Joshua 12:7
And these are the kings of the country which Joshua and the children of Israel smote on this side Jordan on the west, from Baal-gad in the valley of Lebanon even unto the mount Halak, that goeth up to Seir; which Joshua gave unto the tribes of Israel for a possession according to their divisions;
Original Language Analysis
אֲשֶׁר֩
H834
אֲשֶׁר֩
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הִכָּ֨ה
smote
H5221
הִכָּ֨ה
smote
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
5 of 26
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
וּבְנֵ֣י
and the children
H1121
וּבְנֵ֣י
and the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
7 of 26
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
8 of 26
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
בְּעֵ֤בֶר
on this side
H5676
בְּעֵ֤בֶר
on this side
Strong's:
H5676
Word #:
9 of 26
properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning
יָ֔מָּה
on the west
H3220
יָ֔מָּה
on the west
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
11 of 26
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
בְּבִקְעַ֣ת
in the valley
H1237
בְּבִקְעַ֣ת
in the valley
Strong's:
H1237
Word #:
14 of 26
properly, a split, i.e., a wide level valley between mountains
וְעַד
H5704
וְעַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
16 of 26
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
הָהָ֥ר
even unto the mount
H2022
הָהָ֥ר
even unto the mount
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
17 of 26
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
הָֽעֹלֶ֣ה
that goeth up
H5927
הָֽעֹלֶ֣ה
that goeth up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
19 of 26
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
שֵׂעִ֑ירָה
to Seir
H8165
שֵׂעִ֑ירָה
to Seir
Strong's:
H8165
Word #:
20 of 26
seir, a mountain of idumaea and its indigenous occupants, also one in palestine
וַיִּתְּנָ֨הּ
gave
H5414
וַיִּתְּנָ֨הּ
gave
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
21 of 26
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ
which Joshua
H3091
יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ
which Joshua
Strong's:
H3091
Word #:
22 of 26
jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader
לְשִׁבְטֵ֧י
unto the tribes
H7626
לְשִׁבְטֵ֧י
unto the tribes
Strong's:
H7626
Word #:
23 of 26
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
24 of 26
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Historical Context
This catalog (12:7-24) functions as a victory monument in literary form, comparable to Egyptian and Mesopotamian king lists. Archaeological surveys confirm widespread destruction layers at many sites ca. 1400-1200 BC. The geographic markers—Baal-gad (likely modern Banias) and Mount Halak (near Petra)—establish historiographic precision, not myth.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the emphasis on 31 defeated kings demonstrate that spiritual victory often requires multiple, specific battles rather than one dramatic conquest?
- What does the dual reality—Joshua 'smote' and 'gave'—teach about human responsibility and divine sovereignty working together?
- How should viewing your inheritance as <em>nachalah</em> (covenant gift) rather than earned possession transform your relationship with what God provides?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And these are the kings of the country which Joshua and the children of Israel smote on this side Jordan on the west—This heading introduces the catalog of western conquests, distinct from the Transjordan victories (12:1-6). The Hebrew melek (מֶלֶךְ, 'king') appears 31 times in this chapter, emphasizing that Israel defeated not mere tribes but organized city-states with centralized power. From Baal-gad in the valley of Lebanon even unto the mount Halak, that goeth up to Seir defines the conquest's north-south extent—approximately 300 miles.
The phrase which Joshua gave unto the tribes of Israel for a possession according to their divisions employs nachalah (נַחֲלָה), 'inheritance'—land received not by conquest alone but by divine gift. The conquest demonstrated God's power; the distribution demonstrated His covenant faithfulness. Every inch of Canaan was both won by human obedience and granted by sovereign grace.