Tyndale Open Study NotesJoshua 12

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.

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).

• 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.

Sihon controlled the northern Jordan Valley up to the Sea of Galilee, but not northern Gilead (see Numbers 21:24–25; Joshua 12:5).

• Beth-jeshimoth was where Israel camped in the plains of Moab (Numbers 33:49).

• Moses viewed the promised land from Mount Pisgah (Deuteronomy 34:1).

• 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.

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.

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.

• 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.

Hittites … Jebusites: See study note on 3:10.