Joshua 12:1

Authorized King James Version

Now these are the kings of the land, which the children of Israel smote, and possessed their land on the other side Jordan toward the rising of the sun, from the river Arnon unto mount Hermon, and all the plain on the east:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאֵ֣לֶּה׀
these or those
#2
מַלְכֵ֣י
Now these are the kings
a king
#3
אַרְצָ֔ם
of the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#4
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#5
הִכּ֤וּ
smote
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
#6
בְנֵֽי
which 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
#7
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#8
וַיִּֽרְשׁ֣וּ
and possessed
to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish
#9
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#10
אַרְצָ֔ם
of the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#11
בְּעֵ֥בֶר
on the other side
properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning
#12
הַיַּרְדֵּ֖ן
Jordan
jarden, the principal river of palestine
#13
מִזְרָֽחָה׃
on the east
sunrise, i.e., the east
#14
הַשָּׁ֑מֶשׁ
of the sun
the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement
#15
מִנַּ֤חַל
from the river
a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)
#16
אַרְנוֹן֙
Arnon
the arnon, a river east of the jordan, also its territory
#17
עַד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#18
הַ֣ר
unto mount
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
#19
חֶרְמ֔וֹן
Hermon
chermon, a mount of palestine
#20
וְכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#21
הָֽעֲרָבָ֖ה
and all the plain
a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the jordan and its continuation to the red sea
#22
מִזְרָֽחָה׃
on the east
sunrise, i.e., the east

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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