King James Version

What Does Joshua 12:1 Mean?

Joshua 12:1 in the King James Version says “Now these are the kings of the land, which the children of Israel smote, and possessed their land on the other side Jord...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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:”

Joshua 12:1 · KJV

Context

1

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:

2

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;

3

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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Commentary

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 rising of the sun' (east of Jordan) marks the Transjordan territories conquered under Moses. The boundaries 'from the river Arnon unto mount Hermon' span from modern central Jordan to southern Lebanon, covering approximately 120 miles north-south. The Arnon River (modern Wadi Mujib) formed Moab's northern boundary, while Mount Hermon (9,200 feet elevation) dominated northern Transjordan. The phrase 'all the plain on the east' (kol-haaravah mizrachah, כָּל־הָעֲרָבָה מִזְרָחָה) refers to the Jordan Valley and Dead Sea regions. This detailed record serves multiple purposes: documenting fulfilled prophecy, establishing legal claim to territory, memorializing God's faithfulness, and providing historical testimony to divine intervention in Israel's conquest.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The conquest east of Jordan preceded the main Canaan campaign, occurring during the final year of wilderness wandering under Moses' leadership (Numbers 21-32; Deuteronomy 2-3). King Sihon of Heshbon and King Og of Bashan were defeated, their territories allocated to Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh. These Transjordan victories demonstrated God's power and encouraged Israel for the greater conquest ahead. Ancient Near Eastern conquest accounts typically cataloged defeated kings and cities to legitimize territorial claims and glorify victorious rulers. Joshua's list differs by emphasizing divine agency—these victories manifested God's faithfulness rather than merely human prowess. The catalog's precision indicates careful record-keeping, likely based on official archives maintained by tribal leaders and priests. Archaeological evidence confirms many of these cities' existence and destruction in the Late Bronze Age, though dating debates continue. The systematic enumeration of 31 kings (verse 24) demonstrates the fragmented political structure of Canaan—multiple small city-states rather than unified kingdoms, facilitating Israel's conquest.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Israel's meticulous record-keeping of God's faithfulness challenge you to remember and document God's works in your life?
  2. What 'kings' or strongholds in your life has God helped you conquer, and how can remembering these victories encourage present faith?
  3. How does the comprehensive nature of this list demonstrate God's thoroughness in fulfilling His promises?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְאֵ֣לֶּה׀1 of 22
H428

these or those

מַלְכֵ֣י2 of 22

“Now these are the kings”

H4428

a king

אַרְצָ֔ם3 of 22

“of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר4 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הִכּ֤וּ5 of 22

“smote”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

בְנֵֽי6 of 22

“which 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

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙7 of 22

“of Israel”

H3478

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

וַיִּֽרְשׁ֣וּ8 of 22

“and possessed”

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

אֶת9 of 22
H853

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

אַרְצָ֔ם10 of 22

“of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

בְּעֵ֥בֶר11 of 22

“on the other side”

H5676

properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning

הַיַּרְדֵּ֖ן12 of 22

“Jordan”

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

מִזְרָֽחָה׃13 of 22

“on the east”

H4217

sunrise, i.e., the east

הַשָּׁ֑מֶשׁ14 of 22

“of the sun”

H8121

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

מִנַּ֤חַל15 of 22

“from the river”

H5158

a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)

אַרְנוֹן֙16 of 22

“Arnon”

H769

the arnon, a river east of the jordan, also its territory

עַד17 of 22
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

הַ֣ר18 of 22

“unto mount”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

חֶרְמ֔וֹן19 of 22

“Hermon”

H2768

chermon, a mount of palestine

וְכָל20 of 22
H3605

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

הָֽעֲרָבָ֖ה21 of 22

“and all the plain”

H6160

a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the jordan and its continuation to the red sea

מִזְרָֽחָה׃22 of 22

“on the east”

H4217

sunrise, i.e., the east

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 12:1 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 12:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 3:8-9Judges 11:18Joshua 1:15Numbers 21:24Numbers 21:13Joshua 11:17

Places in This Verse

ArabahRegion · Modern: Arabah · 30.42°N, 35.15°E26 verses across 10 books
JordanRiver · Modern: Jordan River · 31.76°N, 35.56°E202 verses across 21 books
Mount HermonMountain · Modern: Mount Hermon · 33.40°N, 35.85°E16 verses across 6 books
Valley of the ArnonValley · Modern: Wadi Mujib · 31.47°N, 35.57°E11 verses across 3 books
View all places in Joshua 12 →

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