Joshua 12:9
Joshua 12:9 in Multiple Translations
the king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai, which is near Bethel, one;
¶ The king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai, which is beside Beth-el, one;
the king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai, which is beside Beth-el, one;
The king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai, which is near Beth-el, one;
The king of Jericho. The king of Ai, near Bethel.
The King of Iericho was one: the King of Ai, which is beside Beth-el, one:
The king of Jericho, one; The king of Ai, which [is] beside Bethel, one;
the king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai, which is beside Bethel, one;
The king of Jericho one; the king of Ai, which is beside Beth-el, one;
The king of Jericho one: the king of Hai, which is on the side of Bethel, one:
Jericho, Ai (which was near Bethel),
Berean Amplified Bible — Joshua 12:9
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Joshua 12:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
מֶ֥לֶךְ
יְרִיח֖וֹ
אֶחָ֑ד
מֶ֧לֶךְ
הָ/עַ֛י
אֲשֶׁר
מִ/צַּ֥ד
בֵּֽית
אֵ֖ל
אֶחָֽד
מֶ֥לֶךְ
melek
H4428
King's
N-ms
יְרִיח֖וֹ
Yᵉrîychôw
H3405
Jericho
N-proper
אֶחָ֑ד
ʼechâd
H259
one
Adj
מֶ֧לֶךְ
melek
H4428
King's
N-ms
הָ/עַ֛י
ʻAy
H5857
Ai
Art | N-proper
אֲשֶׁר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
מִ/צַּ֥ד
tsad
H6654
side
Prep | N-ms
בֵּֽית
Bêyth-ʼÊl
H1008
Bethel
N-proper
אֵ֖ל
Bêyth-ʼÊl
H1008
Bethel
N-proper
אֶחָֽד
ʼechâd
H259
one
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Joshua 12:9
מֶ֥לֶךְ
melek
H4428
"King's"
N-ms
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
יְרִיח֖וֹ
Yᵉrîychôw
H3405
"Jericho"
N-proper
Jericho was a city in Palestine, the first conquered by the Israelites in Canaan. Its name means 'its moon' and it was located near the Jordan River and the Dead Sea.
Definition: Jericho = "its moon" a city 5 miles (8 km) west of the Jordan and 7 miles (11.5 km) north of the Dead Sea and the first city conquered by the Israelites upon entering the promised land of Canaan Also named: Hierichō (Ἱεριχώ "Jericho" G2410)
Usage: Occurs in 53 OT verses. KJV: Jericho. See also: Numbers 22:1; Joshua 9:3; Jeremiah 39:5.
אֶחָ֑ד
ʼechâd
H259
"one"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means one or united, and is used to describe something that is single or unique. It is often translated as one, first, or alone. For example, in Genesis 1:5, God calls the light day and the darkness night, and separates them into one thing from another.
Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)
Usage: Occurs in 739 OT verses. KJV: a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, See also: Genesis 1:5; Exodus 36:26; Numbers 7:70.
מֶ֧לֶךְ
melek
H4428
"King's"
N-ms
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
הָ/עַ֛י
ʻAy
H5857
"Ai"
Art | N-proper
Ai means 'heap of ruins', a city in Palestine east of the Jordan River, mentioned in the Bible as part of the Ammonites' territory. It appears in the book of Joshua and is associated with Heshbon. The city's name reflects its history of destruction.
Definition: § Ai or Aija or Aiath or Hai = "heap of ruins" a city of the Ammonites on the east of the Jordan and apparently attached to Heshbon
Usage: Occurs in 34 OT verses. KJV: Ai, Aija, Aijath, Hai. See also: Genesis 12:8; Joshua 8:20; Isaiah 10:28.
אֲשֶׁר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
מִ/צַּ֥ד
tsad
H6654
"side"
Prep | N-ms
This word refers to the side of something, like the side of a building or a person's side. It can also mean an enemy or adversary, like someone who opposes you. It is used in the Bible to describe locations or relationships.
Definition: side Aramaic equivalent: tsad (צַד "side" H6655)
Usage: Occurs in 27 OT verses. KJV: (be-) side. See also: Genesis 6:16; 1 Samuel 6:8; Psalms 91:7.
בֵּֽית
Bêyth-ʼÊl
H1008
"Bethel"
N-proper
Bethel, meaning house of God, is a significant location in the Bible, particularly in the book of Genesis. It was a place of worship and sacrifice, where Jacob had a vision of a ladder reaching to heaven. The name Bethel signifies its importance as a spiritual site, where God was believed to dwell.
Definition: § Bethel = "house of God" a place in south country of Judah
Usage: Occurs in 65 OT verses. KJV: Beth-el. See also: Genesis 12:8; 1 Samuel 30:27; Jeremiah 48:13.
אֵ֖ל
Bêyth-ʼÊl
H1008
"Bethel"
N-proper
Bethel, meaning house of God, is a significant location in the Bible, particularly in the book of Genesis. It was a place of worship and sacrifice, where Jacob had a vision of a ladder reaching to heaven. The name Bethel signifies its importance as a spiritual site, where God was believed to dwell.
Definition: § Bethel = "house of God" a place in south country of Judah
Usage: Occurs in 65 OT verses. KJV: Beth-el. See also: Genesis 12:8; 1 Samuel 30:27; Jeremiah 48:13.
אֶחָֽד
ʼechâd
H259
"one"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means one or united, and is used to describe something that is single or unique. It is often translated as one, first, or alone. For example, in Genesis 1:5, God calls the light day and the darkness night, and separates them into one thing from another.
Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)
Usage: Occurs in 739 OT verses. KJV: a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, See also: Genesis 1:5; Exodus 36:26; Numbers 7:70.
Study Notes — Joshua 12:9
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Joshua 12:9 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Joshua 12:9
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Joshua 12:9
- Trapp's Commentary on Joshua 12:9
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Joshua 12:9
- Cambridge Bible on Joshua 12:9
- Whedon's Commentary on Joshua 12:9
- Sermons on Joshua 12:9
Context — The Kings Defeated West of the Jordan
7And these are the kings of the land that Joshua and the Israelites conquered beyond the Jordan to the west, from Baal-gad in the Valley of Lebanon to Mount Halak, which rises toward Seir (according to the allotments to the tribes of Israel, Joshua gave them as an inheritance
8the hill country, the foothills, the Arabah, the slopes, the wilderness, and the Negev—the lands of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites):
9the king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai, which is near Bethel, one;
10the king of Jerusalem, one; the king of Hebron, one; 11the king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one;Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joshua 8:29–35 | He hung the king of Ai on a tree until evening, and at sunset Joshua commanded that they take down the body from the tree and throw it down at the entrance of the city gate. And over it they raised a large pile of rocks, which remains to this day. At that time Joshua built an altar on Mount Ebal to the LORD, the God of Israel, just as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded the Israelites. He built it according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses: “an altar of uncut stones on which no iron tool has been used.” And on it they offered burnt offerings to the LORD, and they sacrificed peace offerings. And there in the presence of the Israelites, Joshua inscribed on the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he had written. All Israel, foreigners and citizens alike, with their elders, officers, and judges, stood on both sides of the ark of the covenant of the LORD facing the Levitical priests who carried it. Half of the people stood in front of Mount Gerizim and half of them in front of Mount Ebal, as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded earlier, to bless the people of Israel. Afterward, Joshua read aloud all the words of the law—the blessings and the curses—according to all that is written in the Book of the Law. There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua failed to read before the whole assembly of Israel, including the women, the little ones, and the foreigners who lived among them. |
| 2 | Joshua 6:2–21 | And the LORD said to Joshua, “Behold, I have delivered Jericho into your hand, along with its king and its mighty men of valor. March around the city with all the men of war, circling the city one time. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark. Then on the seventh day, march around the city seven times, while the priests blow the horns. And when there is a long blast of the ram’s horn and you hear its sound, have all the people give a mighty shout. Then the wall of the city will collapse and all your people will charge straight into the city. ” So Joshua son of Nun summoned the priests and said, “Take up the ark of the covenant and have seven priests carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark of the LORD.” And he told the people, “Advance and march around the city, with the armed troops going ahead of the ark of the LORD.” After Joshua had spoken to the people, seven priests carrying seven rams’ horns before the LORD advanced and blew the horns, and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them. While the horns continued to sound, the armed troops marched ahead of the priests who blew the horns, and the rear guard followed the ark. But Joshua had commanded the people: “Do not give a battle cry or let your voice be heard; do not let one word come out of your mouth until the day I tell you to shout. Then you are to shout!” So he had the ark of the LORD carried around the city, circling it once. And the people returned to the camp and spent the night there. Joshua got up early the next morning, and the priests took the ark of the LORD. And the seven priests carrying seven rams’ horns kept marching ahead of the ark of the LORD and blowing the horns. The armed troops went in front of them and the rear guard followed the ark of the LORD, while the horns kept sounding. So on the second day they marched around the city once and returned to the camp. They did this for six days. Then on the seventh day, they got up at dawn and marched around the city seven times in the same manner. That was the only day they circled the city seven times. After the seventh time around, the priests blew the horns, and Joshua commanded the people, “Shout! For the LORD has given you the city! Now the city and everything in it must be devoted to the LORD for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all those with her in her house will live, because she hid the spies we sent. But keep away from the things devoted to destruction, lest you yourself be set apart for destruction. If you take any of these, you will set apart the camp of Israel for destruction and bring disaster upon it. For all the silver and gold and all the articles of bronze and iron are holy to the LORD; they must go into His treasury.” So when the rams’ horns sounded, the people shouted. When they heard the blast of the horn, the people gave a great shout, and the wall collapsed. Then all the people charged straight into the city and captured it. At the edge of the sword they devoted to destruction everything in the city—man and woman, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys. |
| 3 | Joshua 8:1 | Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid or discouraged. Take the whole army with you, and go up and attack Ai. See, I have delivered into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land. |
| 4 | Joshua 8:17 | Not a man was left in Ai or Bethel who did not go out after Israel, leaving the city wide open while they pursued Israel. |
Joshua 12:9 Summary
Joshua 12:9 lists the kings of Jericho and Ai, which were two cities that God had given to the Israelites to conquer. This verse is a reminder of God's power and faithfulness to His people, as seen in Joshua 6:1-27 and Joshua 8:1-29. Just like the Israelites, we can trust God to help us overcome any challenges we face, as promised in Deuteronomy 31:6-8 and Hebrews 13:5-6. By looking back at God's past victories, we can have confidence in His ability to help us in the present and future, as seen in Psalm 107:1-43.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the kings of Jericho and Ai mentioned specifically in Joshua 12:9?
The kings of Jericho and Ai are mentioned because they were significant cities that God had given to the Israelites to conquer, as seen in Joshua 6:1-27 and Joshua 8:1-29, which are examples of God's power and faithfulness to His people, as promised in Deuteronomy 31:6-8 and Hebrews 13:5-6.
What is the significance of Bethel being mentioned in Joshua 12:9?
Bethel was a city that held spiritual significance for the Israelites, as it was a place where God had appeared to Jacob, as recorded in Genesis 28:10-22 and Genesis 35:1-15, and it served as a reminder of God's covenant with His people, as seen in Genesis 28:13-15.
How does the list of kings in Joshua 12:9-11 relate to the rest of the chapter?
The list of kings in Joshua 12:9-11 is a continuation of the description of the lands that Joshua and the Israelites conquered, as mentioned in Joshua 12:7-8, and it highlights the extent of God's power and the Israelites' obedience to His commands, as seen in Deuteronomy 7:1-6 and Joshua 11:16-23.
What can we learn from the fact that each king is listed as 'one' in Joshua 12:9-11?
The fact that each king is listed as 'one' emphasizes the individual victories that God gave to the Israelites, and it highlights the importance of recognizing and giving thanks for each of God's victories in our lives, as seen in Psalm 107:1-43 and 1 Thessalonians 5:18.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that God has given you victory in your life, and how can you give thanks for those victories?
- How does the list of kings in Joshua 12:9-11 encourage you to trust in God's power and faithfulness in your own life?
- What are some spiritual 'strongholds' in your life that you need to trust God to help you conquer, and how can you apply the principles of Joshua 12:9 to those areas?
- How does the mention of Bethel in Joshua 12:9 remind you of God's covenant with His people, and what implications does that have for your own life and relationship with God?
Gill's Exposition on Joshua 12:9
The king of Jericho, one,.... Who was first taken, and so named first, Joshua 6:21; the king of Ai, which [is] beside Bethel, one; who was next taken and though Bethel was so near Ai, it had a king
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Joshua 12:9
Which is beside Beth-el: this is added to distinguish it from Ai of the Ammonites, of which .
Trapp's Commentary on Joshua 12:9
Joshua 12:9 The king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai, which [is] beside Bethel, one;Ver. 9. The king of Jericho, one.] In this one country of Judea - which was not above two hundred miles long, and sixty miles broad: not near the half of England, as good authors compute it - what abundance of kings find we, and what a huge multitude of inhabitants! So here in England of old, were so many cities, so many kings almost. When Caesar entered this island, Kent had four kings that ruled in it: viz., Cingentorix, Carvilius, Taximagulus, and Segonax. Hence Jerome calleth this island Fertilem tyrannorum, full of tyrants.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Joshua 12:9
Verse 9. The king of Jericho, &c.] On this and the following verses see the notes on Joshua 10:1-3.
Cambridge Bible on Joshua 12:9
9. the king of Jericho] The kings are enumerated generally in the order in which they were conquered. For the overthrow of the kings of Jericho, Ai, Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, Eglon, and Gezer see (a) Joshua 6:2 ff.; (b) Joshua 8:29; (c) Joshua 10:1-5; Joshua 10:33.
Whedon's Commentary on Joshua 12:9
7-13. For Baal-gad and Halak see Joshua 11:17. For the Canaanitish tribes see Joshua 3:10. Jericho — See Joshua 2:1. Ai and Bethel — See Joshua 7:2. Jerusalem — See Joshua 10:1.
Sermons on Joshua 12:9
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Angel of the Lord) 03 - Joshua by Ed Miller | In this sermon, the preacher discusses a passage from the book of Joshua where Joshua encounters a man with a drawn sword. Joshua asks if the man is on their side or the enemy's si |
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How Many Christians Weep on Sunday Night by Carter Conlon | This sermon titled 'How Many Christians Weep on Sunday Night?' delves into the story from Numbers chapter 13, emphasizing the importance of overcoming defeat and unbelief by trusti |
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Don't Be Dismayed, God Will Not Fail You by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Joshua in the book of Joshua, chapter 8. The Lord speaks to Joshua and tells him not to fear or be discouraged, as He has given |
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Five Kings in a Cave by J. Wilbur Chapman | J. Wilbur Chapman preaches on the practical and helpful illustrations from the history of the children of Israel, emphasizing the importance of learning from their story as example |