Joshua 12:18 kjv
The king of Aphek, one; the king of Lasharon, one;
Joshua 12:18 nkjv
the king of Aphek, one; the king of Lasharon, one;
Joshua 12:18 niv
the king of Aphek ? one the king of Lasharon ? one
Joshua 12:18 esv
the king of Aphek, one; the king of Lasharon, one;
Joshua 12:18 nlt
The king of Aphek
The king of Lasharon
Joshua 12 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference (Short Note) |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 1:8 | "See, I have set the land before you. Go in and take possession..." | God's command to possess |
| Josh 1:3 | "Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you," | God's promise of territory |
| Josh 11:23 | "So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lᴏʀᴅ had spoken..." | Fulfillment of land conquest |
| Num 34:1-12 | (Details the boundaries of the promised land) | Scope of promised land |
| Gen 15:18-21 | "To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt..." | Abrahamic land covenant |
| Deut 7:1-2 | "When the Lᴏʀᴅ your God brings you into the land...you shall devote them to complete destruction." | Divine command for conquest |
| Deut 9:5 | "Not because of your righteousness...but because of the wickedness of these nations..." | Reason for judgment |
| Ps 44:3 | "not by their own sword did they win the land...but by your right hand..." | God as the deliverer |
| Ex 14:14 | "The Lᴏʀᴅ will fight for you..." | God fights for His people |
| Josh 10:40 | "Joshua struck all the land...and he left none remaining, but devoted to destruction..." | Thoroughness of conquest |
| Judg 1:1 | "After the death of Joshua, the people of Israel inquired of the Lᴏʀᴅ..." | Need for continued conquest |
| Neh 9:24 | "So the people went in and took possession...You subdued before them the inhabitants..." | God's faithfulness recalled |
| Rom 8:37 | "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." | Spiritual victory in Christ |
| Eph 6:12 | "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities..." | Spiritual kings/powers |
| Col 2:15 | "He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame..." | Christ's triumph over evil powers |
| Ps 2:2 | "The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lᴏʀᴅ..." | Earthly rulers oppose God |
| Isa 9:7 | "Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end..." | Christ's eternal reign |
| Zech 9:10 | "His dominion shall be from sea to sea..." | Messiah's universal dominion |
| Rev 11:15 | "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ..." | Ultimate divine victory |
| Heb 4:8 | "For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on." | Joshua points to greater rest |
| Heb 11:30 | "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down..." | Faith in God's plan |
| Isa 2:4 | "Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore." | Future peace under God's rule |
Joshua 12 verses
Joshua 12 18 Meaning
Joshua chapter 12 verse 18 records the conquest of two more Canaanite kings by Israel under Joshua's leadership: the king of Aphek and the king of Lasharon. This verse is part of a comprehensive list in Joshua 12 detailing the kings east and west of the Jordan River whom the Lord delivered into the hand of Israel. It serves as a declarative statement of accomplished divine victory, demonstrating the thoroughness and fulfillment of God's promise to give the land of Canaan to His people. Each king listed, followed by "one," signifies a distinct and complete subjugation of a formerly sovereign ruler and their domain, leaving no enemy standing in those specified regions.
Joshua 12 18 Context
Joshua 12:18 is situated within the latter part of Joshua chapter 12, which functions as a concluding summary of the conquest narrative that began in chapter 1. Chapters 1-11 recount the battles and victories of Israel under Joshua. Chapter 12 provides an inventory, first listing the kings east of the Jordan (vv. 1-6) who were defeated by Moses, and then enumerating the kings west of the Jordan (vv. 7-24) who fell to Joshua's campaigns. This particular verse falls within the second list, contributing to the total of thirty-one kings vanquished. The historical context is the period of the Israelite conquest of Canaan, approximately the late Bronze Age (around 1400-1200 BC), a time of decentralized city-states across the land. The meticulous listing of defeated kings, including those from less prominent locations like Aphek and Lasharon, underscores the complete and extensive nature of God's fulfillment of His covenant promise to give the land to Israel. It serves as a profound affirmation to the original Israelite audience that their God, YHWH, had triumphed over all the powers and gods of Canaan. This specific detail in a long list emphasizes God's comprehensive judgment on these wicked nations and His faithful provision for Israel.
Joshua 12 18 Word analysis
- מֶלֶךְ (melekh): Transliterated as "melekh," meaning "king" or "ruler." This word denotes the highest civil authority within a city-state, encompassing political, military, and sometimes religious leadership. The focus on conquering "kings" rather than just cities highlights that Israel's victory was a fundamental dismantling of the existing socio-political structures and the subjugation of their rulers. It also implies a direct challenge to the authority and supposed protection offered by their patron deities.
- אֲפֵק (Aphek): Transliterated as "Aphek," this place name literally means "fortress" or "strength." There were several towns called Aphek in Canaan. The precise Aphek referred to here is generally understood to be one located in the Sharon Plain or adjacent regions, distinct from Aphek associated with Ebenezer (1 Sam 4:1) or other northern Apheks. Its inclusion shows the comprehensive nature of the conquest, extending to various strongholds across different parts of the land, demonstrating God's ability to conquer even well-fortified places.
- אֶחָ֕ד (echad): Transliterated as "echad," meaning "one." In this context, it emphasizes the singular, complete, and distinct defeat of each king listed. It reiterates the specific individual nature of their fall, as opposed to a general group defeat, reinforcing the methodical and thorough nature of the conquest carried out under God's direction.
- לַשָׁר֖וֹן (Lasharon): Transliterated as "Lasharon," meaning "to Sharon" or "of Sharon" (the prefixed "la-" typically indicates direction or belonging). Sharon refers to the fertile coastal plain stretching between Carmel and Joppa, known for its agricultural richness and strategic importance. While some interpretations suggest "Lasharon" refers to a city within the Sharon plain, others, based on the Septuagint and scholarly consensus, consider it to be "the king of Sharon" or "the king belonging to the Sharon region." Either way, its inclusion signifies Israel's victory extending into the vital, resource-rich heartlands of Canaan, which were important for sustenance and trade.
- Words-group Analysis:
- "the king of Aphek, one; the king of Lasharon, one.": This construction emphasizes the individual yet decisive nature of each conquest. It systematically accounts for the downfall of hostile leadership across the promised land. The repetition of "one" after each king underscores the specific termination of each independent rule. This structured enumeration highlights the completeness and irreversible nature of the divine judgment and the successful fulfillment of God's covenant with Israel. It also serves as a strong polemic, declaring the impotence of these kings and their false gods in the face of the conquering power of YHWH.
Joshua 12 18 Bonus section
The presence of multiple places named "Aphek" in the Bible (e.g., in Anti-Lebanon near Baalbek, or one associated with Ebenezer where the Ark was captured, 1 Sam 4:1) illustrates the commonality of the name "fortress." The "Aphek" in Josh 12:18 is most likely a different location, emphasizing that Joshua's conquests were geographically dispersed and not limited to one specific region of fortifications. Similarly, the "Sharon" in "Lasharon" points to one of the most productive agricultural regions of ancient Israel, making its conquest not just a territorial gain but an acquisition of vital resources, further cementing Israel's establishment in the land. This detailed enumeration underscores the comprehensiveness of God's deliverance and Israel's inherited blessing.
Joshua 12 18 Commentary
Joshua 12:18, though seemingly a simple entry in a long list, powerfully attests to the complete fulfillment of God's promises through the unwavering obedience of Joshua and Israel. The systematic cataloging of defeated kings from diverse regions like Aphek and Lasharon highlights the sheer scope and thoroughness of the conquest. It signifies that no fortified stronghold or strategically important fertile plain could withstand the Lord's hand. This exhaustive list served to reassure the original Israelite audience of God's faithfulness and absolute power, establishing their rightful claim to the land He had promised their forefathers. Ultimately, this detailed record is a testament to the fact that divine power and unwavering obedience overcome all earthly obstacles, leaving no challenge unresolved.