Joshua 12:5

Authorized King James Version

And reigned in mount Hermon, and in Salcah, and in all Bashan, unto the border of the Geshurites and the Maachathites, and half Gilead, the border of Sihon king of Heshbon.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּ֠מֹשֵׁל
And reigned
to rule
#2
בְּהַ֨ר
in mount
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
#3
חֶרְמ֤וֹן
Hermon
chermon, a mount of palestine
#4
וּבְסַלְכָה֙
and in Salcah
salcah, a place east of the jordan
#5
וּבְכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#6
הַבָּשָׁ֔ן
and in all Bashan
bashan (often with the article), a region east of the jordan
#7
עַד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#8
גְּב֖וּל
the border
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
#9
הַגְּשׁוּרִ֖י
of the Geshurites
a geshurite (also collectively) or inhabitants of geshur
#10
וְהַמַּֽעֲכָתִ֑י
and the Maachathites
a maakathite, or inhabitant of maakah
#11
וַֽחֲצִי֙
and half
the half or middle
#12
הַגִּלְעָ֔ד
Gilead
gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites
#13
גְּב֖וּל
the border
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
#14
סִיח֥וֹן
of Sihon
sichon, an amoritish king
#15
מֶֽלֶךְ
king
a king
#16
חֶשְׁבּֽוֹן׃
of Heshbon
cheshbon, a place east of the jordan

Analysis

The kingdom of God theme here intersects with the progressive revelation of God's rule from creation to consummation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of development from creation mandate through Davidic kingdom to eschatological fulfillment. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's reign from creation through the millennial kingdom.

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 kingdom of God 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 revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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