Joshua 12
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Commentaries
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From the river Arnon unto Mount Hermon - Arnon was the boundary of all the southern coast of the land occupied by the Israelites beyond Jordan; and the mountains of Hermon were the boundaries on the north. Arnon takes its rise in the mountains of Gilead, and having run a long way from north to south falls into the Dead Sea, near the same place into which Jordan discharges itself. And all the plain on the east - All the land from the plains of Moab to Mount Hermon.
Open source ↗THE TWO KINGS WHOSE COUNTRIES MOSES TOOK AND DISPOSED OF. (Jos 12:1-6) Now these are the kings of the land, which the children of Israel smote, and possessed their land on the other side Jordan--This chapter contains a recapitulation of the conquests made in the promised land, with the additional mention of some places not formerly noted in the sacred history. The river Arnon on the south and mount Hermon on the north were the respective boundaries of the land acquired by the Israelites beyond Jordan (see Num 21:21-24; Deu 2:36; Deu 3:3-16 [and see on Deu 2:24]).
Open source ↗Now these are the kings of the land which the children of Israel smote,.... In the days of Moses, as Jarchi remarks, and as it clearly appears from what follows: and possessed, their land on the other side Jordan toward the rising of the sun; on the east of the land of Canaan: from the river Arnon unto the mount Hermon, and all the plain on the east; Arnon was the border of Moab between them and the Amorites, Num 21:13; and from hence to Hermon, a mountain adjoining to Lebanon, lay the country of the two kings of the Amorites after mentioned, Deu 3:8; and the plain on the east were the plains of Moab, which lay to the east of Jordan.
Open source ↗List of the kings whom the Israelites smote, and whose land they took, on the other side of the Jordan, - namely, the land by the brook Arnon (Mojeb; see Num 21:13) to Hermon (Jebel es Sheikh, Deu 3:8), and the whole of the eastern Arabah (the valley of the Jordan on the eastern side of the river). Jos 12:2-3 On Sihon and his kingdom, see Num 21:24; Deu 2:36; Deu 3:16-17. "Aror on the Arnon:" the present ruins of Araayr, on the northern bank of the Mojeb (see Num 32:34). הנּחל ותוך, "and (from) the middle of the valley onwards:" i.e., according to the parallel passages in Jos 13:9, Jos 13:16, and Deu 2:36, from the town in the Arnon valley, the city of Moab mentioned in Num 22:36, viz., Ar or Areopolis (see at Num 21:15) in the neighbourhood of Aror, which is mentioned as the exclusive terminus a quo of the land taken by the Israelites along with the inclusive terminus Aror. "Half-Gilead," i.e., the mountainous district on the south side of the Jabbok (see at Deu 3:10), "to the river Jabbok," i.e., the upper Jabbok, the present Nahr Ammn (see at Num 21:24). Jos 12:3 "And (over) the Arabah, etc., Sihon reigned," i.e., over the eastern side of the Ghor, between the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea (see at Deu 3:17). "By the way to Bethjeshimoth, and towards the south below the slopes of Pisgah" (see at Num 21:15 and Num 27:12), i.e., to the north-eastern border of the desert by the Dead Sea (see at Num 22:1). Jos 12:4-5 "And the territory of Og," sc., they took possession of (Jos 12:1). On Og, vid., Deu 3:11; and on his residences, Ashtaroth (probably to be seen in Tell Ashtereh) and Edrei (now Draa or Dra), see at Gen 14:5 and Num 21:33. On his territory, see Deu 3:10, Deu 3:13-14. Jos 12:6 These two kings were smitten by Moses, etc.: vid., Num 21:21., and Num 32:33.
Open source ↗Joshua, or whoever else is the historian before he comes to sum up the new conquests Israel had made, in these verses receives their former conquests in Moses's time, under whom they became masters of the great and potent kingdoms of Sihon and Og. Note, Fresh mercies must not drown the remembrance of former mercies, nor must the glory of the present instruments of good to the church be suffered to eclipse and diminish the just honour of those who have gone before them, and who were the blessings and ornaments of their day. Joshua's services and achievements are confessedly great, but let not those under Moses be overlooked and forgotten, since God was the same who wrought both, and both put together proclaim him the Alpha and Omega of Israel's great salvation. Here is, 1. A description of this conquered country, the measure and bounds of it in general (Jos 12:1): From the river Arnon in the south, to Mount Hermon in the north. In particular, here is a description of the kingdom of Sihon (Jos 12:2, Jos 12:3), and that of Og, Jos 12:4, Jos 12:5. Moses had described this country very particularly (Deu 2:36; Deu 3:4, etc.), and this description here agrees with his. King Og is said to dwell at Ashtaroth and Edrei (Jos 12:4), probably because they were both his royal cities; he had palaces in both, and resided sometimes in one and sometimes in the other; one perhaps was his summer seat and the other his winter seat. But Israel took both from him, and made one grave to serve him that could not be content with one palace. 2. The distribution of this country. Moses assigned it to the two tribes and a half, at their request, and divided it among them (Jos 12:6), of which we had the story at large, Num. 32. The dividing of it when it was conquered by Moses is here mentioned as an…
Open source ↗12:1-24 This chapter summarizes Israel’s conquests on both sides of the Jordan and transitions to Joshua’s distribution of the land of Canaan among the tribes of Israel (ch 13). 12:1 The Arnon River flows into the Dead Sea midway down its eastern side, creating the Arnon Gorge. Israel began its conquests here (see Num 21:13-15, 21-35). • Mount Hermon lies twenty-five miles north-northeast of the Sea of Galilee.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) יָרַשׁ (yârash, H3423) — to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by… עֵבֶר (ʻêber, H5676) — properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on… יַרְדֵּן (Yardên, H3383) — Jarden, the principal river of Palestine מִזְרָח (mizrâch, H4217) — sunrise, i.e. the east שֶׁמֶשׁ (shemesh, H8121) — the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched… נַחַל (nachal, H5158) — a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a… אַרְנוֹן (ʼArnôwn, H769) — the Arnon, a river east of the Jordan, also its territory הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) חֶרְמוֹן (Chermôwn, H2768) — Chermon, a mount of Palestine
Open source ↗סִיחוֹן (Çîychôwn, H5511) — Sichon, an Amoritish king מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אֱמֹרִי (ʼĔmôrîy, H567) — an Emorite, one of the Canaanitish tribes יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… חֶשְׁבּוֹן (Cheshbôwn, H2809) — Cheshbon, a place East of the Jordan מָשַׁל (mâshal, H4910) — to rule עֲרוֹעֵר (ʻĂrôwʻêr, H6177) — Aroer, the name of three places in or near Palestine שָׂפָה (sâphâh, H8193) — the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a… נַחַל (nachal, H5158) — a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a… אַרְנוֹן (ʼArnôwn, H769) — the Arnon, a river east of the Jordan, also its territory תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre חֵצִי (chêtsîy, H2677) — the half or middle גִּלְעָד (Gilʻâd, H1568) — Gilad, a region East of the Jordan; also the name of three Israelites יַבֹּק (Yabbôq, H2999) — Jabbok, a river east of the Jordan
Open source ↗עֲרָבָה (ʻărâbâh, H6160) — a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the… יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the… כִּנְּרוֹת (Kinnᵉrôwth, H3672) — Kinneroth or Kinnereth, a place in Palestine מִזְרָח (mizrâch, H4217) — sunrise, i.e. the east מֶלַח (melach, H4417) — properly, powder, i.e. (specifically) salt (as easily pulverized and dissolved) דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb בֵּית הַיְשִׁימוֹת (Bêyth ha-Yshîy-môwth, H1020) — Beth-ha-Jeshimoth, a town East of the Jordan תֵּימָן (têymân, H8486) — the south (as being on the right hand of a person facing the east) אַשְׁדּוֹת הַפִּסְגָּה (ʼAshdôwth hap-Piçgâh, H798) — Ashdoth-Pisgah, a place east of the Jordan אֲשֵׁדָה (ʼăshêdâh, H794) — a ravine
Open source ↗גְּבוּל (gᵉbûwl, H1366) — properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e. (by implication) a boundary; by extension the… עוֹג (ʻÔwg, H5747) — Og, a king of Bashan מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king בָּשָׁן (Bâshân, H1316) — Bashan (often with the article), a region East of the Jordan יֶתֶר (yether, H3499) — properly, an overhanging, i.e. (by implication) an excess, superiority, remainder; also a… רָפָא (râphâʼ, H7497) — a giant יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… עַשְׁתָּרוֹת (ʻAshtârôwth, H6252) — Ashtaroth, the name of a Sidonian deity, and of a place East of the Jordan אֶדְרֶעִי (ʼedreʻîy, H154) — Edrei, the name of two places in Palestine
Open source ↗מָשַׁל (mâshal, H4910) — to rule הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) חֶרְמוֹן (Chermôwn, H2768) — Chermon, a mount of Palestine סַלְכָה (Çalkâh, H5548) — Salcah, a place East of the Jordan בָּשָׁן (Bâshân, H1316) — Bashan (often with the article), a region East of the Jordan גְּבוּל (gᵉbûwl, H1366) — properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e. (by implication) a boundary; by extension the… גְּשׁוּרִי (Gᵉshûwrîy, H1651) — a Geshurite (also collectively) or inhabitants of Geshur מַעֲכָתִי (Maʻăkâthîy, H4602) — a Maakathite, or inhabitant of Maakah חֵצִי (chêtsîy, H2677) — the half or middle גִּלְעָד (Gilʻâd, H1568) — Gilad, a region East of the Jordan; also the name of three Israelites סִיחוֹן (Çîychôwn, H5511) — Sichon, an Amoritish king מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king חֶשְׁבּוֹן (Cheshbôwn, H2809) — Cheshbon, a place East of the Jordan
Open source ↗מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) יְרֻשָּׁה (yᵉrushshâh, H3425) — something occupied; a conquest; also a patrimony רְאוּבֵנִי (Rᵉʼûwbênîy, H7206) — a Reubenite or descendant of Reuben גָּדִי (Gâdîy, H1425) — a Gadite (collectively) or descendants of Gad חֵצִי (chêtsîy, H2677) — the half or middle שֵׁבֶט (shêbeṭ, H7626) — a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking,… מְנַשֶּׁה (Mᵉnashsheh, H4519) — Menashsheh, a grandson of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) יְהוֹשׁוּעַ (Yᵉhôwshûwaʻ, H3091) — Jehoshua (i.e. Joshua), the Jewish leader בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) עֵבֶר (ʻêber, H5676) — properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on… יַרְדֵּן (Yardên, H3383) — Jarden, the principal river of Palestine יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the… בַּעַל גָּד (Baʻal Gâd, H1171) — Baal-Gad, a place in Syria בִּקְעָה (biqʻâh, H1237) — properly, a split, i.e. a wide level valley between mountains לְבָנוֹן (Lᵉbânôwn, H3844) — Lebanon, a mountain range in Palestine הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) חָלָק (Châlâq, H2510) — Chalak, a mountain of Idumaea
Open source ↗הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) שְׁפֵלָה (shᵉphêlâh, H8219) — Lowland, i.e. (with the article) the maritime slope of Palestine עֲרָבָה (ʻărâbâh, H6160) — a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the… אֲשֵׁדָה (ʼăshêdâh, H794) — a ravine מִדְבָּר (midbâr, H4057) — a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also… נֶגֶב (negeb, H5045) — the south (from its drought); specifically, the Negeb or southern district of Judah,… חִתִּי (Chittîy, H2850) — a Chittite, or descendant of Cheth אֱמֹרִי (ʼĔmôrîy, H567) — an Emorite, one of the Canaanitish tribes כְּנַעַנִי (Kᵉnaʻanîy, H3669) — a Kenaanite or inhabitant of Kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the Canaanites standing… פְּרִזִּי (Pᵉrizzîy, H6522) — a Perizzite, one of the Canaanitish tribes חִוִּי (Chivvîy, H2340) — a Chivvite, one of the aboriginal tribes of Palestine יְבוּסִי (Yᵉbûwçîy, H2983) — a Jebusite or inhabitant of Jebus
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יְרִיחוֹ (Yᵉrîychôw, H3405) — Jericho or Jerecho, a place in Palestine אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first עַי (ʻAy, H5857) — Ai, Aja or Ajath, a place in Palestine צַד (tsad, H6654) — a side; figuratively, an adversary בֵּית־אֵל (Bêyth-ʼÊl, H1008) — Beth-El, a place in Palestine
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first חֶבְרוֹן (Chebrôwn, H2275) — Chebron, a place in Palestine, also the name of two Israelites
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יַרְמוּת (Yarmûwth, H3412) — Jarmuth, the name of two places in Palestine אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first לָכִישׁ (Lâkîysh, H3923) — Lakish, a place in Palestine
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king עֶגְלוֹן (ʻEglôwn, H5700) — Eglon, the name of a place in Palestine and of a Moabitish king אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first גֶּזֶר (Gezer, H1507) — Gezer, a place in Palestine
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king דְּבִיר (Dᵉbîyr, H1688) — Debir, the name of an Amoritish king and of two places in Palestine אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first גֶּדֶר (Geder, H1445) — Geder, a place in Palestine
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king חׇרְמָה (Chormâh, H2767) — Chormah, a place in Palestine אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first עֲרָד (ʻĂrâd, H6166) — Arad, the name of a place near Palestine, also of a Canaanite and an Israelite
Open source ↗Cross-references
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From there they moved on and camped on the other side of the Arnon, in the wilderness that extends into the Amorite territory. Now the Arnon is the border between the Moabites and the Amorites.
Then Israel traveled through the wilderness and bypassed the lands of Edom and Moab. They came to the east side of the land of Moab and camped on the other side of the Arnon. But they did not enter the territory of Moab, since the Arnon was its border.
And Israel put him to the sword and took possession of his land, from the Arnon to the Jabbok—but only up to the border of the Ammonites, because it was fortified.
until the LORD gives them rest as He has done for you, and your brothers also possess the land that the LORD your God is giving them. Then you may return to the land of your inheritance and take possession of that which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the east side of the Jordan.”
And now that the LORD your God has given your brothers rest as He promised them, you may return to your homes in the land that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you across the Jordan.
from Mount Halak, which rises toward Seir, as far as Baal-gad in the Valley of Lebanon at the foot of Mount Hermon. He captured all their kings and struck them down, putting them to death.
It is like the dew of Hermon falling on the mountains of Zion. For there the LORD has bestowed the blessing of life forevermore.
Like fluttering birds pushed out of the nest, so are the daughters of Moab at the fords of the Arnon:
“Arise, set out, and cross the Arnon Valley. See, I have delivered into your hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land. Begin to take possession of it and engage him in battle.
extending from Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Valley as far as Mount Siyon (that is, Hermon),