Joshua 12:11 — Word Study
WLCמֶ֤לֶךְ יַרְמוּת֙ אֶחָ֔ד מֶ֥לֶךְ לָכִ֖ישׁ אֶחָֽד׃
BSAthe kingmelek [ruler, sovereign] of JarmuthYarmûwth [heights, a city in Palestine] oneʼechâd [a single, unique monarch] the kingmelek [royal person, monarch] of LachishLâkîysh [a city in Palestine, south of Jerusalem] oneʼechâd [a single, unified ruler]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| מֶ֤לֶךְ | [the] king of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| יַרְמוּת֙ | Jarmuth | Noun proper |
| אֶחָ֔ד | one | Adj |
| מֶ֥לֶךְ | [the] king of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| לָכִ֖ישׁ | Lachish | Noun proper |
| אֶחָֽד׃ | one | Adj |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | the king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one; |
| KJV | The king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one; |
| ASV | the king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one; |
| YLT | The king of Jarmuth, one; The king of Lachish, one; |
| WEB | the king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one; |
| BBE | The king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one; |
Where they part company is in the translation of the term 'king' — see How Translations Differ.
Two main clauses with a parallel structure, emphasizing the kings and their respective cities.
2 commentators on this verse
Gill, Whedon & more — read them ›
clause
subjectאֶחָד
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Joshua 12:11
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Kings Defeated by Israelgenerated
Joshua 12:11 continues the account of the kings defeated by Israel as they entered the Promised Land, specifically noting the kings of Jarmuth and Lachish. This list serves to document the victories and territorial claims of Israel as they established themselves in Canaan, highlighting the importance of these cities in the region.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joshua 10:3–23 | Therefore Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem sent word to Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish, and Debir king of Eglon, saying, |
| 2 | Joshua 10:3–23 | Therefore Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem sent word to Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish, and Debir king of Eglon, saying, |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 2 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — מֶ֫לֶךְ, Me.lekhgenerated
The Hebrew word מֶ֫לֶךְ (*melek*) means 'king' and refers to a royal person or sovereign. It is derived from a root that suggests royalty and is used throughout the Bible to denote rulers of Israel, such as King David and King Saul.
The parsing as a masculine singular construct indicates that this term is used to describe a specific king in relation to a city or territory. In this verse, it emphasizes the authority of the kings over Jarmuth and Lachish.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The structure of this verse consists of two main clauses, each beginning with a noun phrase: מֶ֫לֶךְ (*king*) followed by the name of the city and concluding with the word for אֶחָד (*one*). This parallel structure emphasizes the listing of kings and their respective cities.
The repetition of the phrase 'the king of' highlights the significance of each ruler in the context of Israel's conquests, establishing a rhythm in the enumeration of defeated kings.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew מֶ֫לֶךְ is translated as βασιλέα (*basileus*), which also means 'king.' This choice reflects a direct correspondence in meaning, maintaining the royal connotation of the Hebrew term.
The translation of יַרְמוּת as ιεριμουθ shows a consistent rendering of the city names, affirming the geographical and historical context of the narrative.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Joshua 12:11 lists the kings of Jarmuth and Lachish, both of which were cities conquered by Israel. Each king is noted as a unique ruler of their respective city, emphasizing the victories Israel achieved in Canaan.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The term 'king' refers to the ruler of a city, indicating authority and governance over that territory.
These cities were part of the land conquered by Israel, representing key victories in their establishment in the Promised Land.
This verse is part of a broader account detailing the kings defeated by Israel, showcasing God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to the Israelites.
The listing serves to document Israel's conquests and the fulfillment of God's promises, highlighting the importance of remembering these victories.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does this verse teach us about God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises?
- How can understanding the significance of these cities impact our view of the conquest narrative?
- In what ways can we recognize the authority of God in our lives, similar to the kings mentioned?
- How does the historical context of these cities enhance our understanding of the biblical narrative?
Commentators on this verse — 2 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Joshua 12:11 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThe king of Jarmuth, one,.... Whose name was Piram, a third of the five kings before observed, Joshua 10:3; the king of Lachish, one; another of them, whose name was Japhia, Joshua 10:3.
Read John Gill on Joshua 12 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible7-13. 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.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Joshua 12 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
the king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one;
the king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one;
the king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one;
the king of Jarmuth (one), the king of Lachish (one),
Tyndale line
The king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one;
the king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one;
the king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one;
The king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one;
The King of Iarmuth, one: the King of Lachish, one:
Strictly literal
the king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one;
The king of Jarmuth, one; The king of Lachish, one;
the king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one;
The king of Yarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one;
the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish,
From the Latin
The king of Jerimoth one, the king of Lachis one,
Simplified
The king of Jarmuth. The king of Lachish.
The king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one;
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree in this verse, with four of the six words matched. The Septuagint's word order and articles differ, but the essential content aligns with the Hebrew text.
מֶ֤לֶךְ יַרְמוּת֙ אֶחָ֔ד מֶ֥לֶךְ לָכִ֖ישׁ אֶחָֽד׃
4 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Joshua 12:11
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word מֶ֫לֶךְ (*melek*) means 'king.' It is derived from a root that suggests royalty. The term appears in various contexts, including references to specific kings and locations, such as the 'King's Highway' in Numbers 20:17 and the 'King's Valley' in Genesis 14:17. The lexicons note its Aramaic equivalent and mention its use in the context of individuals like Hammelech in Jeremiah.
מֶ֫לֶךְ 2513 n.m. king
base
H4428 מֶ֫לֶךְ king
4428 melek meh'-lek
from 4427; a king:--king, royal.
see HEBREW for 04427
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — king.
1) king
Aramaic equivalent: me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "king" H4430)
הַמֶּלֶךְ (me.lekh) — `the king`.
'the king' or a name, Hammelech in KJV of Jer.36.26; 38.6- a man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;
father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";
§ A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;
father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
King's (Highway) (Num.20.17)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
Another name of she.lach (שֶׁ֫לַח "Shelah" H7975A)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — Milcom.
Another name of mo.lekh (מֹ֫לֶךְ "Molech" H4432)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
יַרְמוּת (yar-moot) refers to Jarmuth, which means "heights." It denotes two locations in Palestine: a Canaanite city with a king situated between Hebron and Lachish, and a Levitical city in Issachar assigned to the Gershonite Levites. The word is derived from H7311, indicating elevation.
יַרְמוּת n.pr.loc.
Canaanitish city, with a king, named between Hebron and Lachish
Levitical city in Issachar
base
H3412 יַרְמוּת
3412 Yarmuwth yar-mooth'
from 7311; elevation; Jarmuth, the name of two places in
Palestine:--Jarmuth.
see HEBREW for 07311
יַרְמוּת (yar.mut) — Jarmuth.
§ Jarmuth = "heights"
a Canaanitish city in the lowlands of Judah with a king and located between Hebron and Lachish
יַרְמוּת (yar.mut) — Jarmuth.
§ Jarmuth = "heights"
a Levitical city of Issachar allocated to the Gershonite Levites
N-proper — Noun properHNpl
jar'-muth (yarmuth:
(1) A city of the Canaanites in the Shephelah (Jos 15:35) of Judah whose "king," Piram, joined the league of the "five kings" against Joshua (Jos 10:3-5), was defeated at Gibeon and slain at Makkedah (10:23). One of the 31 "kings" defeated in Joshua' s campaign (Jos 12:11). In Jos 15:35 it is mentioned in conjunction with Adullam, Socoh and Azekah, and in Ne 11:29 with Zorah, Zanoah and Adullam. Cheyne (Encyclopedia Biblica) suggests that the "Maroth" of Mic 1:12 may be a copyist's error for Jarmuth. In Eusebius, Onomasticon (OS2 132 31; 266 38)…
Jarmuth
Height. (1.) A town in the plain of Judah (Josh. 15:35), originally the residence of one of the Canaanitish kings (10:3, 5, 23). It has been identified with the modern Yarmuk, a village about 7 miles north-east of Beit-Jibrin.
(2.) A Levitical city of the tribe of Issachar (Josh. 21:29), supposed by some to be the Ramah of Samuel (1 Sam. 19:22).
(high). A town in the low country of Judah. (Joshua 16:35) Its king, Piram, was one of the five who conspired. to punish Gibeon for having made alliance with Israel, (Joshua 10:3,5) and who were routed at Beth-horon and put to death by Joshua at Makkedah. ver. 33. Its site is probably the modern Yarmuk . A city of Issachar allotted with its suburbs to the Gershonite Levites. (Joshua 21:29)
fearing, or seeing, or throwing down, death
אֶחָד (echad) means 'one' and is derived from a numeral. It encompasses meanings such as each, every, a certain, and can serve as an indefinite article. It is also used as an ordinal to denote 'first' and appears in various combinations, including eleven. The entries consistently emphasize its numerical and qualitative aspects.
אֶחָד 972 adj.num. one
one
= each, every
= a certain
= indef. art.
only, & (fem.) once
one … another, one … the other
as ordinal first
in combin.
base
H259 אֶחָד one . one
. = each, every
. = a certain
. = indef. art.
. only, & (fem.) once
. one … another, one … the other
. as ordinal first
. in combin.
259 'echad ekh-awd'
a numeral from 258; properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an
ordinal) first:--a, alike, alone, altogether, and,
any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-)ly, each (one), +
eleven, every, few, first, + highway, a man, once, one, only,
other, some, together,
see HEBREW for 0258
אֶחָד (e.chad) — one.
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)
Adj — AdjHAcfsa
wun.
See NUMBER.
The Hebrew word מֶ֫לֶךְ (*melek*) means 'king.' It is derived from a root that suggests royalty. The term appears in various contexts, including references to specific kings and locations, such as the 'King's Highway' in Numbers 20:17 and the 'King's Valley' in Genesis 14:17. The lexicons note its Aramaic equivalent and mention its use in the context of individuals like Hammelech in Jeremiah.
מֶ֫לֶךְ 2513 n.m. king
base
H4428 מֶ֫לֶךְ king
4428 melek meh'-lek
from 4427; a king:--king, royal.
see HEBREW for 04427
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — king.
1) king
Aramaic equivalent: me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "king" H4430)
הַמֶּלֶךְ (me.lekh) — `the king`.
'the king' or a name, Hammelech in KJV of Jer.36.26; 38.6- a man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;
father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";
§ A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;
father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
King's (Highway) (Num.20.17)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
Another name of she.lach (שֶׁ֫לַח "Shelah" H7975A)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — Milcom.
Another name of mo.lekh (מֹ֫לֶךְ "Molech" H4432)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
לָכִישׁ (Lachish) refers to a city in ancient Palestine, specifically a Canaanitish city associated with the Amorites. The name is thought to mean 'invincible.' It is located south of Jerusalem and was conquered by Joshua, later being allotted to the tribe of Judah.
לָכִישׁ n.pr.loc. Canaanitish (Amorit.) city
base
H3923 לָכִישׁ Canaanitish (Amorit.) city
3923 Lachiysh law-keesh'
from an unused root of uncertain meaning; Lakish, a place in
Palestine:--Lachish.
לָכִישׁ (la.khish) — Lachish.
§ Lachish = "invincible"
a city lying south of Jerusalem on the borders of Simeon and which belonged to the Amorites until conquered by Joshua and allotted to Judah
N-proper — Noun properHNpl
la'-kish (lakhish; Septuagint Lachis (Jos 15:39), Maches):
1. Location:
A town in the foothills of the Shephelah on the border of the Philistine plain, belonging to Judah, and, from the mention of Eglon in connection with it, evidently in the southwestern portion of Judah's territory. Eusebius, Onomasticon locates it 7 miles from Eleutheropolis (Beit Jibrin) toward Daroma, but as the latter place is uncertain, the indication does not help in fixing the site of Lachish. The city seems to have been abandoned about 400 BC, and this circumstance has rendered the identification of the site difficult. It was formerly fixed at Umm Lakis, from the similarity of the name and because it was in the region that the Biblical references to Lachish seem to indicate, but the mound called Tell el-Hesy is now generally accepted as the site. This was…
Lachish
Impregnable, a royal Canaanitish city in the Shephelah, or maritime plain of Palestine (Josh. 10:3, 5; 12:11). It was taken and destroyed by the Israelites (Josh. 10:31-33). It afterwards became, under Rehoboam, one of the strongest fortresses of Judah (2 Chr. 10:9). It was assaulted and probably taken by Sennacherib (2 Kings 18:14, 17; 19:8; Isa. 36:2). An account of this siege is given on some slabs found in the chambers of the palace of Koyunjik, and now in the British Museum. The inscription has been deciphered as follows:, “Sennacherib, the mighty king, king of the country of Assyria, sitting on the throne…
(invincible), a city lying south of Jerusalem, on the borders of Simeon, and belonging to the Amorites, the king of which joined with four others, at the invitation of Adonizedek king of Jerusalem, to chastise the Gibeonites for their league with Israel. (Joshua 10:3,5) They were routed by Joshua at Beth-horon, and the king of Lachish fell a victim with the others under the trees at Makkedah. ver. (Joshua 10:26) The destruction of the town shortly followed the death of the king. vs. (Joshua 10:31-33) In the special statement that the attack lasted two days, in contradistinction to the other cities which were taken in one (see ver. 35), we gain our first glimpse of that strength of position for which Lachish was afterward…
A city in the southwest part of Judah, Jos 10:3,5,31; fortified by Rehoboam, 2Ch 11:9, and strong enough to resist for a time the whole army of Sennacherib, 2Ki 18:17 19:8 2Ch 32:1,9,21 Mic 1:13. It was here that king Amaziah was slain, 2Ki 14:19. For a wonderful confirmation of the truth of Scripture, see SENNACHERIB.
אֶחָד (echad) means 'one' and is derived from a numeral. It encompasses meanings such as each, every, a certain, and can serve as an indefinite article. It is also used as an ordinal to denote 'first' and appears in various combinations, including eleven. The entries consistently emphasize its numerical and qualitative aspects.
אֶחָד 972 adj.num. one
one
= each, every
= a certain
= indef. art.
only, & (fem.) once
one … another, one … the other
as ordinal first
in combin.
base
H259 אֶחָד one . one
. = each, every
. = a certain
. = indef. art.
. only, & (fem.) once
. one … another, one … the other
. as ordinal first
. in combin.
259 'echad ekh-awd'
a numeral from 258; properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an
ordinal) first:--a, alike, alone, altogether, and,
any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-)ly, each (one), +
eleven, every, few, first, + highway, a man, once, one, only,
other, some, together,
see HEBREW for 0258
אֶחָד (e.chad) — one.
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)
Adj — AdjHAcfsa
wun.
See NUMBER.