Joshua 12 11

Joshua 12:11 kjv

The king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one;

Joshua 12:11 nkjv

the king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one;

Joshua 12:11 niv

the king of Jarmuth ? one the king of Lachish ? one

Joshua 12:11 esv

the king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one;

Joshua 12:11 nlt

The king of Jarmuth
The king of Lachish

Joshua 12 verses

Joshua 12 11 Meaning

Joshua 12:11 records the defeat of the king of Jarmuth and the king of Lachish as part of the total enumeration of the thirty-one kings whom Joshua and the Israelites conquered on the west side of the Jordan. This verse highlights the comprehensiveness of Israel's victory, showcasing that each city-state, despite its king, was subject to divine judgment and conquest by God's people.

Joshua 12 11 Context

Joshua chapter 12 serves as a concluding summary of the land conquests, highlighting God's faithful fulfillment of His covenant promises to Abraham and Israel. Verses 1-6 list the kings defeated east of the Jordan, primarily under Moses. Verses 7-24 then enumerate the 31 kings conquered west of the Jordan under Joshua's leadership, detailing the cities and regions secured. This extensive list underscores the totality and divine success of the Israelite military campaign against the Canaanites. Each king represented an independent city-state, and their collective defeat signified the complete subjugation of the promised land.

Historically, Canaan was a land of diverse, independent city-states, each ruled by its own "king" (often a local ruler or chieftain). These entities possessed fortified walls and organized defenses. The people practiced idolatry, child sacrifice, and various immoral cultic practices, leading to God's decree of judgment upon them. The conquest was not merely a territorial expansion but a divine judgment ("holy war") against the extreme wickedness of the inhabitants, and simultaneously, the establishment of Israel as God's covenant people in their promised inheritance. The detailed enumeration, including cities like Jarmuth and Lachish, demonstrates the scope of divine intervention and challenges any contemporary beliefs in the local deities who were seemingly unable to protect their lands and kings from the God of Israel. It served as a powerful declaration that Yahweh alone was sovereign over all kingdoms.

Joshua 12 11 Word analysis

• the king of Jarmuth (מֶלֶךְ יַרְמוּת, melekh Yarmuth)

  • melekh (מֶלֶךְ): Hebrew for "king." This term designates the ruler of a city-state. In Canaan, these kings often governed their cities and surrounding villages, akin to warlords or princes of sovereign entities. The consistent naming of "the king of [city]" throughout this list emphasizes the defeat of distinct, individual powers.
  • Yarmuth (יַרְמוּת): An Amorite city-state located in the Shephelah (foothills) region of Judah. Jarmuth was one of the five Amorite kings who formed a coalition to attack Gibeon after Gibeon made a treaty with Israel (Josh 10:3-5). Its king was defeated by Joshua, who then captured the city (Josh 10:28-29). The inclusion of Jarmuth underscores the systematic defeat of all formidable opposition.

• one (אֶחָד, eḥād)

  • eḥād: Hebrew for "one." In this context, it functions as a simple numeral, signifying "one king" from each named city. Its repetition throughout the list (e.g., "the king of Hazor, one; the king of Madon, one;") creates a meticulous and exhaustive tally, stressing that each independent city and its ruler was individually conquered. It conveys a sense of thoroughness and completeness, affirming that no kingdom or ruler escaped Israel's divinely assisted conquest.

• the king of Lachish (מֶלֶךְ לָכִישׁ, melekh Lakish)

  • Lakish (לָכִישׁ): A major Canaanite city-state, strategically located in the Shephelah. Like Jarmuth, its king was also part of the southern coalition against Gibeon (Josh 10:3-5). Lachish was a significant stronghold, one of the most powerful and well-fortified cities in Canaan. Its conquest involved a siege (Josh 10:31-32) and its king, along with his forces, was utterly destroyed (Josh 10:35). The specific mention of such a prominent city highlights the scale and significance of God's power demonstrated through Joshua.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "the king of [City], one; the king of [City], one;": This repeated structure across the entire chapter is highly significant. It emphasizes a deliberate and precise record of individual conquests, showcasing:
    • Divine Sovereignty: No king or city, however fortified or powerful, could withstand the might of Yahweh who fought for Israel.
    • Thoroughness of Conquest: The list indicates that the victory was not random or partial, but systematic and comprehensive, covering many distinct kingdoms.
    • Fulfillment of Promise: It visually demonstrates God's faithfulness in delivering the land to Israel and dispossessing its inhabitants, as promised to the patriarchs.
    • Historical Accuracy: For the original audience, such a detailed enumeration validated the historical reality of the conquest and confirmed God's direct involvement in their nation's formation.

Joshua 12 11 Bonus section

The consistent listing of each "king, one" throughout Joshua 12 highlights the concept of divine herem or utter devotion to the Lord, by destroying those marked for judgment. This acted as a polemic against the regional pagan belief systems; it wasn't simply Israel's military might but God actively fighting for His people. This complete vanquishing of earthly rulers also foreshadows the ultimate spiritual victory that Christ achieved over all principalities and powers, leading them captive in triumph (Col 2:15). The "rest" granted to Israel through this conquest (Josh 21:44-45) finds its deeper spiritual reality in the Sabbath-rest and peace available through Christ, a promise still awaiting its full consummation (Heb 4).

Joshua 12 11 Commentary

Joshua 12:11, situated within a catalog of vanquished kings, may appear as a simple list but profoundly underscores the divine orchestrations of the Canaanite conquest. The specific naming of the kings of Jarmuth and Lachish, both formidable Amorite city-states deeply implicated in the resistance against Israel, solidifies the narrative of God's overcoming power. Their individual defeat signifies not just military victory but a theological triumph: the God of Israel has overthrown the false gods worshipped in these territories. This serves as irrefutable evidence that Yahweh alone is supreme, capable of fulfilling His covenant promises and executing judgment. The meticulous count emphasizes the completeness of this divine task, reminding Israel of their inheritance and responsibility to live as a holy nation in the land granted by a faithful God. It points to a broader truth: any power or authority set against the will of God will ultimately fall.