Joshua 12

King James Version

Full text for Joshua Chapter 12

1¶ Now these [are] the kings of the land, which the children of Israel smote, and possessed their land on the other side Jordan toward the rising of the sun, from the river Arnon unto mount Hermon, and all the plain on the east:

2Sihon 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;

3And from the plain to the sea of Chinneroth on the east, and unto the sea of the plain, [even] the salt sea on the east, the way to Bethjeshimoth; and from the south, under Ashdothpisgah:

4And the coast of Og king of Bashan, [which was] of the remnant of the giants, that dwelt at Ashtaroth and at Edrei,

5And reigned in mount Hermon, and in Salcah, and in all Bashan, unto the border of the Geshurites and the Maachathites, and half Gilead, the border of Sihon king of Heshbon.

6Them did Moses the servant of the LORD and the children of Israel smite: and Moses the servant of the LORD gave it [for] a possession unto the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh.

7¶ And these [are] the kings of the country which Joshua and the children of Israel smote on this side Jordan on the west, from Baalgad in the valley of Lebanon even unto the mount Halak, that goeth up to Seir; which Joshua gave unto the tribes of Israel [for] a possession according to their divisions;

8In the mountains, and in the valleys, and in the plains, and in the springs, and in the wilderness, and in the south country; the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites:

9The king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai, which [is] beside Bethel, one;

10The king of Jerusalem, one; the king of Hebron, one;

11The king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one;

12The king of Eglon, one; the king of Gezer, one;

13The king of Debir, one; the king of Geder, one;

14The king of Hormah, one; the king of Arad, one;

15The king of Libnah, one; the king of Adullam, one;

16The king of Makkedah, one; the king of Bethel, one;

17The king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one;

18The king of Aphek, one; the king of Lasharon, one;

19The king of Madon, one; the king of Hazor, one;

20The king of Shimronmeron, one; the king of Achshaph, one;

21The king of Taanach, one; the king of Megiddo, one;

22The king of Kedesh, one; the king of Jokneam of Carmel, one;

23The king of Dor in the coast of Dor, one; the king of the nations of Gilgal, one;

24The king of Tirzah, one: all the kings thirty and one.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Joshua chapter 12 provides a comprehensive list of kings defeated by the Israelites during their conquest of the land. It first enumerates the two kings, Sihon and Og, vanquished by Moses on the east side of the Jordan River, whose territories were then allotted to the Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh. The chapter then details the thirty-one kings subdued by Joshua and the children of Israel on the west side of the Jordan, whose lands were subsequently distributed among the remaining tribes. This chapter serves as a summary of the successful military campaigns.

Medium Summary

Joshua chapter 12 serves as a summary of the Israelite conquests, detailing the kings and territories subdued. It begins by recounting the victories achieved by Moses on the east side of the Jordan River. Here, Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, were defeated, and their lands, stretching from the Arnon to Mount Hermon, were taken. These territories were subsequently given as a possession to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. The chapter then transitions to the conquests led by Joshua on the west side of the Jordan. A comprehensive list of thirty-one kings is provided, including rulers from significant cities such as Jericho, Ai, Jerusalem, Hebron, and Hazor. These victories secured the land from Baalgad to Mount Halak, which Joshua then distributed among the remaining tribes of Israel according to their divisions. This chapter underscores the fulfillment of God's promise to give Israel the land.

Long Summary

Joshua chapter 12 provides a detailed recapitulation of the kings and territories conquered by the children of Israel, serving as a concluding summary of the preceding military campaigns. The chapter is divided into two main sections, first addressing the conquests east of the Jordan River. It specifies the defeat of Sihon, king of the Amorites, whose dominion extended from Aroer to the Jabbok, encompassing half of Gilead and parts of the plain. Following this, the chapter details the conquest of Og, king of Bashan, who was of the remnant of the giants and reigned from Mount Hermon to Salcah, including all Bashan and the other half of Gilead. These two kings and their lands were smitten by Moses, the servant of the LORD, and subsequently given as a possession to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. The second and larger section of the chapter enumerates the kings vanquished by Joshua and the children of Israel on the west side of the Jordan. This extensive list includes thirty-one kings from various regions, encompassing mountains, valleys, plains, springs, wilderness, and the south country. Specific kings mentioned include those of prominent cities such as Jericho, Ai, Jerusalem, Hebron, Lachish, Gezer, Hazor, and Megiddo. The defeated inhabitants included Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. These conquests secured the land from Baalgad in the valley of Lebanon to Mount Halak, which ascends towards Seir. Joshua then allocated these lands to the tribes of Israel as their inheritance, according to their respective divisions. This chapter thus emphasizes the thoroughness of the conquest and the comprehensive fulfillment of the divine promise regarding the land.

Core Concepts

  • Kings East of JordanThis section details the defeat of two powerful kings, Sihon of the Amorites and Og of Bashan, by Moses on the eastern side of the Jordan River. Their territories, stretching from the Arnon to Mount Hermon, were the first lands taken by Israel.
  • Allotment East of JordanThe lands conquered from Sihon and Og were specifically given by Moses as a possession to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. This established their inheritance before the main conquest of Canaan.
  • Kings West of JordanThe chapter provides an extensive list of thirty-one kings whom Joshua and the children of Israel defeated on the western side of the Jordan. These rulers governed various cities and regions across the land of Canaan.
  • Comprehensive ConquestJoshua 12 highlights the thoroughness of the Israelite military campaigns, enumerating a total of thirty-three kings vanquished across both sides of the Jordan. This demonstrates the widespread nature of their victories against the inhabitants of the land.
  • Tribal InheritanceThe chapter implicitly reinforces the theme of the land being divided among the tribes of Israel as their possession. The conquered territories, both east and west of the Jordan, were subsequently distributed according to divine direction.
  • Fulfillment of PromiseBy listing the numerous kings and territories subdued, the chapter serves as a testament to the LORD's faithfulness in delivering the land to the children of Israel. It marks the successful completion of the major military phase of the conquest.