King James Version

What Does Joshua 10:5 Mean?

Joshua 10:5 in the King James Version says “Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of La... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it.

Joshua 10:5 · KJV


Context

3

Wherefore Adonizedek king of Jerusalem sent unto Hoham king of Hebron, and unto Piram king of Jarmuth, and unto Japhia king of Lachish, and unto Debir king of Eglon, saying,

4

Come up unto me, and help me, that we may smite Gibeon: for it hath made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel.

5

Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it.

6

And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us.

7

So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valour.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The coalition mobilizes: 'Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it.' The repetition of all five kings emphasizes comprehensive allied participation. The phrase 'they and all their hosts' indicates full military mobilization—not token forces but complete armies. The verb 'encamped' (chanah, חָנָה) suggests establishing siege positions. The phrase 'made war against it' uses Hebrew lacham (לָחַם)—to fight, wage war. This full-scale assault on Gibeon creates crisis triggering Israel's intervention. The passage demonstrates how God orchestrates circumstances: Gibeon's deception led to treaty; treaty obligated Israel's defense; defense concentrated enemies for defeat. Human plans, including deceptive ones, ultimately serve divine purposes (Proverbs 19:21).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The five cities' combined military force represented formidable power. Jerusalem, Hebron, and Lachish especially were major fortified cities with professional armies. Their full mobilization ('all their hosts') meant thousands of warriors besieging Gibeon. Ancient siege warfare involved surrounding the city, cutting supply lines, and either starving defenders or assaulting walls. Gibeon, though 'mighty' (verse 2), couldn't withstand five allied armies indefinitely. The siege's rapidity (Gibeonites send urgent message to Joshua, verse 6) suggests the attack threatened quick success. Archaeological evidence confirms these cities were major powers—excavations at Lachish reveal massive fortifications, confirming biblical descriptions. The coalition's commitment—leaving their own cities to campaign against Gibeon—shows how seriously they took the defection threat. This concentration of forces, intended to overwhelm Gibeon, created opportunity for Israel to defeat multiple enemies simultaneously. God's providence turns enemies' strength (coordinated attack) into weakness (concentrated targets for defeat).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God use enemies' coordinated efforts against them (concentrated forces easier to defeat)?
  2. What does the rapid mobilization teach about urgency in addressing perceived threats?
  3. When has God turned apparently overwhelming opposition into opportunity for decisive victory?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַיֵּאָֽסְפ֨וּ1 of 23

gathered themselves together

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

וַֽיַּעֲל֜וּ2 of 23

and went up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

חֲמֵ֣שֶׁת׀3 of 23

Therefore the five

H2568

five

מֶֽלֶךְ4 of 23

kings

H4428

a king

הָֽאֱמֹרִ֗י5 of 23

of the Amorites

H567

an emorite, one of the canaanitish tribes

מֶֽלֶךְ6 of 23

kings

H4428

a king

יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֜ם7 of 23

of Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

מֶֽלֶךְ8 of 23

kings

H4428

a king

חֶבְר֤וֹן9 of 23

of Hebron

H2275

chebron, the name of two israelites

מֶֽלֶךְ10 of 23

kings

H4428

a king

יַרְמוּת֙11 of 23

of Jarmuth

H3412

jarmuth, the name of two places in palestine

מֶֽלֶךְ12 of 23

kings

H4428

a king

לָכִ֣ישׁ13 of 23

of Lachish

H3923

lakish, a place in palestine

מֶֽלֶךְ14 of 23

kings

H4428

a king

עֶגְל֔וֹן15 of 23

of Eglon

H5700

eglon, the name of a place in palestine and of a moabitish king

הֵ֖ם16 of 23
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

וְכָל17 of 23
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מַֽחֲנֵיהֶ֑ם18 of 23

they and all their hosts

H4264

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

וַֽיַּחֲנוּ֙19 of 23

and encamped

H2583

properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening); specifically, to pitch a tent; generally to encamp (for abode or s

עַל20 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

גִּבְע֔וֹן21 of 23

before Gibeon

H1391

gibon, a place in palestine

וַיִּֽלָּחֲמ֖וּ22 of 23

and made war

H3898

to feed on; figuratively, to consume

עָלֶֽיהָ׃23 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications


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 10:5 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 10:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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