Joshua 12 2

Joshua 12:2 kjv

Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt in Heshbon, and ruled from Aroer, which is upon the bank of the river Arnon, and from the middle of the river, and from half Gilead, even unto the river Jabbok, which is the border of the children of Ammon;

Joshua 12:2 nkjv

One king was Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt in Heshbon and ruled half of Gilead, from Aroer, which is on the bank of the River Arnon, from the middle of that river, even as far as the River Jabbok, which is the border of the Ammonites,

Joshua 12:2 niv

Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon. He ruled from Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Gorge?from the middle of the gorge?to the Jabbok River, which is the border of the Ammonites. This included half of Gilead.

Joshua 12:2 esv

Sihon king of the Amorites who lived at Heshbon and ruled from Aroer, which is on the edge of the Valley of the Arnon, and from the middle of the valley as far as the river Jabbok, the boundary of the Ammonites, that is, half of Gilead,

Joshua 12:2 nlt

King Sihon of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon, was defeated. His kingdom included Aroer, on the edge of the Arnon Gorge, and extended from the middle of the Arnon Gorge to the Jabbok River, which serves as a border for the Ammonites. This territory included the southern half of the territory of Gilead.

Joshua 12 verses

Joshua 12 2 Meaning

This verse precisely details the conquered territory of King Sihon of the Amorites, specifically defining the geographical extent of his former dominion which Israel subsequently occupied. It enumerates key landmarks: Heshbon as his capital, Aroer as the southern extent on the Arnon's edge, encompassing the Arnon valley itself, and extending north to include half of Gilead as far as the Jabbok River. This precise delineation highlights God's faithfulness in granting specific, promised land to Israel through Moses' victory on the Transjordan plateau before the main conquest of Canaan under Joshua.

Joshua 12 2 Context

Joshua chapter 12 serves as a concluding summary of the preceding eleven chapters, providing a comprehensive list of all the kings whom the Israelites, led first by Moses and then by Joshua, defeated to possess the promised land. Verse 2 specifically itemizes the territory of Sihon, an Amorite king defeated by Moses on the east side of the Jordan, along with Og king of Bashan, whose details follow in verse 4. This enumeration underscores the total nature of God's victory and the full extent of the land delivered to Israel.

Historically, the Amorites were a powerful Semitic people who had established numerous city-states and kingdoms throughout the Near East, including significant presence in Canaan and Transjordan before Israel's arrival. Sihon's kingdom was strategically vital, controlling major trade routes. His defeat by Israel, recounted in Numbers 21 and Deuteronomy 2-3, was a pivotal moment before entering Canaan. It not only demonstrated God's power over seemingly formidable enemies but also provided the first settled territory for the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh, thus fulfilling part of God's covenant promises to Abraham, even before crossing the Jordan. The meticulous listing of boundaries reflects the deep importance of land and territorial claims in ancient Near Eastern culture and for the fulfillment of Yahweh's promises to His people.

Joshua 12 2 Word analysis

• Sihon: (Hebrew: סִיחוֹן, Sîḥōn). The name of the Amorite king whose kingdom was in Transjordan. His refusal to allow Israel passage and subsequent defeat marked a major turning point in Israel's wilderness journey, showcasing God's power. His realm served as the first substantial territory Israel acquired.
• king of the Amorites: The Amorites (Hebrew: אֱמֹרִי, 'Ĕmōrî) were a prominent ethnic group in Canaan, noted for their military prowess. God had marked the Amorites for judgment (Gen 15:16). Sihon's defeat was a direct fulfillment of divine prophecy and a testament to Yahweh's superiority over their gods and might.
• who lived in Heshbon: Heshbon (Hebrew: חֶשְׁבּוֹן, Ḥešbôn) was the capital city of Sihon's kingdom, a well-fortified and strategically important location on the Transjordanian plateau. Its capture represented the collapse of Sihon's power.
• and ruled from Aroer: Aroer (Hebrew: עֲרוֹעֵר, ‘Ărō‘êr) refers to a town situated on the north bank of the Arnon River. Its mention emphasizes Sihon's effective control of the region, marking the southern border of his influence along the significant Arnon Valley.
• which is on the edge of the Valley of the Arnon: The Arnon (Hebrew: נַחַל אַרְנוֹן, Naḥal 'Arnōn) is a deep, dramatic gorge with a river flowing through it, acting as a natural and historically recognized boundary, especially between Moab and the Amorites (later Israel). "On the edge" (ʻal śephath) indicates the town's proximity to this defining geographical feature, signifying its strategic position overlooking the border.
• both the middle of the valley: This phrase emphasizes that Israel's conquest of Sihon's territory included the very depths of the Arnon valley itself, not just its peripheries. It signifies full control over this vital geographical feature, asserting the completeness of the victory.
• and half of Gilead: Gilead (Hebrew: הַגִּלְעָד, hag-Gil‘ād) is a fertile and desirable region extending north from the Arnon. Sihon's domain encompassed its southern portion. The "half" denotes a division, implying that the rest of Gilead (to the north) belonged to Og, the other defeated Transjordanian king, or remained distinct territory until future conquest.
• as far as the river Jabbok: The Jabbok (Hebrew: נַחַל יַבֹּק, Naḥal Yabbōq) is another significant river that flows into the Jordan, further north than the Arnon. It marked the northern boundary of Sihon's territory, providing a precise and well-known landmark to define the northern extent of his defeated kingdom.

Words-group Analysis

• Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon: This initial cluster identifies the adversary, his identity (king), his ethnicity (Amorite), and his capital city. It immediately establishes the context of the conquest—a powerful regional ruler from a pre-eminent Canaanite group. The emphasis on "Heshbon" as his residence highlights his sovereignty over that strategic hub.
• ruled from Aroer, which is on the edge of the Valley of the Arnon: This segment meticulously defines the southern limit and a key strategic point of Sihon's rule. Aroer's position "on the edge" of the Arnon underscores the Arnon's significance as a natural defensive frontier. This phrase communicates a deep knowledge of the geographical landscape.
• both the middle of the valley and half of Gilead, as far as the river Jabbok: This final part specifies the east-west extent (implied by controlling the valley) and the north-south sweep of Sihon's former kingdom, extending into Gilead and up to the Jabbok. These precise geographical markers emphasize the complete, well-defined nature of the land inherited by Israel, validating God's faithfulness in granting clearly demarcated territory.

Joshua 12 2 Bonus section

The precision of geographical detail in this verse is remarkable for an ancient text. The mentioning of specific wadis like Arnon and Jabbok, and cities like Heshbon and Aroer, aligns well with historical and archaeological data, affirming the Bible's accuracy regarding these ancient locations. The Arnon Gorge, for instance, remains a dramatic geographical feature that even today serves as a significant natural barrier. The enumeration of these details serves a crucial purpose: it removes any ambiguity regarding the land promised by God and the land received by Israel, cementing the divine land grant as a concrete, physical reality, not a vague promise. This thoroughness reinforces the theological claim of Yahweh as the sovereign Lord of creation and history, who determines the boundaries of nations (Deut 32:8).

Joshua 12 2 Commentary

Joshua 12:2 serves as a vital historical record, chronicling the first major territorial conquest made by Israel before entering Canaan proper. It's not merely a list of names and places; it's a profound statement about divine fulfillment of promise and power. By precisely delineating the boundaries of Sihon's kingdom—from Heshbon, along the Arnon Valley, through southern Gilead, up to the Jabbok—the text validates the inheritance given by Moses to the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh (Num 32; Deut 3).

The defeat of Sihon, a formidable Amorite king who had conquered other regional powers (Num 21:26), demonstrated God's direct intervention and might. His defeat was a sign to both Israel and the remaining Canaanite nations that Yahweh was actively fighting for His people and no earthly king or military power could thwart His will. This detailed geographical description further assures the reader of the literal, tangible reality of God's covenant promises concerning the land (Gen 15:18-21; Exod 23:31). It underscores the faithfulness of God who systematically brought His people into possession of specific, clearly defined territories.

This record, placed as a summary at the end of the first section of Joshua, provides foundational historical context for the subsequent chapters, emphasizing that the ongoing conquests in Canaan were a continuation of God's plan already set in motion on the Transjordan.