Joshua 13:21
And all the cities of the plain, and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses smote with the princes of Midian, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, which were dukes of Sihon, dwelling in the country.
Original Language Analysis
וְכֹל֙
H3605
וְכֹל֙
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 32
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עָרֵ֣י
And all the cities
H5892
עָרֵ֣י
And all the cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
2 of 32
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
הַמִּישֹׁ֔ר
of the plain
H4334
הַמִּישֹׁ֔ר
of the plain
Strong's:
H4334
Word #:
3 of 32
a level, i.e., a plain (often used (with the article prefix) as a proper name of certain districts); figuratively, concord; also straightness, i.e., (
וְכָֽל
H3605
וְכָֽל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 32
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מַמְלְכ֗וּת
and all the kingdom
H4468
מַמְלְכ֗וּת
and all the kingdom
Strong's:
H4468
Word #:
5 of 32
dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)
הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔י
of the Amorites
H567
הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔י
of the Amorites
Strong's:
H567
Word #:
8 of 32
an emorite, one of the canaanitish tribes
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
9 of 32
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
מָלַ֖ךְ
which reigned
H4427
מָלַ֖ךְ
which reigned
Strong's:
H4427
Word #:
10 of 32
to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel
אֲשֶׁר֩
H834
אֲשֶׁר֩
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 32
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 #:
13 of 32
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
אֹת֣וֹ׀
H853
אֹת֣וֹ׀
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 32
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 32
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
נְשִׂיאֵ֣י
with the princes
H5387
נְשִׂיאֵ֣י
with the princes
Strong's:
H5387
Word #:
17 of 32
properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist
מִדְיָ֗ן
of Midian
H4080
מִדְיָ֗ן
of Midian
Strong's:
H4080
Word #:
18 of 32
midjan, a son of abraham; also his country and (collectively) his descendants
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 32
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
21 of 32
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
רֶ֙קֶם֙
and Rekem
H7552
רֶ֙קֶם֙
and Rekem
Strong's:
H7552
Word #:
22 of 32
rekem, the name of a place in palestine, also of a midianite and an israelite
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
23 of 32
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
25 of 32
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
27 of 32
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
נְסִיכֵ֣י
which were dukes
H5257
נְסִיכֵ֣י
which were dukes
Strong's:
H5257
Word #:
29 of 32
properly, something poured out, i.e., a libation; by implication, a prince (as anointed)
Cross References
Numbers 31:8And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain; namely, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings of Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.Deuteronomy 3:10All the cities of the plain, and all Gilead, and all Bashan, unto Salchah and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan.
Historical Context
Sihon's kingdom stretched from the Arnon River in the south to the Jabbok River in the north, controlling the crucial King's Highway trade route. His defeat around 1406 BC was Israel's first Transjordan conquest, providing land for Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh. This victory also terrified Canaan's inhabitants (Joshua 2:10), preparing the way psychologically for the westward conquest.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the dual agency in conquest (Moses struck/God delivered) inform our understanding of divine sovereignty and human responsibility?
- What does receiving 'all the kingdom' of a defeated enemy foreshadow about believers' complete victory in Christ?
- Why might God have chosen to give Israel's first major victory east of Jordan rather than within Canaan proper?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And all the cities of the plain, and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites—This verse summarizes Reuben's inheritance: the entire Moabite plateau (ha-mishor, הַמִּישֹׁר) and Sihon's former kingdom. Sihon (סִיחוֹן) represents Israel's first major military victory west of the wilderness, a defining moment when God demonstrated His faithfulness to the new generation after forty years of judgment. The comprehensive phrase "all the kingdom" emphasizes total victory and complete transference of sovereignty.
Which reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses smote—The verb nakah (נָכָה, "to strike/smote") recalls the decisive defeat in Numbers 21. The text attributes victory to Moses, but Numbers 21:34 records God's command: "Fear him not: for I have delivered him into thy hand." This dual agency—human obedience and divine power—characterizes Israel's conquest. Moses struck, but God delivered. The passive voice in Joshua's rehearsal focuses on completed action: Sihon was defeated, his kingdom given, the promise fulfilled.