Joshua 9 1

Joshua 9:1 kjv

And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof;

Joshua 9:1 nkjv

And it came to pass when all the kings who were on this side of the Jordan, in the hills and in the lowland and in all the coasts of the Great Sea toward Lebanon? the Hittite, the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite?heard about it,

Joshua 9:1 niv

Now when all the kings west of the Jordan heard about these things?the kings in the hill country, in the western foothills, and along the entire coast of the Mediterranean Sea as far as Lebanon (the kings of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites)?

Joshua 9:1 esv

As soon as all the kings who were beyond the Jordan in the hill country and in the lowland all along the coast of the Great Sea toward Lebanon, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, heard of this,

Joshua 9:1 nlt

Now all the kings west of the Jordan River heard about what had happened. These were the kings of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, who lived in the hill country, in the western foothills, and along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea as far north as the Lebanon mountains.

Joshua 9 verses

Joshua 9 1 Meaning

Joshua 9:1 describes the collective reaction of the kings and peoples inhabiting the regions west of the Jordan River. Upon hearing of Israel's divine-backed victories, particularly at Jericho and Ai, they united their forces to oppose Joshua and the Israelite nation in a consolidated military effort.

Joshua 9 1 Context

Joshua 9:1 marks a crucial turning point following Israel's decisive victories at Jericho (Joshua 6) and Ai (Joshua 8). These initial conquests, executed with divine intervention, showcased God's power and Israel's emerging dominance, fulfilling His promise to give them the land. After the strategic ceremony of covenant renewal at Mount Ebal and Gerizim, where the Law was publicly read, the news of Israel's military might and covenant faithfulness reached the surrounding indigenous peoples. Up to this point, resistance had been localized to individual cities. However, the magnitude of Israel's recent successes spurred a shift in the local kings' strategy, prompting them to form a large, defensive alliance against what they perceived as a growing and formidable threat.

Historically and culturally, Canaan at this time was not a unified kingdom but a collection of independent city-states, each ruled by its own "king" (often a chieftain). These entities frequently engaged in inter-city conflicts. Yet, faced with an external, overwhelming force like Israel, driven by a powerful God, temporary alliances and confederacies were a logical, though desperate, measure for survival. The description of geographical areas – "hills, valleys, coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon" – indicates the comprehensive reach of this fear and the widespread nature of the new opposition to Israel's conquest.

Joshua 9 1 Word analysis

• "And it came to pass" (וַיְהִי, vayhi): A common Hebrew literary device indicating a continuation of the narrative, often preceding a significant new development. It suggests divine providence is guiding events.
• "when all the kings" (kol-hammalkim): Not global rulers, but the local chieftains or heads of the numerous independent city-states within Canaan. This emphasizes the widespread recognition of the threat posed by Israel.
• "on this side Jordan": Refers to the western side of the Jordan River, which is the Promised Land of Canaan proper, distinct from the lands east of the Jordan already conquered by Israel (e.g., Sihon and Og).
• "in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon": This is a comprehensive geographical description, outlining the extent of the territory from which the kings emerged.
  • Hills (hahārim): Denotes the central mountain range of Canaan, a key strategic area.
  • Valleys (haššĕphēlâ): Refers to the lowlands and plains, fertile and populated areas.
  • Coasts of the great sea (hōph hayyām haggādhôl): The Mediterranean Sea coast, highlighting the inclusion of maritime city-states and groups.
  • Over against Lebanon (mul halĕbānôn): Signifies the regions stretching north towards the land of Lebanon, indicating the far northern extent of the alarmed peoples.
• "the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite": This enumeration lists six of the indigenous peoples destined for disinheritance. This precise naming confirms the prophetic nature of Israel's conquest, fulfilling the long-standing divine decrees against these specific nations due to their idolatry and wickedness.
• "heard thereof" (ki šāma‘ū): This phrase highlights the powerful effect of the news of Israel's preceding victories (Jericho and Ai). The fear generated by these reports (as previously mentioned in Josh 2:9-11 and Josh 5:1) served as the primary catalyst for their collective action.
• "gathered themselves together" (wayyiqāhalû): From the root qāhal, meaning "to assemble" or "to congregate." This indicates a deliberate, organized formation of a confederacy, moving beyond fragmented resistance.
• "to fight with Joshua and with Israel": The purpose of their gathering was clear: military confrontation. Their opposition was directed not only at Joshua, the visible leader, but against Israel as a whole, signifying their resistance to God's chosen people and His divine plan for them.
• "with one accord" (peh ’ehāḏ): Literally "with one mouth" or "one agreement/consent." This strong Hebrew idiom emphasizes the remarkable unanimity and unified purpose among these diverse and often conflicting city-states and peoples. Their shared fear of Israel overcame their historical divisions, driving them to form a cohesive, formidable front.

Joshua 9 1 Bonus section

• The strategic alliance formed by these Canaanite kings reflects a broader pattern seen throughout biblical history where nations or groups coalesce in opposition to God's chosen people or divine will (e.g., Psalm 2, Psalm 83, the events in Acts against early Christians).
• The widespread knowledge and fear among the inhabitants of Canaan underscore God's intentional use of fear as a tool to prepare the way for Israel (Deu 2:25; Josh 2:9). This divine psychological warfare softens hearts or drives enemies into doomed alliances.
• The absence of the Girgashite from the list in this verse, while typically included in the list of nations, highlights variations in the census lists of nations throughout scripture, often attributed to their being absorbed into other groups or their specific geographical location not being relevant to this particular alliance.

Joshua 9 1 Commentary

Joshua 9:1 functions as a pivotal narrative transition, signaling a new phase in the conquest of Canaan. While earlier victories at Jericho and Ai had been isolated, this verse depicts the coalescing of numerous independent rulers into a desperate confederation. This unification was born out of fear triggered by the unmistakable divine power witnessed through Israel's miraculous victories and the spreading reputation of their God. The diverse geographical spread of these kings and the naming of specific ethnic groups (Hittite, Amorite, Canaanite, Perizzite, Hivite, Jebusite) underscores the fulfillment of ancient prophecies regarding the dispossession of these wicked nations. Their decision to "gather themselves together... with one accord" highlights a desperate, unified resistance to God's direct command for Israel to inherit the land. This united opposition sets the stage for major future battles, emphasizing the human tendency to band together against God's appointed means and purposes, even when facing overwhelming divine power. This confederacy illustrates a common biblical pattern: humanity uniting in defiance against God's plan.