King James Version

What Does Joshua 13:22 Mean?

Joshua 13:22 in the King James Version says “Balaam also the son of Beor, the soothsayer, did the children of Israel slay with the sword among them that were slain b...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Joshua 13:22 · KJV

Context

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.

24

And Moses gave inheritance unto the tribe of Gad, even unto the children of Gad according to their families.

Read Joshua 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
With the princes of Midian, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba—These five Midianite princes (נְשִׂיאֵי מִדְיָן, nesi'ei Midyan) were vassals or allies of Sihon. Their names are preserved in Scripture as historical record and theological testimony: Evi (אֱוִי), Rekem (רֶקֶם), Zur (צוּר), Hur (חוּר), and Reba (רֶבַע). Numbers 31:8 records their deaths during Israel's war against Midian, revenge for the Baal-peor seduction (Numbers 25).

Which were dukes of Sihon, dwelling in the country—The Hebrew nesikei Sichon (נְסִיכֵי סִיחוֹן, "dukes/princes of Sihon") indicates feudal-like relationships where local rulers governed under Sihon's authority. Their defeat dismantled not just one king but an entire political network. This illustrates that spiritual warfare targets not isolated sins but systems of rebellion. The collapse of these five princes with their overlord demonstrates that God's judgment on wicked leadership cascades through entire power structures.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Midianites were nomadic descendants of Abraham through Keturah (Genesis 25:1-2), inhabiting regions from the Sinai Peninsula to Transjordan. Their alliance with Moab against Israel (Numbers 22-25) combined Balaam's curse attempt with sexual-religious seduction at Baal-peor. The five princes likely governed city-states within Sihon's kingdom, a common Ancient Near Eastern political structure where regional rulers paid tribute to a dominant king.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the defeat of multiple allied rulers with Sihon teach about how God dismantles networks of evil, not just individual sins?
  2. How does Midian's use of sexual seduction as spiritual warfare inform understanding of Satan's strategies against God's people?
  3. Why might God have preserved the names of these five defeated princes in Scripture?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וְאֶת1 of 11
H853

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

בִּלְעָ֥ם2 of 11

“Balaam”

H1109

bilam, a place in palestine

בְנֵֽי3 of 11

“also the son”

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

בְּע֖וֹר4 of 11

“of Beor”

H1160

beor, the name of the father of an edomitish king; also of that of balaam

הַקּוֹסֵ֑ם5 of 11

“the soothsayer”

H7080

properly, to distribute, i.e., determine by lot or magical scroll; by implication, to divine

הָֽרְג֧וּ6 of 11

“slay”

H2026

to smite with deadly intent

בְנֵֽי7 of 11

“also the son”

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל8 of 11

“of Israel”

H3478

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

בַּחֶ֖רֶב9 of 11

“with the sword”

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

אֶל10 of 11

“among them”

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

חַלְלֵיהֶֽם׃11 of 11

“that were slain”

H2491

pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted

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 13:22 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 13:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 31:8Jude 1:112 Peter 2:15Revelation 2:14Numbers 22:5-7Numbers 24:1

Test Your Knowledge

Joshua 13 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJoshua Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Joshua 13 with CommentaryAll Joshua ChaptersComplete Joshua QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes