King James Version

What Does Joshua 10:12 Mean?

Joshua 10:12 in the King James Version says “Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he s...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. stand: Heb. be silent”

Joshua 10:12 · KJV

Salvation

Context

10

And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah.

11

And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.

12

Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. stand: Heb. be silent

13

And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. Jasher: or, the upright?

14

And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel.

Read Joshua 10 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Joshua's prayer—'Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon'—requests nature's suspension to complete battle. The boldness of commanding celestial bodies demonstrates prayer confidence grounded in God's promise. The text's testimony—'And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies' (verse 13)—affirms the miracle's reality. Whether through earth's rotation stopping or light refraction, God answered Joshua's audacious prayer, demonstrating His sovereignty over creation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This miracle occurred during the defense of Gibeon against five Amorite kings (verses 1-5). The extended daylight enabled complete victory. The statement 'there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man' (verse 14) emphasizes its unique character. Various scientific explanations attempt to harmonize this with astronomy, but the account primarily testifies to God's sovereign control over His creation, able to suspend natural laws for His purposes.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Joshua's bold prayer challenge your conception of what you can ask God?
  2. What impossible requests might God want you to bring before Him in faith?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
אָ֣ז1 of 21
H227

at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore

יְדַבֵּ֤ר2 of 21

“Then spake”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

יְהוֹשֻׁעַ֙3 of 21

“Joshua”

H3091

jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader

יְהוָה֙4 of 21

“to the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בְּי֗וֹם5 of 21

“in the day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

תֵּ֤ת6 of 21

“delivered up”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

יְהוָה֙7 of 21

“to the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶת8 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָ֣אֱמֹרִ֔י9 of 21

“the Amorites”

H567

an emorite, one of the canaanitish tribes

לִפְנֵ֖י10 of 21

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

בְּנֵ֣י11 of 21

“the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל12 of 21

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר׀13 of 21

“and he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לְעֵינֵ֣י14 of 21

“in the sight”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל15 of 21

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

שֶׁ֚מֶשׁ16 of 21

“Sun”

H8121

the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement

בְּגִבְע֣וֹן17 of 21

“upon Gibeon”

H1391

gibon, a place in palestine

דּ֔וֹם18 of 21

“stand thou still”

H1826

to be dumb; by implication, to be astonished, to stop; also to perish

וְיָרֵ֖חַ19 of 21

“and thou Moon”

H3394

the moon

בְּעֵ֥מֶק20 of 21

“in the valley”

H6010

a vale (i.e., broad depression)

אַיָּלֽוֹן׃21 of 21

“of Ajalon”

H357

ajalon, the name of five places in palestine

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Joshua. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Joshua 10:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joshua 10:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Habakkuk 3:11Isaiah 38:8Isaiah 60:20Joshua 10:13Isaiah 28:21Deuteronomy 4:19

Places in This Verse

GibeonSettlement · Modern: El Jib · 31.85°N, 35.18°E39 verses across 7 books
Valley of AijalonValley · Modern: Ayalon Valley · 31.87°N, 34.96°E1 verse across 1 book
View all places in Joshua 10 →

Test Your Knowledge

Joshua 10 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJoshua Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Joshua 10 with CommentaryAll Joshua ChaptersComplete Joshua QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes