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Joshua 12

24 verses

TL;DR

Joshua lists the kings defeated on both sides of the Jordan and records the distribution of their lands to the Israelite tribes.

Summary

Joshua 12 summarizes Israel’s conquests during the settlement of Canaan. It begins with the defeat of Sihon king of the Amorites and Og king of Bashan, whose territories stretched from the Arnon River to Mount Hermon and Bashan; their lands were allotted to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half-tribe Manasseh. The chapter then enumerates the thirty‑one kings on the western side of the Jordan, each ruling a different city such as Jericho, Ai, Jerusalem, and Hazor. Joshua allocated the spoils of each city to the appropriate tribes according to their allotted portions. The passage emphasizes God’s faithfulness in fulfilling the promise of land, the obedience of Moses and Joshua, and the unity of Israel in shared conquest. It serves as a record of divine provision and a reminder of the covenantal relationship between God and the Israelites.

Outline
  1. Kings east of the Jordan and their conquered territories
  2. Kings west of the Jordan and their cities
  3. Allocation of conquered lands to Israelite tribes
Themes
Divine promise and fulfillmentConquest and possessionUnity and inheritance division
Keywords
JoshuaMosesIsraelkingconquestJordanlandcovenanttribesspoil
People
MosesJoshuaSihonOg
Places
HeshbonArnonJabbokMount HermonBashanGileadJerichoAiJerusalemHazorSeir
Things
Arnon RiverMount HermonSalt SeaGiants (Bashanites)Conquered landsSpill of spoils
Key Verses
  • Joshua 12:1: Introduces the list of eastern kings and their territories
  • Joshua 12:4: Highlights the conquest of Og, a giant king, and the extent of his realm
  • Joshua 12:7: Lists the western kings and sets the stage for their defeat
  • Joshua 12:24: Concludes with the total number of defeated kings, underscoring completeness of conquest
Questions
  • How does the allocation of conquered lands reflect Israel’s covenantal promise?
  • What does the repetition of “one” for each king signify about Israel’s military success?
  • In what ways does the text emphasize God’s role in the conquest?
  • How might the distribution of territories have affected tribal relationships?
  • What lessons about obedience and faith can be drawn from Moses and Joshua’s leadership?
Sentiment

neutral
The chapter records historical events and divine promises without overt emotional language.