King James Version

What Does Joshua 12:8 Mean?

Joshua 12:8 in the King James Version says “In the mountains, and in the valleys, and in the plains, and in the springs, and in the wilderness, and in the south cou...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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:”

Joshua 12:8 · KJV

Context

6

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.

7

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;

8

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:

9

The king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai, which is beside Bethel, one;

10

The king of Jerusalem, one; the king of Hebron, one;

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
In the mountains, and in the valleys, and in the plains, and in the springs, and in the wilderness, and in the south country—This comprehensive geographic catalog uses six Hebrew terms for terrain types, emphasizing total conquest across every ecological zone. The har (הַר, 'mountains'), shephelah (שְׁפֵלָה, 'lowlands'), arabah (עֲרָבָה, 'plains'), ashedoth (אֲשֵׁדוֹת, 'slopes/springs'), midbar (מִדְבָּר, 'wilderness'), and negev (נֶגֶב, 'south country') represent Canaan's full topographical diversity.

The Hittites, the Amorites, and the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites—The sixfold ethnic list (compare Exodus 3:8's sevenfold) catalogs the peoples Israel displaced under divine judgment for filling up the 'iniquity of the Amorites' (Genesis 15:16). This wasn't ethnic cleansing but covenant judgment executed through Israel as God's instrument, foreshadowing final judgment through Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This catalog (12:7-24) functions as a victory monument in literary form, comparable to Egyptian and Mesopotamian king lists. The six terrain types represent Canaan's full ecological diversity from Mediterranean coast to Jordan rift valley. The six ethnic groups (compare Exodus 3:8's seven) represent the peoples under divine judgment. Archaeological surveys confirm the geopolitical fragmentation described here—Canaan was divided into numerous small city-states, not unified kingdoms, making systematic conquest feasible.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the completeness of terrain types (mountains to wilderness) illustrate that Christian discipleship must engage every area of life, not just comfortable zones?
  2. What does God's patient waiting until the Amorites' 'iniquity was full' (Genesis 15:16) teach about His justice being both certain and measured?
  3. How should the reality of divine judgment through human agency inform your understanding of God's sovereignty in history?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
בָּהָ֣ר1 of 12

“In the mountains”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

וּבַשְּׁפֵלָ֗ה2 of 12

“and in the valleys”

H8219

lowland, i.e., (with the article) the maritime slope of palestine

וּבָֽעֲרָבָה֙3 of 12

“and in the plains”

H6160

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

וּבָ֣אֲשֵׁד֔וֹת4 of 12

“and in the springs”

H794

a ravine

וּבַמִּדְבָּ֖ר5 of 12

“and in the wilderness”

H4057

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

וּבַנֶּ֑גֶב6 of 12

“and in the south country”

H5045

the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)

הַֽחִתִּי֙7 of 12

“the Hittites”

H2850

a chittite, or descendant of cheth

הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔י8 of 12

“the Amorites”

H567

an emorite, one of the canaanitish tribes

וְהַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙9 of 12

“and the Canaanites”

H3669

a kenaanite or inhabitant of kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the canaanites standing for their neighbors the ishmaelites, who conducted mercantile c

הַפְּרִזִּ֔י10 of 12

“the Perizzites”

H6522

a perizzite, one of the canaanitish tribes

הַֽחִוִּ֖י11 of 12

“the Hivites”

H2340

a chivvite, one of the indigenous tribes of palestine

וְהַיְבוּסִֽי׃12 of 12

“and the Jebusites”

H2983

a jebusite or inhabitant of jebus

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 12:8 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 12:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 11:16Joshua 9:1Joshua 10:40Exodus 3:8Deuteronomy 9:1Genesis 15:18-21

Places in This Verse

ArabahRegion · Modern: Arabah · 30.42°N, 35.15°E26 verses across 10 books
NegebRegion · Modern: Tel Beer Sheva · 31.24°N, 34.84°E43 verses across 13 books
ShephelahRegion · Modern: Shephelah · 31.69°N, 34.88°E19 verses across 9 books
View all places in Joshua 12 →

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