Joshua 12 17

Joshua 12:17 kjv

The king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one;

Joshua 12:17 nkjv

the king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one;

Joshua 12:17 niv

the king of Tappuah ? one the king of Hepher ? one

Joshua 12:17 esv

the king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one;

Joshua 12:17 nlt

The king of Tappuah
The king of Hepher

Joshua 12 verses

Joshua 12 17 Meaning

Joshua 12:17 is a declarative statement continuing the detailed list of conquered Canaanite kings and their city-states by the Israelites under Joshua's leadership. It specifically records the defeat of the king of Tappuah and the king of Hepher, each counted as "one" individual victory. This verse contributes to the chapter's purpose of summarizing the extensive and successful conquest of Canaan, demonstrating the fulfillment of God's covenant promises to Israel.

Joshua 12 17 Context

Joshua chapter 12 serves as a pivotal summary following the major military campaigns of the conquest of Canaan. It meticulously catalogs all the kings defeated by the Israelites, both those east of the Jordan under Moses' leadership (verses 1-6) and those west of the Jordan under Joshua's command (verses 7-24). This chapter formally concludes the military phase of the conquest narrative in the Book of Joshua. Historically, the defeated kings were rulers of small, independent city-states across Canaan. The act of cataloging them not only emphasizes the completeness of the victory but also asserts God's ultimate sovereignty over these local deities and rulers, serving as a powerful polemic against the polytheistic beliefs of the surrounding nations. Each entry, like that of Tappuah and Hepher, underscores God's faithfulness in delivering every stronghold and ruler into Israel's hands, precisely as He promised to Moses and Joshua.

Joshua 12 17 Word analysis

• The king (מֶלֶךְ, melekh): Signifies a ruler or sovereign authority over a specific territory or city-state. In this context, it highlights the subjugation of the local political and military power structures of Canaan. The systematic defeat of "the king" of each region indicates a complete dismantling of the existing leadership.
• of Tappuah (תַּפּוּחַ, Tappuah): Likely meaning "apple" or "apple tree." This identifies one of the specific city-states in Canaan that fell to the Israelites. Tappuah is mentioned again in Josh 16:8 and 17:8 as a border town between Ephraim and Manasseh, locating it in the central highlands and highlighting its geographical significance within the conquered territory.
• one (אֶחָד, eḥāḏ): A numerical quantifier, "one," used repetitively throughout the chapter. Its significance lies in emphasizing the precise and itemized nature of the conquest. It underlines that each king and their dominion constituted a distinct victory. This seemingly simple counting reinforces the meticulous fulfillment of divine judgment and the comprehensive scope of God's action. It shows the detailed and systematic way God operated, delivering victory by victory.
• the king of Hepher (חֵפֶר, Chefer): Identifies another distinct city-state king conquered by Israel. Hepher is also connected to a clan within Manasseh (Num 26:32) and later becomes part of one of Solomon's administrative districts (1 Kgs 4:10). Its inclusion underscores the vastness of the land claimed and the thoroughness of the dispossession.
• one (אֶחָד, eḥāḏ): See "one" above. The repetition accentuates the deliberate, king-by-king triumph.

• Words-group Analysis: "The king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one;" The precise, repetitive structure with "one" following each defeated king underscores the comprehensive and systematic nature of Israel's conquest under God's power. It functions as a meticulous inventory, not merely of generic triumph, but of individual, specific victories. This detailed enumeration reinforces the veracity and completeness of God’s fulfillment of His covenant promises to dispossess the inhabitants of Canaan and grant the land to Israel. The distinct identification of each king's defeat highlights the dismantling of every significant stronghold, attesting to Yahweh's unfailing might and justice against the powerful rulers of the land.

Joshua 12 17 Bonus section

• The structured listing of conquered kings in Joshua 12, including verse 17, is characteristic of ancient Near Eastern conquest narratives, where victorious powers would document their subjugation of enemies. This stylistic choice adds authenticity and credibility to the biblical account, framing it as a divine triumphal list.
• The chapter's final tally of thirty-one kings emphasizes the scale of the undertaking and the vast extent of God's deliverance and Israel's inherited territory. These were not small victories, but the systemic defeat of entrenched leadership across the land.
• The named cities, even those less famous than Jericho or Ai, attest to the pervasive nature of the conquest; it wasn't limited to a few major centers but impacted numerous local power structures. This ensured the comprehensive disinheritance of the previous occupants, laying the groundwork for Israel's settlement in the land.

Joshua 12 17 Commentary

Joshua 12:17, though appearing as a simple ledger entry, is profoundly significant within the biblical narrative of conquest. It encapsulates the outcome of divinely orchestrated warfare, serving as an enduring record of God's faithfulness and power. The verse contributes to the concluding summary of chapter 12, marking the successful completion of the primary military campaigns against the formidable Canaanite city-states. This meticulous listing, from Tappuah to Hepher, reveals not Israel's own strength but Yahweh's precise hand in judgment against wicked nations and His meticulous fulfillment of His covenant with Israel. It silently declares the superiority of the God of Israel over any regional deities or kings. The very mundane nature of the listing ironically highlights the extraordinary, systematic dismantling of a entrenched pagan society, demonstrating that every 'king' and 'stronghold' fell before God's decree.