Joshua 10:12

Authorized King James Version

Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אָ֣ז
at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore
#2
יְדַבֵּ֤ר
Then spake
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#3
יְהוֹשֻׁעַ֙
Joshua
jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader
#4
יְהוָה֙
to the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#5
בְּי֗וֹם
in the day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#6
תֵּ֤ת
delivered up
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#7
יְהוָה֙
to the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#8
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#9
הָ֣אֱמֹרִ֔י
the Amorites
an emorite, one of the canaanitish tribes
#10
לִפְנֵ֖י
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#11
בְּנֵ֣י
the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#12
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#13
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר׀
and he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#14
לְעֵינֵ֣י
in the sight
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#15
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#16
שֶׁ֚מֶשׁ
Sun
the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement
#17
בְּגִבְע֣וֹן
upon Gibeon
gibon, a place in palestine
#18
דּ֔וֹם
stand thou still
to be dumb; by implication, to be astonished, to stop; also to perish
#19
וְיָרֵ֖חַ
and thou Moon
the moon
#20
בְּעֵ֥מֶק
in the valley
a vale (i.e., broad depression)
#21
אַיָּלֽוֹן׃
of Ajalon
ajalon, the name of five places in palestine

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Joshua Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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