Joshua 12 12

Joshua 12:12 kjv

The king of Eglon, one; the king of Gezer, one;

Joshua 12:12 nkjv

the king of Eglon, one; the king of Gezer, one;

Joshua 12:12 niv

the king of Eglon ? one the king of Gezer ? one

Joshua 12:12 esv

the king of Eglon, one; the king of Gezer, one;

Joshua 12:12 nlt

The king of Eglon
The king of Gezer

Joshua 12 verses

Joshua 12 12 Meaning

Joshua 12:12 tersely records the defeat and disposal of "the king of Gezer, one; the king of Debir, one." This verse is part of a comprehensive list found in Joshua chapter 12, which serves as a definitive summary of the Israelite conquest of Canaan under Joshua. It signifies the completed and total overthrow of the established leadership and power structures of these specific Canaanite city-states by God's command and by His power working through Israel. The repetition of "one" after each city underscores the completeness and singularity of each victory, indicating that no ruler from these cities remained unchallenged or unconquered. It stands as a powerful testament to the fulfillment of God's covenant promises to give Israel the land.

Joshua 12 12 Context

Joshua 12:12 is embedded within a significant chapter that functions as a monumental register of the conquered Canaanite kings. The first half of the chapter (vv. 1-6) details the kings defeated by Moses east of the Jordan River. The second and larger half (vv. 7-24) lists the thirty-one kings defeated by Joshua and the Israelites west of the Jordan, within the Promised Land itself. This entire chapter serves as a theological and historical summary of the fulfillment of God's promise to grant Israel the land of Canaan. It underlines the comprehensiveness and success of the initial conquest under Joshua's leadership, emphasizing that divine power secured every victory. It's a formal declaration of ownership and triumph, demonstrating God's faithfulness and power to subdue nations that stood in Israel's way, regardless of their fortified cities or powerful kings.

Joshua 12 12 Word analysis

• the king (Hebrew: מֶלֶךְ, melek):

  • Word Level: Refers to the sovereign ruler of a city-state. In ancient Canaan, these kings were not just political leaders but often held religious authority, sometimes seen as divine representatives or embodiments of their city's patron deity.
  • Significance: The systematic listing of kings underscores that the conquest was not merely about taking land or buildings, but about overthrowing the entire pagan sociopolitical and religious structure of Canaan. Defeating the king meant subjugating the entire city-state he ruled, dislodging its religious cult, and ending its independent power. It highlights the decisive end to Canaanite idolatrous rule.

• Gezer (Hebrew: גָּזֶר, Gazer):

  • Word Level: A major Canaanite city located in the Shephelah, a strategically vital area at the crossroads of major international trade routes (the Via Maris) and routes connecting the coast to Jerusalem. It was a well-fortified city, demonstrated by extensive archaeological findings including an elaborate water system and massive fortifications.
  • Significance: Its conquest represents the taking of a pivotal strategic stronghold, symbolizing control over key communication and travel arteries. Its defeat signifies the breaking of the backbone of Canaanite resistance in a critical geographical zone. While the text here implies full conquest, later accounts (Judg 1:29) indicate Gezer was not entirely cleared of Canaanites until Pharaoh gave it to Solomon (1 Kgs 9:16), suggesting ongoing struggle or varying degrees of occupation. The Joshua account, however, focuses on the initial, decisive military overthrow of the ruling authority.

• one (Hebrew: אֶחָד, eḥad):

  • Word Level: A numerical adjective meaning "one," "single," "united."
  • Significance: The repeated "one" next to each king signifies the decisive, complete, and individual conquest of each distinct kingdom. It implies that for each listed city, its king and the power he represented were utterly subdued—"one" ruler was overcome, decisively, fully. It conveys totality for that specific entity, reinforcing the thoroughness of God's judgment and the comprehensiveness of Israel's victory. It doesn't mean only one individual, but that one complete rulership was dealt with.

• Debir (Hebrew: דְּבִיר, Devir):

  • Word Level: Also known as Kiriath-sepher (Judg 1:11), meaning "city of books" or "city of scribes." It was a city in the Judean hill country, known for its strategic importance and likely a center of Canaanite learning or religious practice. Caleb promised his daughter Achsah to the one who would conquer Kiriath-sepher, which Othniel eventually accomplished (Josh 15:15-19; Judg 1:11-15).
  • Significance: Its conquest not only added territory but signified a victory over a cultural and potentially intellectual/religious center of Canaanite society. Overthrowing the "city of books" could be seen symbolically as conquering the very heart of Canaanite wisdom and idolatrous knowledge, much like defeating a significant military post. It was another significant stronghold whose king's defeat represented a crucial step in subduing the land.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "the king of [City], one": This repeated phrase, consistently listing individual city-state kings followed by "one," is a literary device to underscore the systematic and complete nature of the conquest. It highlights God's power in methodically dismantling each component of Canaanite power. This litany of victories serves as undeniable proof of God's covenant faithfulness and His might. It acts as a powerful polemic against any notion of Canaanite deities or rulers holding power against YHWH, demonstrating that human authority is entirely subordinate to divine decree.

Joshua 12 12 Bonus section

The seemingly repetitive list of conquered kings in Joshua 12, including the entries for Gezer and Debir, is crucial not merely as a historical record, but as a theological statement. The repetitive structure and emphasis on "one" king defeated per city reinforce the methodical and comprehensive nature of God's intervention. This list implicitly serves as a divine counter-narrative to common ancient Near Eastern victory stelae, which kings would erect to glorify their own prowess and gods. Here, the list magnifies Yahweh's power and faithfulness, not Joshua's. The inclusion of Debir ("city of books") specifically underscores that not only were military strongholds conquered, but also potential centers of pagan knowledge, culture, and influence. The total number of 31 kings conquered by Joshua, along with the two east of Jordan by Moses, amounts to a formidable force—a number indicative of God's comprehensive delivery of the land against substantial opposition.

Joshua 12 12 Commentary

Joshua 12:12, though a concise line in a long list, is packed with theological meaning. It encapsulates God's absolute faithfulness to His covenant promises made to Abraham regarding the land (Gen 12, 15) and to Moses regarding the extermination of the Canaanites (Deut 7). The conquest of kings like those of Gezer and Debir wasn't just a military campaign; it was a divine act of judgment against the profound wickedness and idolatry of the Canaanite nations, whose iniquity had reached its full measure (Gen 15:16). The detailed naming of kings and cities emphasizes the tangibility and completeness of this fulfillment. "One" signifies the totality of each victory, representing the defeat of that specific kingdom as a unified entity. In a broader sense, this historical conquest prefigures the spiritual battles of believers, where the Lord enables victory over spiritual strongholds (Eph 6:12; 2 Cor 10:4-5), and ultimately, Christ's decisive triumph over all enemies (1 Cor 15:24-25), just as Joshua's victories ensured the inheritance for Israel.