Joshua 13 10

Joshua 13:10 kjv

And all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, unto the border of the children of Ammon;

Joshua 13:10 nkjv

all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon, as far as the border of the children of Ammon;

Joshua 13:10 niv

and all the towns of Sihon king of the Amorites, who ruled in Heshbon, out to the border of the Ammonites.

Joshua 13:10 esv

and all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon, as far as the boundary of the Ammonites;

Joshua 13:10 nlt

It also included all the towns of King Sihon of the Amorites, who had reigned in Heshbon, and extended as far as the borders of Ammon.

Joshua 13 verses

Joshua 13 10 Meaning

Joshua 13:10 precisely describes a specific territory already conquered and allotted to the Transjordanian tribes. It refers to the entire kingdom of Sihon, the king of the Amorites, who reigned from his capital city, Heshbon. The boundary of this acquired land is further defined as extending to the frontier of the Ammonites. This verse establishes a portion of Israel's inheritance as detailed in God's covenant with them.

Joshua 13 10 Context

Joshua chapter 13 transitions from the narratives of conquest to the detailed accounts of land distribution. At the beginning of this chapter, Joshua is described as "old and advanced in years," and a large amount of land remains to be conquered. However, before describing the land yet to be taken, the chapter meticulously details the territories already secured and allotted, particularly those east of the Jordan River. Joshua 13:10 specifically addresses a part of this previously conquered land.

Historically, this refers to the conquest under Moses, before Israel crossed the Jordan River into Canaan proper (Num 21:21-35; Deut 2:26-37). Sihon, the Amorite king of Heshbon, denied Israel passage, leading to a decisive battle where Israel utterly defeated him and took possession of his entire kingdom. This land was subsequently assigned by Moses to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh (Num 32:33; Deut 3:12-17). Joshua 13:10, therefore, is not a record of a new conquest but a vital documentation of the specific, divinely allocated boundaries of an established possession, affirming the continuity of God's covenant promises and His faithfulness through successive leaders.

Joshua 13 10 Word analysis

• and all the cities of Sihon: The Hebrew phrase is וְכָל עָרֵי סִיחוֹן (w'ḵol 'areh Sichon). "All" (כָּל, kol) signifies the complete and absolute conquest of Sihon's kingdom. It emphasizes that every settlement under his dominion became Israel's possession, not just the capital. This implies comprehensive victory and total transfer of ownership.
• Sihon: (סִיחוֹן, Sichon). The proper name of an Amorite king. His confrontation with Israel, refusal to grant passage, and subsequent decisive defeat by God's hand (Num 21:21-35; Deut 2:30-31) marked a significant milestone in Israel's journey to the Promised Land. His fall was remembered as a demonstration of God's power and faithfulness.
• king of the Amorites: (מֶלֶךְ הָאֱמֹרִי, melekh ha'Emori). "Amorites" (הָאֱמֹרִי, ha'Emori) identifies a prominent Semitic group widely spread throughout Canaan. Their pervasive wickedness and idolatry were cited by God as the justification for their expulsion from the land (Gen 15:16; Lev 18:24-28). God's defeat of the Amorites, described as physically formidable (Amos 2:9), showcased His divine might in preparing the land for Israel.
• who reigned in Heshbon: (אֲשֶׁר מָלַךְ בְּחֶשְׁבּוֹן, 'asher malakh b'Ḥeshbôn). "Heshbon" (חֶשְׁבּוֹן, Ḥeshbôn) was a strategically vital and fortified city located on the Transjordan plateau. It served as the capital of Sihon's kingdom. To "reign in Heshbon" implies his undisputed authority over a significant territory, making its capture by Israel a conclusive defeat of his realm.
• as far as the border of the Ammonites: (עַד גְּבוּל בְּנֵי עַמּוֹן, 'ad g'vul b'nei Ammon). This phrase establishes the eastern limit of the newly acquired territory. The "Ammonites" (בְּנֵי עַמּוֹן, b'nei Ammon), descendants of Lot, held a divinely protected status, and Israel was explicitly forbidden from seizing their land (Deut 2:19). This detail highlights God's sovereignty not only over Israel's inheritance but also over the boundaries of other nations, demonstrating the precision and order of His dealings.

• "all the cities of Sihon...as far as the border of the Ammonites": This collective phrase defines the precise geographical and political extent of the territory. It meticulously outlines the full scope of what was conquered and transferred, vital for a detailed legal and administrative document concerning land inheritance. This detailed mapping undergirds the biblical emphasis on the exact fulfillment of God's land promises.
• "Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon": This grouping provides the specific historical and ethnic identity of the former ruler and his seat of power. It grounds the narrative in concrete reality, testifying to a tangible enemy, a historical battle, and a real, observable change in political authority, all attributable to divine intervention.

Joshua 13 10 Bonus section

The inclusion of detailed territorial listings in Joshua 13, like this verse, highlights the ancient Near Eastern treaty and land-grant documents, demonstrating the divine and authoritative nature of the land distribution. Such precision was crucial for internal tribal identity, managing resources, and resolving future border disputes, affirming that Israel's claims were legally established by divine decree. The repeated emphasis on the "Ammonite border" also hints at the historical tension and disputes that would arise over these frontiers later in Israel's history (e.g., Judg 11). Moreover, the fact that this specific territory was conquered under Moses (Josh 13:8) links the generation of the Exodus to the generation of the conquest, affirming God's continuous leadership and faithfulness across time and through different human agents. This continuity reinforces the unity of God's redemptive plan for His people.

Joshua 13 10 Commentary

Joshua 13:10 serves as a crucial territorial marker within the broader context of Israel's land allocation. It meticulously describes the kingdom of Sihon, the Amorite ruler whose defeat by Moses had secured a significant portion of the promised inheritance east of the Jordan. This verse affirms the complete dominion Israel exercised over all of Sihon's cities and territory, extending precisely to the boundary of the Ammonites. The specificity in defining this border is essential, reflecting God's order and justice: He grants Israel its inheritance while also establishing and respecting the boundaries of other nations He ordained. This concise verse therefore underscores the fulfillment of divine promise, the definitive nature of God's judgment against wicked nations like the Amorites, and the precision with which God outlines Israel's covenant possession. It is not just a geographical description, but a theological declaration of God's sovereign control over land, nations, and their respective destinies.