,' Joshua 15:15), suggesting it was a Canaanite religious or scribal center. Caleb later offered his daughter Achsah to whoever captured it; Othniel succeeded (Joshua 15:16-17; Judges 1:11-13). This demonstrates that even '...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**9. the Lord said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt--**The taunts industriously cast by that people upon Israel as nationally rejected by God by the cessation of circumcision and the renewal of that rite was a practical announcement of the restoration of the covenant [Keil]. **Gilgal--**No trace either of the name or site is now to be found; but it was about two mil...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 7-24** We have here the limits of the country Joshua conquered. A list is given of the kings subdued by Israel: thirty-one in all. This shows how fruitful Canaan then was, in which so many chose to throng together. This was the land God appointed for Israel; yet in our day it is one of the most barren and unprofitable countries in the world. Such is the effect of the curse it lies und...
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The king of Hormah, one; the king of Arad, one;

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>The king of Hormah, one; the king of Arad, one</strong>—Hormah (<em>Chormah</em>, חָרְמָה, from <em>cherem</em>, 'devoted to destruction') carries theological freight—it's where Israel first attempted unauthorized conquest and failed catastrophically (Numbers 14:45). The name means 'utter destruction/ban,' referring to <em>herem</em> warfare where everything is devoted to YHWH. Later conqu...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**10. kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even--**The time fixed by the law (see on Ex 12:17; Le 23:5; Nu 28:16). Thus the national existence was commenced by a solemn act of religious dedication.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 7-24** We have here the limits of the country Joshua conquered. A list is given of the kings subdued by Israel: thirty-one in all. This shows how fruitful Canaan then was, in which so many chose to throng together. This was the land God appointed for Israel; yet in our day it is one of the most barren and unprofitable countries in the world. Such is the effect of the curse it lies und...
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The king of Libnah, one; the king of Adullam, one;

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>The king of Libnah, one; the king of Adullam, one</strong>—Libnah (<em>Livnah</em>, לִבְנָה, 'whiteness/pavement') was a Levitical city (Joshua 21:13) that later rebelled against Judah's king Jehoram due to his idolatry (2 Kings 8:22). Even conquered and consecrated cities could fall away—illustrating that covenant relationship requires ongoing faithfulness, not merely past victory. The na...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**11-12. And they did eat of the old corn of the land--**found in storehouses of the inhabitants who had fled into Jericho. **parched corn--**new grain (see on Le 23:10), probably lying in the fields. Roasted--a simple and primitive preparation, much liked in the East. This abundance of food led to the discontinuance of the manna; and the fact of its then ceasing, viewed in connection with its s...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 7-24** We have here the limits of the country Joshua conquered. A list is given of the kings subdued by Israel: thirty-one in all. This shows how fruitful Canaan then was, in which so many chose to throng together. This was the land God appointed for Israel; yet in our day it is one of the most barren and unprofitable countries in the world. Such is the effect of the curse it lies und...
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The king of Makkedah, one; the king of Bethel, one;

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>The king of Makkedah, one; the king of Beth-el, one</strong>—Makkedah (מַקֵּדָה, maqedah, 'place of shepherds') was where five Amorite kings hid in caves before Joshua executed them (10:16-27), making this notation a memorial of divine judgment. Beth-el (בֵּית־אֵל, bet-el, 'house of God'), the ancient sanctuary where Jacob saw angels ascending and descending (Genesis 28:19), appears in thi...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**11-12. And they did eat of the old corn of the land--**found in storehouses of the inhabitants who had fled into Jericho. **parched corn--**new grain (see on Le 23:10), probably lying in the fields. Roasted--a simple and primitive preparation, much liked in the East. This abundance of food led to the discontinuance of the manna; and the fact of its then ceasing, viewed in connection with its s...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 7-24** We have here the limits of the country Joshua conquered. A list is given of the kings subdued by Israel: thirty-one in all. This shows how fruitful Canaan then was, in which so many chose to throng together. This was the land God appointed for Israel; yet in our day it is one of the most barren and unprofitable countries in the world. Such is the effect of the curse it lies und...
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The king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one;

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>The king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one</strong>—Tappuah (תַּפּוּחַ, tappuach, 'apple' or 'citadel') appears both as a border town (12:17, 15:34) and later as land allotted to Manasseh's daughters (17:8), demonstrating how conquest lists became inheritance documents. The name's dual meaning (fruit and fortress) captures Canaan's character—a land flowing with milk and honey (Exodu...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Jos 5:13-15. An Angel Appears to Joshua. **13. when Joshua was by Jericho--**in the immediate vicinity of that city, probably engaged in surveying the fortifications, and in meditating the best plan of a siege. **there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn--**It is evident from the strain of the context that this was not a mere vision, but an actual appearance; the suddenness of whi...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 7-24** We have here the limits of the country Joshua conquered. A list is given of the kings subdued by Israel: thirty-one in all. This shows how fruitful Canaan then was, in which so many chose to throng together. This was the land God appointed for Israel; yet in our day it is one of the most barren and unprofitable countries in the world. Such is the effect of the curse it lies und...
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The king of Aphek, one; the king of Lasharon, one; Lasharon: or, Sharon

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>The king of Aphek, one; the king of Lasharon, one</strong>—Aphek (אֲפֵק, apheq, 'fortress' or 'stronghold') appears multiple times in Scripture as a strategic military site. This Aphek in Sharon controlled the coastal route (Via Maris), making its capture essential for controlling north-south trade and military movements. The Philistines later assembled at an Aphek before defeating Saul (1...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**14. the host of the Lord--**either the Israelitish people (Ex 7:4; 12:41; Is 55:4), or the angels (Psa 148:2), or both included, and the Captain of it was the angel of the covenant, whose visible manifestations were varied according to the occasion. His attitude of equipment betokened his approval of, and interest in, the war of invasion. **Joshua fell on his face ..., and did worship--**The a...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 7-24** We have here the limits of the country Joshua conquered. A list is given of the kings subdued by Israel: thirty-one in all. This shows how fruitful Canaan then was, in which so many chose to throng together. This was the land God appointed for Israel; yet in our day it is one of the most barren and unprofitable countries in the world. Such is the effect of the curse it lies und...
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The king of Madon, one; the king of Hazor, one;

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>The king of Madon, one; the king of Hazor, one</strong>—Madon (מָדוֹן, madon, 'contention' or 'strife') was one of four northern kings who formed a coalition against Israel (11:1), but the name itself suggests their enterprise was characterized by discord. Hazor (חָצוֹר, chatzor, 'enclosed' or 'fortified') was the premier city-state of Canaan, described as 'the head of all those kingdoms' ...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 7-24** We have here the limits of the country Joshua conquered. A list is given of the kings subdued by Israel: thirty-one in all. This shows how fruitful Canaan then was, in which so many chose to throng together. This was the land God appointed for Israel; yet in our day it is one of the most barren and unprofitable countries in the world. Such is the effect of the curse it lies und...
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The king of Shimronmeron, one; the king of Achshaph, one;

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>The king of Shimron-meron, one; the king of Achshaph, one</strong>—Shimron-meron (שִׁמְרוֹן מְראוֹן, shimron-meron) combines two names: Shimron ('watch-height') and Meron ('high place'), possibly indicating a unified city-state or a dual settlement controlling the elevated terrain of upper Galilee. This king joined Jabin's northern coalition (11:1), contributing forces to the massive army ...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 7-24** We have here the limits of the country Joshua conquered. A list is given of the kings subdued by Israel: thirty-one in all. This shows how fruitful Canaan then was, in which so many chose to throng together. This was the land God appointed for Israel; yet in our day it is one of the most barren and unprofitable countries in the world. Such is the effect of the curse it lies und...
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The king of Taanach, one; the king of Megiddo, one;

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>The king of Taanach, one; the king of Megiddo, one</strong>—Taanach (תַּעֲנַךְ, ta'anach) and Megiddo (מְגִדּוֹ, megiddo, 'place of troops') were twin fortresses guarding the strategic Jezreel Valley and controlling access through the Carmel mountain range via the Megiddo pass. Possessing these cities meant controlling the primary east-west trade route connecting the coastal Via Maris with...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

CHAPTER 6 Jos 6:1-7. Jericho Shut Up. **1. Now Jericho was straitly shut up--**This verse is a parenthesis introduced to prepare the way for the directions given by the Captain of the Lord's host.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 7-24** We have here the limits of the country Joshua conquered. A list is given of the kings subdued by Israel: thirty-one in all. This shows how fruitful Canaan then was, in which so many chose to throng together. This was the land God appointed for Israel; yet in our day it is one of the most barren and unprofitable countries in the world. Such is the effect of the curse it lies und...
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The king of Kedesh, one; the king of Jokneam of Carmel, one;

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>The king of Kedesh, one; the king of Jokneam of Carmel, one</strong>—Kedesh (קֶדֶשׁ, qedesh, 'holy place' or 'sanctuary') later became one of six Levitical cities of refuge (20:7, 21:32), transforming from a defeated Canaanite stronghold into a sanctuary where manslayers could find asylum. This redemptive repurposing illustrates how God reclaims enemy territory for mercy's sake—the very si...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**2. See, I have given into thine hand Jericho--**The language intimates that a purpose already formed was about to be carried into immediate execution; and that, although the king and inhabitants of Jericho were fierce and experienced warriors, who would make a stout and determined resistance, the Lord promised a certain and easy victory over them.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 7-24** We have here the limits of the country Joshua conquered. A list is given of the kings subdued by Israel: thirty-one in all. This shows how fruitful Canaan then was, in which so many chose to throng together. This was the land God appointed for Israel; yet in our day it is one of the most barren and unprofitable countries in the world. Such is the effect of the curse it lies und...
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The king of Dor in the coast of Dor, one; the king of the nations of Gilgal, one;

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>The king of Dor in the coast of Dor, one; the king of the nations of Gilgal, one</strong>—Dor (דֹּאר, dor, 'dwelling') was a coastal city whose king joined the northern coalition despite being geographically distant from the battle site, illustrating the widespread fear Israel inspired (2:9-11). The phrase 'in the coast of Dor' (בְּנָפַת דֹּאר, benaphath-dor, literally 'in the height/regio...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**3-5. ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war. ... Thus shalt thou do six days, &amp;c.--**Directions are here given as to the mode of procedure. Hebrew, "horns of jubilee"; that is, the bent or crooked trumpets with which the jubilee was proclaimed. It is probable that the horns of this animal were used at first; and that afterwards, when metallic trumpets were introduced, the primitive nam...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 7-24** We have here the limits of the country Joshua conquered. A list is given of the kings subdued by Israel: thirty-one in all. This shows how fruitful Canaan then was, in which so many chose to throng together. This was the land God appointed for Israel; yet in our day it is one of the most barren and unprofitable countries in the world. Such is the effect of the curse it lies und...
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The king of Tirzah, one: all the kings thirty and one.

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KJV Study Commentary

This final verse of Joshua's conquest catalog summarizes Israel's comprehensive victory: 31 defeated kings. The phrase 'all the kings thirty and one' (<em>kol-melachim shloshim ve'echad</em>, כָּל־מְלָכִים שְׁלֹשִׁים וְאֶחָד) provides precise numerical accounting of conquered territories. Each king represented an autonomous city-state, showing Canaan's fragmented political structure facilitated Is...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**3-5. ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war. ... Thus shalt thou do six days, &amp;c.--**Directions are here given as to the mode of procedure. Hebrew, "horns of jubilee"; that is, the bent or crooked trumpets with which the jubilee was proclaimed. It is probable that the horns of this animal were used at first; and that afterwards, when metallic trumpets were introduced, the primitive nam...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 7-24** We have here the limits of the country Joshua conquered. A list is given of the kings subdued by Israel: thirty-one in all. This shows how fruitful Canaan then was, in which so many chose to throng together. This was the land God appointed for Israel; yet in our day it is one of the most barren and unprofitable countries in the world. Such is the effect of the curse it lies und...
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