Joshua 12 1

Joshua 12:1 kjv

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:

Joshua 12:1 nkjv

These are the kings of the land whom the children of Israel defeated, and whose land they possessed on the other side of the Jordan toward the rising of the sun, from the River Arnon to Mount Hermon, and all the eastern Jordan plain:

Joshua 12:1 niv

These are the kings of the land whom the Israelites had defeated and whose territory they took over east of the Jordan, from the Arnon Gorge to Mount Hermon, including all the eastern side of the Arabah:

Joshua 12:1 esv

Now these are the kings of the land whom the people of Israel defeated and took possession of their land beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise, from the Valley of the Arnon to Mount Hermon, with all the Arabah eastward:

Joshua 12:1 nlt

These are the kings east of the Jordan River who had been killed by the Israelites and whose land was taken. Their territory extended from the Arnon Gorge to Mount Hermon and included all the land east of the Jordan Valley.

Joshua 12 verses

Joshua 12 1 Meaning

Joshua 12:1 serves as the introductory verse to a summary list of kings defeated by Israel. It specifically highlights the conquests that occurred under Moses, prior to Joshua's leadership, on the east side of the Jordan River. These victories involved defeating powerful kings—Sihon of the Amorites and Og of Bashan—and taking possession of their territories, stretching from the Arnon Valley in the south to Mount Hermon in the north, encompassing the Arabah eastward. This verse acts as a retrospective acknowledgment of God's prior acts of delivering the land to Israel, setting the stage for the subsequent enumeration of lands conquered under Joshua.

Joshua 12 1 Context

Joshua chapter 12 serves as a pivotal summary following the main narrative of the conquest of Canaan (chapters 1-11) and preceding the detailed distribution of the land (chapters 13-24). Specifically, Joshua 12:1-6 recounts the kings and their territories that were conquered by Moses on the east side of the Jordan, before Joshua's primary campaigns in Canaan. This retrospective provides a complete record of Israel's initial successes under divine guidance, highlighting the continuity of God's work across leaders and time. It confirms the fulfillment of earlier divine promises and validates Israel's right to the entire promised territory, both east and west of the Jordan. Historically, these events took place as Israel migrated from Egypt toward Canaan, encountering resistance from the kingdoms of Sihon and Og in the plains of Moab and Bashan.

Joshua 12 1 Word analysis

• Now these (וְאֵלֶּה, ve’elleh): A common Hebrew transitional phrase, often marking the beginning of a summary or a new list. Here, it introduces the comprehensive tally of conquered kings.
• are the kings (מַלְכֵי, malkey): Refers to the political rulers of independent city-states or territories. Their defeat signified the complete dismantling of existing political power structures in the region. The word melek (king) implies absolute authority over the land and its people.
• of the land (הָאָרֶץ, ha’aretz): Specifically, the land of Canaan, encompassing both sides of the Jordan. It highlights the primary objective of the conquest: taking possession of the promised inheritance.
• whom the people of Israel (אֲשֶׁר הִכּוּ בְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, asher hikku bene Yisra’el): Literally, "whom the sons of Israel struck." The verb הִכּוּ (hikku), from נכה (nakah), means "to strike down," "defeat," "smite." While physically carried out by Israel, the narrative consistently attributes the victory to God's power and command.
• defeated (הִכּוּ, hikku): Signifies a decisive military victory leading to the demise of the kings and their armies. This term often implies a thorough, God-empowered crushing of opposition.
• and dispossessed (וַיִּירְשׁוּ, vayyirshu): From the root ירשׁ (yarash), meaning "to inherit," "to take possession of," "to dispossess." This is a crucial theological term as it underlines the concept of Israel inheriting the land as a divine gift, taking it from its former occupants whom God deemed unworthy.
• beyond the Jordan (בְּעֵבֶר הַיַּרְדֵּן, bəʿever hayyardēn): A key geographical marker, referring to the territory on the east side of the Jordan River, also known as Transjordan. This phrase clearly differentiates these conquests (under Moses) from those listed later (under Joshua, west of the Jordan).
• toward the sunrise (מִזְרְחָה שָׁמֶשׁ, mizraḥah shamēsh): Literally "eastward, of the sun," reinforcing the geographical location "beyond the Jordan" as being on the eastern side, facing the rising sun.
• from the Arnon Valley (מִנַּחַל אַרְנוֹן, minnaḥal Arnon): The Arnon River formed a significant natural boundary, serving as the southern border of Sihon's Amorite kingdom. It marks the southernmost extent of Israel's conquests on the east bank.
• to Mount Hermon (עַד הַר חֶרְמוֹן, ʿad har Ḥermon): Mount Hermon, the highest mountain in the Anti-Lebanon range, marked the northernmost extent of Og's kingdom of Bashan. This defines the full north-south territorial scope of the Transjordanian conquests.
• with all the Arabah eastward (וְכָל הָעֲרָבָה מִזְרָחָה, vəḵol hāʿaravah mizrāḥah): The Arabah refers to the rift valley that runs along the Jordan River. "Eastward" clarifies that it pertains to the eastern part of this valley. This specifies the entire geographic area of the conquered territory in Transjordan, from the valley floor up to the plateau.

Words-Group by Words-Group Analysis:

• "Now these are the kings of the land whom the people of Israel defeated and dispossessed": This phrase introduces the comprehensive list, attributing the victories directly to "the people of Israel" but within the context of God's overarching command and empowerment. The verbs "defeated" and "dispossessed" summarize the violent overthrow and subsequent legal taking of territory, emphasizing both military triumph and divine authorization for possession.
• "beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise, from the Arnon Valley to Mount Hermon, with all the Arabah eastward": This detailed geographical description precisely defines the territorial scope of the first phase of conquest. It establishes clear boundaries and distinguishes these lands from those west of the Jordan, reinforcing that a substantial part of the promised land had already been secured before the main campaign under Joshua. This demonstrates God's consistent fulfillment of His promises in granting land and victory across the span of leadership.

Joshua 12 1 Bonus section

This introductory verse is significant because it establishes continuity in divine providence across different leaders. The victories under Moses, summarized here, were not isolated events but were integral parts of God's singular, unfolding plan to grant Israel the Promised Land. This continuity underscores the idea that God is consistent in His character and purposes, using various instruments (Moses and Joshua) to achieve His unchanging will. The detailed geographical markers emphasize the concreteness of these historical events and the physical boundaries of the land promised and received. This verse thus solidifies Israel's claim to both Transjordanian territories and Canaan proper as divinely given inheritance.

Joshua 12 1 Commentary

Joshua 12:1 provides a crucial historical summary, establishing a foundational premise for the entire conquest narrative: God's faithfulness in delivering the land was not solely confined to Joshua's campaigns but extended to the earlier victories orchestrated under Moses. This verse functions as an essential prelude, affirming that the Lord had already proven His power by defeating formidable kings like Sihon and Og and enabling Israel to take possession of their fertile territories east of the Jordan. It sets a precedent, confirming that the land east of the Jordan, a significant portion, was already secured through divine empowerment and granted as an inheritance. This served as both a confirmation of God's past fidelity and an assurance of future success in the battles yet to come west of the Jordan, demonstrating His comprehensive plan for Israel's settlement in the Promised Land. This victory illustrates God's judgment upon the wicked and His provision for His covenant people.