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:
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;
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 Beth–jeshimoth; and from the south, under Ashdoth–pisgah:
And the coast of Og king of Bashan, which was of the remnant of the giants, that dwelt at Ashtaroth and at Edrei,
And reigned in mount Hermon, and in Salcah, and in all Bashan, unto the border of the Geshurites and the Maachathites, and half Gilead, the border of Sihon king of Heshbon.
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.
And these are the kings of the country which Joshua and the children of Israel smote on this side Jordan on the west, from Baal–gad 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;
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:
The king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai, which is beside Beth–el, one;
The king of Jerusalem, one; the king of Hebron, one;
The king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one;
The king of Eglon, one; the king of Gezer, one;
The king of Debir, one; the king of Geder, one;
The king of Hormah, one; the king of Arad, one;
The king of Libnah, one; the king of Adullam, one;
The king of Makkedah, one; the king of Beth–el, one;
The king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one;
The king of Aphek, one; the king of Lasharon, one;
The king of Madon, one; the king of Hazor, one;
The king of Shimron–meron, one; the king of Achshaph, one;
The king of Taanach, one; the king of Megiddo, one;
The king of Kedesh, one; the king of Jokneam of Carmel, one;
The king of Dor in the coast of Dor, one; the king of the nations of Gilgal, one;
The king of Tirzah, one: all the kings thirty and one.
Joshua 12 serves as a powerful historical record, detailing the kings and kingdoms conquered by the Israelites under the leadership of Moses and Joshua. This chapter, though seemingly a simple list, is far more than just names and places. It stands as a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises and His power in overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles. It's a reminder to future generations that the stories of the conquest are not mere legends or fairy tales, but historical realities rooted in God's active intervention in human affairs.
A Record of Divine Action
Joshua 12:1-24 meticulously lists the kings defeated by Israel, both east and west of the Jordan River. This detailed account serves several crucial purposes. First, it establishes the historical reality of the Israelite conquest. By naming specific kings and their territories, the chapter anchors the events in time and space, lending credibility to the narrative. These were not mythical figures or imaginary lands; these were real rulers and real kingdoms that stood in opposition to God's plan for His people.
Furthermore, the list serves as a reminder of God's judgment upon those who opposed Him. The defeated kings represent the forces of wickedness and idolatry that plagued the land of Canaan. Their demise demonstrates God's justice and His commitment to punishing hardened sinners who defied His will. In defeating these kings, God not only paved the way for Israel's inheritance but also demonstrated His power to overcome any obstacle that stood in the path of His people.
More Than Just a List
While the chapter may appear to be a simple enumeration of conquered kings, it holds deeper theological significance. Each name represents a victory, a milestone in the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham and his descendants. It's a visual representation of God's unwavering commitment to His covenant. By remembering these victories, future generations of Israelites were encouraged to trust in God's power and faithfulness, even in the face of new challenges.
The inclusion of this chapter within the book of Joshua emphasizes the importance of remembering God's past acts of deliverance. It serves as a foundation for the subsequent chapters, which detail the division of the land among the tribes of Israel (Joshua 13:1–21:45). The victories of the past provide the context for the inheritance of the future.
Implications for Today
Joshua 12 offers valuable lessons for believers today. It reminds us that God is actively involved in human history, working to accomplish His purposes. It encourages us to trust in His power to overcome any obstacle that stands in our way. It also serves as a warning against complacency and disobedience, reminding us that God judges those who oppose Him.
Just as the Israelites were called to remember God's past acts of deliverance, so too are we called to remember His faithfulness in our own lives. When we face challenges and uncertainties, we can draw strength and encouragement from the knowledge that God has been faithful in the past and will continue to be faithful in the future. The victories recorded in Joshua 12 are not just historical events; they are timeless reminders of God's power, faithfulness, and unwavering love for His people. Remembering these victories can fuel our faith and inspire us to pursue God's will with confidence and courage.
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:
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;
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 Beth–jeshimoth; and from the south, under Ashdoth–pisgah:
And the coast of Og king of Bashan, which was of the remnant of the giants, that dwelt at Ashtaroth and at Edrei,
And reigned in mount Hermon, and in Salcah, and in all Bashan, unto the border of the Geshurites and the Maachathites, and half Gilead, the border of Sihon king of Heshbon.
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.
And these are the kings of the country which Joshua and the children of Israel smote on this side Jordan on the west, from Baal–gad 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;
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:
The king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai, which is beside Beth–el, one;
The king of Jerusalem, one; the king of Hebron, one;
The king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one;
The king of Eglon, one; the king of Gezer, one;
The king of Debir, one; the king of Geder, one;
The king of Hormah, one; the king of Arad, one;
The king of Libnah, one; the king of Adullam, one;
The king of Makkedah, one; the king of Beth–el, one;
The king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one;
The king of Aphek, one; the king of Lasharon, one;
The king of Madon, one; the king of Hazor, one;
The king of Shimron–meron, one; the king of Achshaph, one;
The king of Taanach, one; the king of Megiddo, one;
The king of Kedesh, one; the king of Jokneam of Carmel, one;
The king of Dor in the coast of Dor, one; the king of the nations of Gilgal, one;
The king of Tirzah, one: all the kings thirty and one.
Joshua 12 serves as a powerful historical record, detailing the kings and kingdoms conquered by the Israelites under the leadership of Moses and Joshua. This chapter, though seemingly a simple list, is far more than just names and places. It stands as a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises and His power in overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles. It's a reminder to future generations that the stories of the conquest are not mere legends or fairy tales, but historical realities rooted in God's active intervention in human affairs.
A Record of Divine Action
Joshua 12:1-24 meticulously lists the kings defeated by Israel, both east and west of the Jordan River. This detailed account serves several crucial purposes. First, it establishes the historical reality of the Israelite conquest. By naming specific kings and their territories, the chapter anchors the events in time and space, lending credibility to the narrative. These were not mythical figures or imaginary lands; these were real rulers and real kingdoms that stood in opposition to God's plan for His people.
Furthermore, the list serves as a reminder of God's judgment upon those who opposed Him. The defeated kings represent the forces of wickedness and idolatry that plagued the land of Canaan. Their demise demonstrates God's justice and His commitment to punishing hardened sinners who defied His will. In defeating these kings, God not only paved the way for Israel's inheritance but also demonstrated His power to overcome any obstacle that stood in the path of His people.
More Than Just a List
While the chapter may appear to be a simple enumeration of conquered kings, it holds deeper theological significance. Each name represents a victory, a milestone in the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham and his descendants. It's a visual representation of God's unwavering commitment to His covenant. By remembering these victories, future generations of Israelites were encouraged to trust in God's power and faithfulness, even in the face of new challenges.
The inclusion of this chapter within the book of Joshua emphasizes the importance of remembering God's past acts of deliverance. It serves as a foundation for the subsequent chapters, which detail the division of the land among the tribes of Israel (Joshua 13:1–21:45). The victories of the past provide the context for the inheritance of the future.
Implications for Today
Joshua 12 offers valuable lessons for believers today. It reminds us that God is actively involved in human history, working to accomplish His purposes. It encourages us to trust in His power to overcome any obstacle that stands in our way. It also serves as a warning against complacency and disobedience, reminding us that God judges those who oppose Him.
Just as the Israelites were called to remember God's past acts of deliverance, so too are we called to remember His faithfulness in our own lives. When we face challenges and uncertainties, we can draw strength and encouragement from the knowledge that God has been faithful in the past and will continue to be faithful in the future. The victories recorded in Joshua 12 are not just historical events; they are timeless reminders of God's power, faithfulness, and unwavering love for His people. Remembering these victories can fuel our faith and inspire us to pursue God's will with confidence and courage.