Joshua 10 1

Joshua 10:1 kjv

Now it came to pass, when Adonizedec king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them;

Joshua 10:1 nkjv

Now it came to pass when Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem heard how Joshua had taken Ai and had utterly destroyed it? as he had done to Jericho and its king, so he had done to Ai and its king?and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and were among them,

Joshua 10:1 niv

Now Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem heard that Joshua had taken Ai and totally destroyed it, doing to Ai and its king as he had done to Jericho and its king, and that the people of Gibeon had made a treaty of peace with Israel and had become their allies.

Joshua 10:1 esv

As soon as Adoni-zedek, king of Jerusalem, heard how Joshua had captured Ai and had devoted it to destruction, doing to Ai and its king as he had done to Jericho and its king, and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and were among them,

Joshua 10:1 nlt

Adoni-zedek, king of Jerusalem, heard that Joshua had captured and completely destroyed Ai and killed its king, just as he had destroyed the town of Jericho and killed its king. He also learned that the Gibeonites had made peace with Israel and were now their allies.

Joshua 10 verses

Joshua 10 1 Meaning

Joshua 10:1 conveys the profound impact of Israel’s victories over Jericho and Ai, and the unexpected peace treaty with Gibeon, on the Canaanite city-states. It specifically highlights the fear and concern of Adoni-zedek, the king of Jerusalem, indicating the growing awareness and apprehension among the inhabitants of the land concerning Israel’s advance and their divinely-assisted conquest. This verse sets the stage for the united opposition that emerges against Israel.

Joshua 10 1 Context

Joshua 10:1 stands at a pivotal point in the book of Joshua, transitioning from Israel's initial, swift conquests of strategically important cities (Jericho and Ai) and a deceptive treaty (Gibeon) to the widespread conflict involving a coalition of Southern Canaanite kings. The preceding chapters establish Israel's power, guided by God, through the miraculous fall of Jericho (Chapter 6) and the victory at Ai following repentance for Achan's sin (Chapters 7-8). Chapter 9 describes the Gibeonites' clever ruse, leading Joshua to make a peace treaty with them, which, though against the specific commands regarding certain Canaanite nations, was honored due to the oath. This series of events – a demonstration of overwhelming power, a herem policy of complete destruction, and an unexpected integration through diplomacy – profoundly unsettled the existing political order among the Canaanite city-states. The historical context reveals Canaan as a patchwork of independent city-states, each ruled by its own king, often vying for dominance or forming temporary alliances. The consistent, destructive advance of Israel, fueled by the terrifying tales of Jericho and Ai, directly threatened their survival, making Adoni-zedek’s reaction both understandable and politically logical within their tribal, polytheistic societal framework.

Joshua 10 1 Word analysis

• Now it came about: Hebrew wayhî (וַיְהִי), a common biblical narrative device indicating a transition or introduction to a new significant event. It suggests that what follows is a natural consequence of the preceding actions and is unfolding according to God's larger plan.
• when Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem:
  • Adoni-zedek: (אֲדֹנִי־צֶדֶק) Means "My Lord is righteousness" or "Lord of righteousness." This name parallels "Melchizedek" (מַלְכִּי־צֶדֶק), "My King is righteousness," the priest-king of Salem in Gen 14, implying a royal or even priestly lineage or title in Jerusalem (Salem). The name itself suggests a connection to concepts of justice or divine order, but ironically, Adoni-zedek resists the true divine righteousness embodied in God's judgment through Israel.
  • Jerusalem: (יְרוּשָׁלַ֫םִ Yerushaláyim or Urusalim in Akkadian) At this time, Jerusalem was a powerful Jebusite city-state in the central highlands of Canaan. It was strategically located and appears to have had significant influence. Its later prominence as the City of David (2 Sam 5:6-9) and God's chosen city for His temple gives this early mention significant prophetic weight, showing even its original king's opposition to God's chosen people.
• heard: The spread of information, often exaggerated by fear, plays a crucial role in biblical narratives, showcasing the power of divine reputation. The news of Israel's supernatural victories and a consistent pattern of triumph quickly disseminated across the region, generating alarm and dread (Deut 2:25, Jos 2:9-11).
• that Joshua had captured Ai and had utterly destroyed it:
  • Joshua: (יְהוֹשֻׁעַ Yehoshu‘a) Meaning "The Lord is salvation" or "The Lord saves." He is God's divinely appointed leader for the conquest, highlighting that Israel's successes were not merely military but stemmed from the Lord's intervention and guidance.
  • captured Ai: Ai was a significant walled city (though smaller than Jericho). Its initial defeat by Israel (Jos 8) demonstrated Israel's power was not limited to miraculous acts, but also involved effective military strategy, provided by God.
  • utterly destroyed it: Hebrew charam (חָרַם) from ḥērem (חֵרֶם), which means "devoted," often referring to items or people set apart for God, to be utterly destroyed for Him. This was not merely warfare but a divine command for consecrated extermination, purging the land of the Canaanites' extreme idolatry and moral depravity (Deut 9:5, Lev 18:24-25). It served as a complete spiritual purification and a stark demonstration of God's wrath against sin, inspiring terror and signifying God's covenant faithfulness to Israel.
• just as he had done to Jericho: The reference to Jericho emphasizes a consistent, devastating pattern of conquest, not an isolated incident. Jericho's fall (Jos 6) was miraculous and unprecedented, solidifying Israel's reputation as a divinely aided force and instilling even greater dread among their enemies (Jos 2:9-11).
• and that the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and were among them:
  • Gibeon: (גִּבְעוֹן Gib‘on) A prominent Hivite city (Jos 9:7) that secured a treaty through deception. This act defied the herem command but was upheld by Joshua due to an oath (Jos 9:15-21).
  • made peace: (שָׁלוֹם shalom) Literally "made peace," signifying a binding covenant or treaty. This development contrasted sharply with the policy of herem applied to Jericho and Ai. For Adoni-zedek, this alliance represented a crack in the Canaanite resistance and a direct threat. It was a failure of the Canaanites to present a united front against Israel and signaled a willingness to betray their brethren for survival, intensifying the urgency for Adoni-zedek to act.
  • were among them: Implies Gibeon was now part of the Israelite camp/territory, serving them (Jos 9:23). This outcome demonstrated Israel's ability to incorporate certain groups under covenant, providing an alternative to outright destruction, yet still serving God's purpose for Israel to take the land.

Joshua 10 1 Bonus section

The mention of "Jerusalem" as an opposing city-state king at this early stage in Israel's history is highly significant. While it would later become the sacred city of God's people and the center of Israel's worship and monarchy, its initial appearance in Joshua is as a formidable enemy of God's kingdom. This prefigures the spiritual battle for Jerusalem throughout biblical history, often symbolizing the world's resistance to God's righteous rule. Adoni-zedek's "righteous" name further highlights this ironic opposition to God's true righteousness that comes through Israel and eventually Christ. His reaction also underscores the "fear of the Lord" motif prevalent in conquest narratives, demonstrating how God prepared the land for Israel by breaking the morale of its inhabitants even before direct confrontation.

Joshua 10 1 Commentary

Joshua 10:1 succinctly reveals the strategic shift in the Canaanite resistance. Adoni-zedek, the king of a powerful and ancient city like Jerusalem, represents the peak of Canaanite authority. His fear is a testimony to the effectiveness of God's judgment enacted through Israel's conquests. The deliberate distinction between the total annihilation of Jericho and Ai, achieved through supernatural and divinely-guided military power, and the unexpected peace forged with Gibeon, through clever diplomacy on Gibeon's part, creates a crisis of choice for the remaining Canaanite city-states. Adoni-zedek's realization is not merely that Israel is strong, but that their God is devastatingly powerful and also covenant-keeping, even in unexpected circumstances. This verse perfectly sets the stage for the concerted effort of five Canaanite kings to challenge Israel and the Gibeonites, signaling a unified but ultimately futile opposition against God’s unfolding plan for His people.