Joshua 12 23

Joshua 12:23 kjv

The king of Dor in the coast of Dor, one; the king of the nations of Gilgal, one;

Joshua 12:23 nkjv

the king of Dor in the heights of Dor, one; the king of the people of Gilgal, one;

Joshua 12:23 niv

the king of Dor (in Naphoth Dor) ? one the king of Goyim in Gilgal ? one

Joshua 12:23 esv

the king of Dor in Naphath-dor, one; the king of Goiim in Galilee, one;

Joshua 12:23 nlt

The king of Dor in the town of Naphoth-dor
The king of Goyim in Gilgal

Joshua 12 verses

Joshua 12 23 Meaning

Joshua 12:23 lists two more kings defeated by Joshua and the Israelites during their conquest of Canaan: the king of Dor and the king of Goiim in Gilgal. This verse is part of a comprehensive roster detailing the numerous rulers subdued, signifying the systematic fulfillment of God's covenant promise to deliver the land to Israel and illustrating His sovereign power over all earthly kingdoms.

Joshua 12 23 Context

Joshua chapter 12 serves as a summary and conclusion to the accounts of the Israelite conquest of Canaan. It provides a formal list of the kings and territories that God enabled Moses to conquer on the east side of the Jordan (verses 1-6) and, more extensively, those defeated by Joshua on the west side (verses 7-24). This systematic catalog reinforces the scale of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Abraham and later to Israel regarding the land. Joshua 12:23 specifically contributes to this comprehensive inventory, enumerating the thirty-first and thirty-second (implicitly, depending on counting) kings from a total of thirty-one kings defeated west of the Jordan by Joshua. The immediate context of this verse is its placement within the detailed list (verses 9-24) which systematically names the vanquished Canaanite city-states and their rulers, underscoring the thoroughness and divine orchestration of the conquest and establishing Israel's claim to the land.

Joshua 12 23 Word analysis

• the king: (Hebrew: מֶלֶךְ, melech) Signifies a sovereign ruler of a city-state, a common political entity in ancient Canaan. The defeat of these kings indicates the dismantling of established regional power structures in preparation for Israelite settlement. Their overthrow was not just a military victory but a theological declaration of Yahweh's supreme authority over all earthly dominion.

• of Dor: (Hebrew: דּוֹר, Dor) An ancient, significant Canaanite port city located on the Mediterranean coast, south of Mount Carmel. Dor was strategically important for trade and defense, and its conquest highlights the depth and reach of the Israelite campaign, extending to vital coastal areas. Although defeated by Joshua, Dor would later prove challenging for the tribe of Manasseh to fully possess (Josh 17:11; Jdg 1:27), indicating the initial military conquest broke the power of the king, but complete assimilation took more time.

• one: (Hebrew: אֶחָד, echad) A simple numeral indicating a single entity, consistently appended after each defeated king. Its repetition throughout the list emphasizes the meticulous and methodical nature of the conquest, meticulously counting each triumph as God delivered on His promise.

• the king: Again, highlighting a specific royal leader.

• of Goiim: (Hebrew: גּוֹיִם, goyim) This is the plural form of the Hebrew word goy, which commonly means "nation" or "peoples," often referring to non-Israelite nations or Gentiles. The phrase "king of Goiim" is somewhat unusual as a specific title. Scholars interpret it in various ways: (1) It could refer to a king whose authority extended over a coalition of diverse "nations" or peoples rather than a single defined city-state. (2) "Goiim" might function here as the name of a specific place or region itself, perhaps a designation for an area inhabited by various non-Canaanite groups or one with a distinctly international character. This unusual title underscores God's authority over not just the primary Canaanite inhabitants but any foreign entity within the land.

• in Gilgal: (Hebrew: בְּגִלְגָּל, b'Gilgal) While the most famous Gilgal is the Israelite camp near Jericho, this "Gilgal" is generally understood to be a different location, given that the main Gilgal became an Israelite spiritual center. This "Gilgal" likely refers to a geographical location associated with the "Goiim" king's domain, possibly one in the north, perhaps near Dor or in the broader Manasseh territory (there are other mentions of Gilgal-like place names elsewhere in the Bible, e.g., Deut 11:30 referring to Gilgal opposite Gilboa near modern Netanya, or one in Ephraim, 2 Kgs 2:1, 4:38). Its presence in the list signifies that this region and its king, however identified, were also brought under Israelite subjugation through divine power.

• "the king of Dor, one; the king of Goiim in Gilgal, one;": This full clause represents the ongoing enumeration of specific, powerful enemies defeated by God's hand through Joshua. It signifies the comprehensive nature of the conquest. The listing of "Dor," a strategically crucial coastal city, alongside the more ambiguous "Goiim in Gilgal," highlights the divine victory over varied types of established human power, whether well-defined city-states or more diffuse alliances of "nations" inhabiting parts of the land. This precision in listing further solidifies the historical account of God fulfilling His promises.

Joshua 12 23 Bonus section

• The overall list in Joshua 12 sums up to thirty-one kings defeated west of the Jordan (when counting from verse 9). This systematic record emphasizes the thoroughness of God's work in dispossessing the inhabitants of Canaan, providing legal and historical validation for Israel's claim to the land.
• While these kings were defeated and their power broken, full Israelite possession and continuous peaceful occupation of every inch of territory often came much later, as reflected in the Book of Judges. This verse confirms the decisive military victories which broke the Canaanite power structure and established Israel's dominance, but the process of settling and fully occupying the land was a long-term endeavor dependent on continued obedience and faith.
• The naming of individual kings highlights God's particular attention to detail and His personal involvement in leading His people. He did not simply bring them into an empty land but actively went before them to conquer specific, named adversaries.

Joshua 12 23 Commentary

Joshua 12:23 is a specific line within a declarative register of triumph. It is not an action narrative but a concise postscript, affirming the scope of God’s decisive victories through Israel. The king of Dor represents the defeat of powerful, strategically located urban centers critical to Canaanite strength and trade, illustrating God's capacity to overcome formidable, long-established strongholds. The inclusion of the "king of Goiim in Gilgal" points to the subjugation of even less conventional or more ambiguous political entities, perhaps a confederation of diverse peoples or a distinct location. This demonstrates that God's authority extended over all inhabitants and forms of governance in the land, ensuring a comprehensive conquest as promised. The systematic enumeration in this chapter, culminating with this verse, underscores divine faithfulness and power, proving that no earthly kingdom, no matter how strong or obscure, can ultimately withstand God's plan for His people. Practically, it reminds believers that God’s promises are true and that He equips His people to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles and adversaries for the fulfillment of His divine purpose.