Joshua 12 20

Joshua 12:20 kjv

The king of Shimronmeron, one; the king of Achshaph, one;

Joshua 12:20 nkjv

the king of Shimron Meron, one; the king of Achshaph, one;

Joshua 12:20 niv

the king of Shimron Meron ? one the king of Akshaph ? one

Joshua 12:20 esv

the king of Shimron-meron, one; the king of Achshaph, one;

Joshua 12:20 nlt

The king of Shimron-meron
The king of Acshaph

Joshua 12 verses

Joshua 12 20 Meaning

Joshua 12:20 lists two more Canaanite city-states whose kings were decisively defeated by the Israelite army under Joshua: "the king of Shimron-Meron, one; the king of Achshaph, one;". This verse functions as an itemized detail within the comprehensive catalog of thirty-one kings vanquished during the conquest of Canaan, serving as a testament to God's fulfilled promises and the comprehensive nature of Israel's victories.

Joshua 12 20 Context

Joshua chapter 12 serves as a summary document, providing a conclusive roster of the kings and city-states that Israel conquered, first under Moses on the east side of the Jordan (vv. 1-6), and then under Joshua on the west side (vv. 7-24). Verse 20 specifically falls within the latter list, detailing two more of the numerous independent city-kingdoms subdued by Joshua. This catalog emphasizes the extent and comprehensiveness of the divine victories.

Historically, Canaan was not a unified empire but a collection of autonomous city-states, each ruled by its own "king" (melek) who commanded the city and its immediate surrounding territory. These cities were often fortified and capable of assembling military forces, sometimes forming alliances as seen in Joshua 11. The listing of each king individually underscores that Israel, through God's power, systematically dismantled each of these local centers of power, fulfilling the ancient promises to Abraham (Gen 15) and the command given to Moses (Deut 7:1-2). The enumeration reaffirms the totality of God's covenant faithfulness and Israel's obedience in carrying out the divinely mandated conquest, demonstrating that no human stronghold could withstand God's might.

Joshua 12 20 Word Analysis

• the king (הַמֶּלֶךְ, ha-melek):

  • Ha- is the definite article, "the," specifying a particular, identifiable ruler.
  • Melek (מֶלֶךְ) denotes a monarch or sovereign ruler. In the ancient Near East, especially in Canaan, a "king" typically governed a city-state (a fortified city and its adjacent lands), not an extensive empire.
  • Significance: Each "king" represented an independent pagan power structure that stood in opposition to God's plan for Israel to possess the land. The consistent pattern of "the king... one" emphasizes that each individual, formidable obstacle was overcome by God's power.

• of Shimron-Meron (שִׁמְרוֹן מְרוֹן, Shimron Meron):

  • Shimron (שִׁמְרוֹן): A significant Canaanite city located southwest of the Sea of Galilee, in the Jezreel Valley, now identified with Tel Shimron. It was part of the large northern coalition led by Jabin of Hazor against Israel (Josh 11:1-5).
  • Meron (מְרוֹן): Sometimes appears without 'Shimron,' sometimes with it as a dual name (like a district name or modifier for Shimron). The exact distinction is debated by scholars; it might refer to an allied settlement or a specific feature associated with Shimron.
  • Significance: Its inclusion confirms the defeat of key northern strongholds, demonstrating Israel's military success across broad geographical regions and against formidable alliances.

• one (אֶחָד, echad):

  • The masculine numeral meaning "one."
  • Significance: Repeated after each king's name in this list (vv. 9-24). It serves to meticulously count each vanquished king, ensuring precision in the tally of defeated foes. This exactitude underscores the complete and thorough nature of the conquest – no significant royal authority was left standing. It also highlights that these were distinct, individually significant victories, not merely collective achievements.

• the king of Achshaph (אַכְשָׁף, Achshaph):

  • Achshaph (אַכְשָׁף): Another prominent Canaanite city located in the northern region, typically identified with Tel Kisan near the modern city of Akko. It too was a part of the northern coalition (Josh 11:1, 5).
  • Significance: Like Shimron-Meron, its defeat underscores the extent of Israel's victory over critical strongholds in the north. Its mention, alongside others from the same coalition, confirms the comprehensive breakup of organized Canaanite resistance.

• "the king of X, one; the king of Y, one;" (words-group):

  • This repeated literary structure ("king of X, one") found throughout Joshua 12:9-24 is a concise and formulaic way to catalog each distinct victory.
  • Significance: It serves as a declarative, factual record, testifying to the exhaustive and systematic nature of the conquest. It functions like a ledger of God's fulfilled promises, tallying each independent pagan entity brought under divine judgment, leaving no room for doubt about the extent of the land delivered into Israel's hands. The simplicity of the declaration belies the immense divine power and military effort involved.

Joshua 12 20 Bonus Section

• The total number of kings defeated in Canaan, specified as thirty-one by the end of Joshua 12:24, emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the conquest. This detailed enumeration lends historical verisimilitude and signifies a divinely accomplished task that was complete and thorough.
• The cities listed in Joshua 12 were not always permanently destroyed but rather their independent, hostile rule was broken. Some were later inhabited by Israelite tribes, while others remained contested territories for a period (e.g., in the book of Judges). Joshua 12 primarily highlights the breaking of their political and military power as part of the initial land inheritance.
• The structured listing suggests that the recording of these conquests was important for historical memory, legal claim to the land, and theological instruction – showing future generations that Yahweh indeed fought for His people and fulfilled His word.

Joshua 12 20 Commentary

Joshua 12:20, nestled within a detailed list, holds profound theological significance despite its concise nature. It's not about the individual historical impact of Shimron-Meron or Achshaph beyond their role as Canaanite city-states. Instead, the verse contributes to the overarching purpose of Joshua 12: to demonstrate the faithful fulfillment of God's covenant promises to Israel concerning the land. Each "one" serves as an emphatic affirmation that every significant bastion of pagan power was brought low by divine decree and power working through Joshua. This methodical enumeration highlights God's sovereignty over earthly kings and nations, proving that no human opposition can ultimately thwart His plan. The conquest, though conducted by human hands, was a divine operation, achieving a complete breaking of the Canaanite political and religious structures that occupied the promised land.