Study notes

Joshua 12

Introducing JoshuaWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

8:30–12:24 Section

At Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim the Israelites committed themselves again to the Mount Sinai covenant. They did this by reading out loud the Law of Moses.

They also read out loud the covenant blessings and covenant curses. In Deuteronomy 11:29 and Deuteronomy chapter 27 Moses had given them instructions about these things.

The entire community of Israel was there. This included outsiders like Rahab who had joined the Israelites. Like Rahab, the Hivites in Gibeon had heard about God’s mighty acts.

Yet they tried to stop God’s plan to bring judgement against them. They did this by tricking the Israelites into making a covenant with them. These Hivites became outsiders who lived among the Israelites and served them.

Other people groups in Canaan also tried to stop God’s plan to bring judgement. They did this by attacking the Israelites. This showed that they were stubborn. They didn’t follow Rahab’s example of recognising that God rules in heaven and on earth. So God brought judgement against those people groups. God allowed Joshua and the Israelites to destroy them.

10:1–12:24

This second major section of the book records Joshua's southern and northern campaigns against two coalitions of kings from Canaan. Joshua's victories allowed Israel to settle the hill country from Galilee in the north to the Negev in the south.

12:1

  • The Arnon River flows into the Dead Sea halfway down its eastern side, forming the Arnon Valley. Israel started its conquests here (see Numbers 21:13–15, 21–35).

  • Mount Hermon is about 40 kilometers (25 miles) north or northeast of the Sea of Galilee.

12:1–24

This chapter summarizes Israel's victories on both sides of the Jordan River. It then moves to Joshua distributing the land of Canaan among the tribes of Israel (chapter 13).

12:4

  • Og king of Bashan: See Numbers 21:33–35.

  • the Rephaim: These were native people living on both sides of the Jordan River. Many scholars believe the Rephaim were very tall (see Deuteronomy 3:11).

  • Ashtaroth and Edrei: Many rulers of large kingdoms had palaces in multiple cities. Joshua credits only Og with more than one capital. This suggests that his kingdom was larger than others Israel confronted, except for the kingdom of Sihon.

12:6

the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh: See Numbers 32. The author of Joshua reminded the Israelites that their relatives living east of the Jordan River were also part of Israel.

12:7

  • Baal-gad was at the western base of Mount Hermon. It marked the northern limit of Joshua's conquests west of the Jordan River.

  • The Valley of Lebanon separated the coastal Lebanon mountain range from the non-coastal (inland) Anti-Lebanon range.

  • Mount Halak, which leads toward Seir (also known as Edom), marked the southern limit of Joshua's conquests.

12:7–24

Joshua and the Israelites completed the tasks God assigned to them. This summary emphasizes their successes and properly recognizes their loyalty. God gave the Israelites the land he promised to them.

He also finally judged the Canaanites. The list of kings defeated, identified by their city-states, shows God's fulfilled plans. This list was a serious yet joyful recitation for Israel. It reminds the people of God’s mighty acts on their behalf and honors his great name.

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources