Joshua 10:5

Authorized King James Version

Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֵּאָֽסְפ֨וּ
gathered themselves together
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
#2
וַֽיַּעֲל֜וּ
and went up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#3
חֲמֵ֣שֶׁת׀
Therefore the five
five
#4
מֶֽלֶךְ
kings
a king
#5
הָֽאֱמֹרִ֗י
of the Amorites
an emorite, one of the canaanitish tribes
#6
מֶֽלֶךְ
kings
a king
#7
יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֜ם
of Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
#8
מֶֽלֶךְ
kings
a king
#9
חֶבְר֤וֹן
of Hebron
chebron, the name of two israelites
#10
מֶֽלֶךְ
kings
a king
#11
יַרְמוּת֙
of Jarmuth
jarmuth, the name of two places in palestine
#12
מֶֽלֶךְ
kings
a king
#13
לָכִ֣ישׁ
of Lachish
lakish, a place in palestine
#14
מֶֽלֶךְ
kings
a king
#15
עֶגְל֔וֹן
of Eglon
eglon, the name of a place in palestine and of a moabitish king
#16
הֵ֖ם
they (only used when emphatic)
#17
וְכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#18
מַֽחֲנֵיהֶ֑ם
they and all their hosts
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
#19
וַֽיַּחֲנוּ֙
and encamped
properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening); specifically, to pitch a tent; generally to encamp (for abode or s
#20
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#21
גִּבְע֔וֹן
before Gibeon
gibon, a place in palestine
#22
וַיִּֽלָּחֲמ֖וּ
and made war
to feed on; figuratively, to consume
#23
עָלֶֽיהָ׃
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Joshua. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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