Joshua 12

Joshua 12 lists the kings defeated by the Israelites during their conquest of Canaan. It details victories on both sides of the Jordan River—first the eastern side under Moses' leadership, then the western side under Joshua. This chapter serves as a historical record of God's faithfulness in delivering the land He promised to Israel, marking the transition from conquest to the distribution of land among the tribes.

Joshua 12:1-5 (NKJV):
1 These are the kings of the land whom the children of Israel defeated, and whose land they possessed on the other side of the Jordan toward the rising of the sun, from the River Arnon to Mount Hermon, and all the eastern Jordan plain:
2 One king was Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt in Heshbon and ruled half of Gilead, from Aroer, which is on the bank of the River Arnon, from the middle of that river, even as far as the River Jabbok, which is the border of the Ammonites,
3 and the eastern Jordan plain from the Sea of Chinneroth as far as the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea), the road to Beth Jeshimoth, and southward below the slopes of Pisgah.
4 The other king was Og king of Bashan and his territory, who was of the remnant of the giants, who dwelt at Ashtaroth and at Edrei,
5 and reigned over Mount Hermon, over Salcah, over all Bashan, as far as the border of the Geshurites and the Maachathites, and over half of Gilead to the border of Sihon king of Heshbon.

These verses recount the victories Moses led over the eastern side of the Jordan River. Two significant kings, Sihon and Og, were defeated, representing the Amorites and remnants of the giants. The description of their territories demonstrates the vastness of the land that God gave Israel. The conquest of these two powerful kings was pivotal, as it solidified Israel’s presence east of the Jordan, preparing them for further victories westward under Joshua.

Joshua 12:6 (NKJV):
6 These Moses the servant of the Lord and the children of Israel had conquered; and Moses the servant of the Lord had given it as a possession to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh.

The land conquered from Sihon and Og was allocated to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasseh. Moses, before his death, ensured that these tribes would settle on the eastern side of the Jordan. Their inheritance reflected God's provision and the fulfillment of His promises, even before Joshua’s conquest of Canaan began.

Joshua 12:7-8 (NKJV):
7 And these are the kings of the country which Joshua and the children of Israel conquered on this side of the Jordan, on the west, from Baal Gad in the Valley of Lebanon as far as Mount Halak and the ascent to Seir, which Joshua gave to the tribes of Israel as a possession according to their divisions,
8 in the mountain country, in the lowlands, in the Jordan plain, in the slopes, in the wilderness, and in the South—the Hittites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites:

These verses shift focus to the conquests led by Joshua on the western side of the Jordan. Joshua’s military campaigns ranged from the northernmost part of Canaan to the southern regions. The text lists the geographical diversity of the land conquered, emphasizing how God helped Israel triumph over various Canaanite peoples, fulfilling His promise to give them the land.

Joshua 12:9-24 (NKJV):
9 The king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai, which is beside Bethel, one;
10 the king of Jerusalem, one; the king of Hebron, one;
11 the king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one;
12 the king of Eglon, one; the king of Gezer, one;
13 the king of Debir, one; the king of Geder, one;
14 the king of Hormah, one; the king of Arad, one;
15 the king of Libnah, one; the king of Adullam, one;
16 the king of Makkedah, one; the king of Bethel, one;
17 the king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one;
18 the king of Aphek, one; the king of Lasharon, one;
19 the king of Madon, one; the king of Hazor, one;
20 the king of Shimron Meron, one; the king of Achshaph, one;
21 the king of Taanach, one; the king of Megiddo, one;
22 the king of Kedesh, one; the king of Jokneam in Carmel, one;
23 the king of Dor in the heights of Dor, one; the king of the people of Gilgal, one;
24 the king of Tirzah, one—all the kings, thirty-one.

These verses list the names of 31 kings that Joshua and the Israelites defeated in Canaan. The repetition of "one" after each king's name highlights the systematic nature of the conquests and the scope of Israel’s victories. Each king represents a city-state that was once an obstacle to Israel’s settlement in the Promised Land. The list emphasizes that the victories were complete, with every opposition neutralized through God’s power.