King James Version

What Does Joshua 13:21 Mean?

Joshua 13:21 in the King James Version says “And all the cities of the plain, and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And all the cities of the plain, and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses smote with the princes of Midian, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, which were dukes of Sihon, dwelling in the country.

Joshua 13:21 · KJV


Context

19

And Kirjathaim, and Sibmah, and Zarethshahar in the mount of the valley,

20

And Bethpeor, and Ashdothpisgah , and Bethjeshimoth, Ashdothpisgah: or, springs of Pisgah, or, the hill

21

And all the cities of the plain, and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses smote with the princes of Midian, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, which were dukes of Sihon, dwelling in the country.

22

Balaam also the son of Beor, the soothsayer, did the children of Israel slay with the sword among them that were slain by them. soothsayer: or, diviner

23

And the border of the children of Reuben was Jordan, and the border thereof. This was the inheritance of the children of Reuben after their families, the cities and the villages thereof.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And all the cities of the plain, and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites—This verse summarizes Reuben's inheritance: the entire Moabite plateau (ha-mishor, הַמִּישֹׁר) and Sihon's former kingdom. Sihon (סִיחוֹן) represents Israel's first major military victory west of the wilderness, a defining moment when God demonstrated His faithfulness to the new generation after forty years of judgment. The comprehensive phrase "all the kingdom" emphasizes total victory and complete transference of sovereignty.

Which reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses smote—The verb nakah (נָכָה, "to strike/smote") recalls the decisive defeat in Numbers 21. The text attributes victory to Moses, but Numbers 21:34 records God's command: "Fear him not: for I have delivered him into thy hand." This dual agency—human obedience and divine power—characterizes Israel's conquest. Moses struck, but God delivered. The passive voice in Joshua's rehearsal focuses on completed action: Sihon was defeated, his kingdom given, the promise fulfilled.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Sihon's kingdom stretched from the Arnon River in the south to the Jabbok River in the north, controlling the crucial King's Highway trade route. His defeat around 1406 BC was Israel's first Transjordan conquest, providing land for Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh. This victory also terrified Canaan's inhabitants (Joshua 2:10), preparing the way psychologically for the westward conquest.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the dual agency in conquest (Moses struck/God delivered) inform our understanding of divine sovereignty and human responsibility?
  2. What does receiving 'all the kingdom' of a defeated enemy foreshadow about believers' complete victory in Christ?
  3. Why might God have chosen to give Israel's first major victory east of Jordan rather than within Canaan proper?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 32 words
וְכֹל֙1 of 32
H3605

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

עָרֵ֣י2 of 32

And all the cities

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

הַמִּישֹׁ֔ר3 of 32

of the plain

H4334

a level, i.e., a plain (often used (with the article prefix) as a proper name of certain districts); figuratively, concord; also straightness, i.e., (

וְכָֽל4 of 32
H3605

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

מַמְלְכ֗וּת5 of 32

and all the kingdom

H4468

dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)

סִיח֔וֹן6 of 32

of Sihon

H5511

sichon, an amoritish king

מֶ֣לֶךְ7 of 32

king

H4428

a king

הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔י8 of 32

of the Amorites

H567

an emorite, one of the canaanitish tribes

אֲשֶׁ֥ר9 of 32
H834

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

מָלַ֖ךְ10 of 32

which reigned

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

בְּחֶשְׁבּ֑וֹן11 of 32

in Heshbon

H2809

cheshbon, a place east of the jordan

אֲשֶׁר֩12 of 32
H834

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

הִכָּ֨ה13 of 32

smote

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

מֹשֶׁ֜ה14 of 32

whom Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

אֹת֣וֹ׀15 of 32
H853

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

וְאֶת16 of 32
H853

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

נְשִׂיאֵ֣י17 of 32

with the princes

H5387

properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist

מִדְיָ֗ן18 of 32

of Midian

H4080

midjan, a son of abraham; also his country and (collectively) his descendants

אֶת19 of 32
H853

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

אֱוִ֤י20 of 32

Evi

H189

evi, a midianitish chief

וְאֶת21 of 32
H853

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

רֶ֙קֶם֙22 of 32

and Rekem

H7552

rekem, the name of a place in palestine, also of a midianite and an israelite

וְאֶת23 of 32
H853

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

צ֤וּר24 of 32

and Zur

H6698

tsur, the name of a midianite and of an israelite

וְאֶת25 of 32
H853

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

חוּר֙26 of 32

and Hur

H2354

chur, the name of four israelites and one midianite

וְאֶת27 of 32
H853

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

רֶ֔בַע28 of 32

and Reba

H7254

reba, a midianite

נְסִיכֵ֣י29 of 32

which were dukes

H5257

properly, something poured out, i.e., a libation; by implication, a prince (as anointed)

סִיח֔וֹן30 of 32

of Sihon

H5511

sichon, an amoritish king

יֹֽשְׁבֵ֖י31 of 32

dwelling

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

הָאָֽרֶץ׃32 of 32

in the country

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)


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 13:21 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 13:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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