Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryJoshua 12

Joshua 12:1 – Summary of Israel’s Conquests This section summarizes all the land Israel conquered before and during Joshua’s leadership. Before listing Joshua’s victories, the writer remembers the earlier victories under Moses, when Israel defeated the strong kingdoms of Sihon and Og. It is important not to forget past blessings while celebrating new ones. Both Moses and Joshua served the same God, and together their victories show God’s power to save Israel. The passage first describes the land taken from Sihon and Og, then explains how this land was given to two and a half tribes. The story reminds us that the law (Moses) brought some blessings, but Joshua (a picture of Jesus) brings even greater blessings, especially spiritual ones.v. 1: The area Israel conquered before crossing the Jordan is described. It stretched from the river Arnon in the south to Mount Hermon in the north (v. 1 ).

v. 2–3: These verses tell about the kingdom of Sihon, which Israel took. The land’s borders and important cities are listed (vv. 2, 3 ).

v. 4–5: The kingdom of Og, king of Bashan, is described. He had royal cities at Ashtaroth and Edrei, but Israel conquered both. This shows that even powerful kings could not stand against God’s people (vv. 4, 5 ).

v. 6: Moses gave this conquered land east of the Jordan to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, just as they requested (v. 6; Numbers 32:1-42 ). This division was an example for Joshua as he would later divide the land west of the Jordan.

Joshua 12:7 – Breviate of Joshua’s Conquests This section gives a summary of all the land and kings that Joshua and the Israelites conquered west of the Jordan River. The passage describes the borders of the land, the types of land and people living there, and lists the kings who were defeated. It shows how God kept His promise to give the land to Israel and how He helped them win many victories. The number of kings and the description of the land help us see how rich and plentiful Canaan was at that time, and how much God had given to His people.v. 7: The land Joshua conquered stretched from the Jordan River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, and from Baal-gad near Mount Lebanon in the north to Mount Halak near Edom in the south (v. 7 ). This matches the boundaries God promised to Israel (Numbers 34:2-12 ).

v. 8: The land had mountains, fertile valleys, plains, springs, and even wilderness areas. These different types of land made it both beautiful and fruitful (v. 8; Deuteronomy 33:15 ; Psalm 65:13 ). There were also forests and less-inhabited areas that balanced the richer regions.

v. 9–24: The land was home to many nations: Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites (vv. 9–24 ). The passage lists thirty-one kings that Joshua defeated, starting with Jericho and Ai, and including the kings of the south and north. This shows how many kingdoms existed in Canaan and how powerful God was to give Israel victory over them all. Each tribe received its share of these kingdoms. God’s faithfulness and mercy are seen in giving the land to Israel as an inheritance (Psalm 105:44,45; Psalm 136:17-24 ).