King James Version

What Does Joshua 9:1 Mean?

Joshua 9:1 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof;

Joshua 9:1 · KJV


Context

1

And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof;

2

That they gathered themselves together, to fight with Joshua and with Israel, with one accord. accord: Heb. mouth

3

And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The coalition forming against Israel shows how God's people's victories provoke opposition. 'All the kings...on this side Jordan' represents unified Canaanite response to Israel's threat. The geographic catalog (hills, valleys, coasts, Lebanon) indicates comprehensive alliance across diverse terrain and peoples. The list 'Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites' represents the six primary people groups (sometimes seven including Girgashites). Their unity shows that shared threat can overcome cultural and political differences. Previously, Canaanite city-states competed with each other; now Israel's presence forces cooperation. This illustrates spiritual principle: the world unites against God's kingdom despite internal divisions (Psalm 2:1-2, Acts 4:26-27). The phrase 'when they heard' indicates Israel's reputation preceded them—their victories created fear driving coalition formation. Ironically, the very terror God sent before Israel (Joshua 2:9-11) provoked organized resistance.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Canaan in the late Bronze Age consisted of numerous city-states with shifting alliances and frequent conflicts. Egyptian hegemony had weakened, leaving a power vacuum. Israel's arrival—unified, numerous, divinely aided—represented an existential threat to all Canaanite kingdoms. The geographic diversity mentioned (mountains, lowlands, coastal plain) shows that cities across different ecological and economic zones recognized common danger. The six nations listed represent broader ethnic and cultural groups within Canaan. Archaeological evidence confirms the presence of these peoples in the regions mentioned. The phrase 'gathered themselves together' uses the Hebrew יַחַד (yachad—together, united), emphasizing unprecedented unity among typically fractious city-states. This coalition-building fulfilled God's prophecy that He would drive out these nations (Exodus 23:23, 33:2). Their unified response, though formidable, would prove insufficient against Israel's God.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does opposition to God's work sometimes intensify after initial victories?
  2. What does worldly unity against God's kingdom teach about spiritual warfare's nature?
  3. How should believers respond when success provokes increased, organized resistance?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַיְהִ֣י1 of 22
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כִשְׁמֹ֣עַ2 of 22

heard

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

כָּֽל3 of 22
H3605

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

הַמְּלָכִ֡ים4 of 22

And it came to pass when all the kings

H4428

a king

אֲשֶׁר֩5 of 22
H834

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

בְּעֵ֨בֶר6 of 22

which were on this 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

הַיַּרְדֵּ֜ן7 of 22

Jordan

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

בָּהָ֣ר8 of 22

in the hills

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

וּבַשְּׁפֵלָ֗ה9 of 22

and in the valleys

H8219

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

וּבְכֹל֙10 of 22
H3605

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

ח֚וֹף11 of 22

and in all the coasts

H2348

a cove (as a sheltered bay)

הַיָּ֣ם12 of 22

sea

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

הַגָּד֔וֹל13 of 22

of the great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

אֶל14 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מ֖וּל15 of 22

over against

H4136

properly, abrupt, i.e., a precipice; by implication, the front; used only adverbially (with prepositional prefix) opposite

הַלְּבָנ֑וֹן16 of 22

Lebanon

H3844

lebanon, a mountain range in palestine

הַֽחִתִּי֙17 of 22

the Hittite

H2850

a chittite, or descendant of cheth

וְהָ֣אֱמֹרִ֔י18 of 22

and the Amorite

H567

an emorite, one of the canaanitish tribes

הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙19 of 22

the Canaanite

H3669

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

הַפְּרִזִּ֔י20 of 22

the Perizzite

H6522

a perizzite, one of the canaanitish tribes

הַֽחִוִּ֖י21 of 22

the Hivite

H2340

a chivvite, one of the indigenous tribes of palestine

וְהַיְבוּסִֽי׃22 of 22

and the Jebusite

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 9:1 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 9:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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