Joshua 10 Study Notes: The Sun Stands Still at Gibeon
Five Amorite kings attack Gibeon, and Joshua comes to its rescue as the LORD routs the enemy with panic and hailstones. At Joshua’s prayer the sun and moon halt until the battle is won, the five kings are captured, and Israel takes the cities of the south as the LORD commanded.
General
Why was Jerusalem’s king, Adoni-zedek, so alarmed (10:1-2)?
Answer: Gibeon, a great and strong city, had sided with Israel
Adoni-zedek received word that Joshua had taken Ai and devoted Ai to destruction (that is, wholly given it over to God’s judgment), treating it as he had treated Jericho, and that Gibeon had come to terms with Israel and now lived alongside it (10:1). This frightened him because Gibeon was an important city, like a royal city, bigger than Ai, and its men were strong fighters (10:2). Losing such a city to Israel’s side was a serious blow. Moses had sung that the peoples of Canaan would melt in terror at what the LORD did (Exodus 15:14-16), and God had promised to put the fear of Israel on the whole land (Deuteronomy 11:25).
- Joshua 10:1-2 (BSB)“Now Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem heard that Joshua had captured Ai and devoted it to destruction—doing to Ai and its king as he had done to Jericho and its king—and that the people of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and were living near them. So Adoni-zedek and his people were greatly alarmed, because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities; it was larger than Ai, and all its men were mighty.”Jerusalem’s king hears of Ai’s fall and Gibeon’s peace with Israel and is deeply alarmed.
- Exodus 15:14-16 (BSB)“The nations will hear and tremble; anguish will grip the dwellers of Philistia. Then the chiefs of Edom will be dismayed; trembling will seize the leaders of Moab; those who dwell in Canaan will melt away, and terror and dread will fall on them. By the power of Your arm they will be as still as a stone until Your people pass by, O LORD, until the people You have bought pass by.”Moses’ song foretold that the peoples of Canaan would be seized with terror at the LORD’s deeds.
- Deuteronomy 11:25 (BSB)“No man will be able to stand against you; the LORD your God will put the fear and dread of you upon all the land, wherever you set foot, as He has promised you.”God promised to put the fear and dread of Israel on the whole land.
Theological
What news provoked Jerusalem’s king, Adoni-zedek, to great alarm (10:1-2)?
Answer: Gibeon, a great and strong city, had sided with Israel
Adoni-zedek learns of two developments: Ai has fallen and been devoted to destruction like Jericho, and Gibeon has concluded a covenant with Israel, living near Israel (10:1). The second is the more ominous, since Gibeon was a major city on the level of a royal city, larger than Ai, with formidable warriors (10:2). The terror fulfills Moses’ song at the sea, which foresaw Canaan’s inhabitants melting before the LORD (Exodus 15:14-16), and God’s promise to lay the dread of Israel on all the land (Deuteronomy 11:25).
- Joshua 10:1-2 (BSB)“Now Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem heard that Joshua had captured Ai and devoted it to destruction—doing to Ai and its king as he had done to Jericho and its king—and that the people of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and were living near them. So Adoni-zedek and his people were greatly alarmed, because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities; it was larger than Ai, and all its men were mighty.”Jerusalem’s king hears of Ai’s fall and Gibeon’s peace with Israel and is deeply alarmed.
- Exodus 15:14-16 (BSB)“The nations will hear and tremble; anguish will grip the dwellers of Philistia. Then the chiefs of Edom will be dismayed; trembling will seize the leaders of Moab; those who dwell in Canaan will melt away, and terror and dread will fall on them. By the power of Your arm they will be as still as a stone until Your people pass by, O LORD, until the people You have bought pass by.”Moses’ song foretold that the peoples of Canaan would be seized with terror at the LORD’s deeds.
- Deuteronomy 11:25 (BSB)“No man will be able to stand against you; the LORD your God will put the fear and dread of you upon all the land, wherever you set foot, as He has promised you.”God promised to put the fear and dread of Israel on the whole land.
General
True or False: Joshua left the bodies of the five kings hanging overnight as a warning to other cities.
Answer: False
This is false. After the kings were put to death, their bodies were hung on trees only until evening; when the sun set, Joshua ordered them taken down and placed in the cave where the kings had hidden, and large stones were set at its entrance, where they remained (10:26-27). This matched God’s law that a body hanged on a tree must not stay there overnight, so that the land would not be defiled (Deuteronomy 21:22-23). He had done the same earlier with Ai’s king (8:29).
- Joshua 10:26-27 (BSB)“After this, Joshua struck down and killed the kings, and he hung their bodies on five trees and left them there until evening. At sunset Joshua ordered that they be taken down from the trees and thrown into the cave in which they had hidden. Then large stones were placed against the mouth of the cave, and the stones are there to this day.”The five kings are executed, and at sunset their bodies are taken down and placed in the cave.
- Deuteronomy 21:22-23 (BSB)“If a man has committed a sin worthy of death, and he is executed, and you hang his body on a tree, you must not leave the body on the tree overnight, but you must be sure to bury him that day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse. You must not defile the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.”The law required that a hanged body not remain on a tree overnight but be buried that day.
- Joshua 8:29 (BSB)“He hung the king of Ai on a tree until evening, and at sunset Joshua commanded that they take down the body from the tree and throw it down at the entrance of the city gate. And over it they raised a large pile of rocks, which remains to this day.”Joshua had followed the same law with the king of Ai, taking the body down at sunset.
Theological
True or False: Joshua kept the five kings’ bodies on display through the night as a warning to other cities.
Answer: False
This is false. The executed kings’ bodies were displayed on trees only till evening; when the sun went down Joshua had them removed and placed in their hiding cave, which was sealed with large stones that remained (10:26-27). Joshua’s action matched the Mosaic stipulation that a hanged body not remain overnight lest the land be defiled (Deuteronomy 21:22-23), as he had earlier with Ai’s king (8:29).
- Joshua 10:26-27 (BSB)“After this, Joshua struck down and killed the kings, and he hung their bodies on five trees and left them there until evening. At sunset Joshua ordered that they be taken down from the trees and thrown into the cave in which they had hidden. Then large stones were placed against the mouth of the cave, and the stones are there to this day.”The five kings are executed, and at sunset their bodies are taken down and placed in the cave.
- Deuteronomy 21:22-23 (BSB)“If a man has committed a sin worthy of death, and he is executed, and you hang his body on a tree, you must not leave the body on the tree overnight, but you must be sure to bury him that day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse. You must not defile the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.”The law required that a hanged body not remain on a tree overnight but be buried that day.
- Joshua 8:29 (BSB)“He hung the king of Ai on a tree until evening, and at sunset Joshua commanded that they take down the body from the tree and throw it down at the entrance of the city gate. And over it they raised a large pile of rocks, which remains to this day.”Joshua had followed the same law with the king of Ai, taking the body down at sunset.
General
According to 10:13, in what written record was the stopping of the sun also recorded?
Answer: The Book of Jashar
The text points its readers to the Book of Jashar, which recorded that the sun halted in mid-sky and did not go down for about a whole day (10:13). The same book is named as the place where David’s mourning song over Saul and Jonathan was written (2 Samuel 1:17-18). Scripture sometimes cites other written records like this, such as a record of the LORD’s wars (Numbers 21:14). By appealing to a written account, the text presents the event as a remembered fact of Israel’s history.
- Joshua 10:13 (BSB)“So the sun stood still and the moon stopped until the nation took vengeance upon its enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? “So the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day.””The text cites the Book of Jashar as a record of the sun stopping in the middle of the sky.
- 2 Samuel 1:17-18 (BSB)“Then David took up this lament for Saul and his son Jonathan, and he ordered that the sons of Judah be taught the Song of the Bow. It is written in the Book of Jashar:”David’s lament over Saul and Jonathan is also said to be written in the Book of Jashar.
- Numbers 21:14 (BSB)“Therefore it is stated in the Book of the Wars of the LORD: “Waheb in Suphah and the wadis of the Arnon,”Scripture elsewhere cites another written record, the Book of the Wars of the LORD, in the same way.
Theological
What written source does 10:13 cite for the account of the sun halting in mid-sky?
Answer: The Book of Jashar
The narrator appeals to the Book of Jashar as recording that the sun halted in mid-heaven and delayed its setting for roughly a whole day (10:13). The same work is cited as containing David’s lament over Saul and Jonathan (2 Samuel 1:17-18), and Scripture similarly cites a written record of the LORD’s wars (Numbers 21:14). The citation of a known record presents the event as part of Israel’s attested history.
- Joshua 10:13 (BSB)“So the sun stood still and the moon stopped until the nation took vengeance upon its enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? “So the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day.””The text cites the Book of Jashar as a record of the sun stopping in the middle of the sky.
- 2 Samuel 1:17-18 (BSB)“Then David took up this lament for Saul and his son Jonathan, and he ordered that the sons of Judah be taught the Song of the Bow. It is written in the Book of Jashar:”David’s lament over Saul and Jonathan is also said to be written in the Book of Jashar.
- Numbers 21:14 (BSB)“Therefore it is stated in the Book of the Wars of the LORD: “Waheb in Suphah and the wadis of the Arnon,”Scripture elsewhere cites another written record, the Book of the Wars of the LORD, in the same way.
General
What reason does 10:40 give for the complete destruction Joshua carried out across the southern region?
Answer: He was carrying out the command of Israel’s God
In the southern campaign Joshua took Makkedah, Libnah, Lachish, Eglon, Hebron, and Debir, with none left alive, and the text repeatedly says he devoted the people to destruction, meaning they were wholly given over to God’s judgment (10:28-39). Verse 40 sums it up: he did this just as Israel’s God had commanded. That command, given through Moses, was meant to keep the nations of the land from teaching Israel their detestable worship (Deuteronomy 20:16-18). It was God’s judgment on long-standing evil: He had waited generations for the Amorites’ sin to reach its full measure (Genesis 15:16), the land itself was defiled by their practices (Leviticus 18:24-25), and Israel was not being rewarded for its own goodness (Deuteronomy 9:4-5). This was a unique act God commanded at one moment in His plan, not a pattern for any later people, and the same book shows Him sparing those who turned to Him, such as Rahab and the Gibeonites.
- Joshua 10:40 (BSB)“So Joshua conquered the whole region—the hill country, the Negev, the foothills, and the slopes, together with all their kings—leaving no survivors. He devoted to destruction everything that breathed, just as the LORD, the God of Israel, had commanded.”The summary of the southern campaign states that Joshua acted as the LORD, the God of Israel, had commanded.
- Deuteronomy 20:16-18 (BSB)“However, in the cities of the nations that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you must not leave alive anything that breathes. For you must devote them to complete destruction—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that they cannot teach you to do all the detestable things they do for their gods, and so cause you to sin against the LORD your God.”God had commanded through Moses that the nations of the land be devoted to destruction so they could not lead Israel into their detestable worship.
- Genesis 15:16 (BSB)“In the fourth generation your descendants will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.””God told Abraham that the Amorites’ sin was not yet full, showing that judgment came only after long patience.
- Deuteronomy 9:4-5 (BSB)“When the LORD your God has driven them out before you, do not say in your heart, “Because of my righteousness the LORD has brought me in to possess this land.” Rather, the LORD is driving out these nations before you because of their wickedness. It is not because of your righteousness or uprightness of heart that you are going in to possess their land, but it is because of their wickedness that the LORD your God is driving out these nations before you, to keep the promise He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”Israel received the land not for its own righteousness but because of the nations’ wickedness and God’s oath to the fathers.
- Leviticus 18:24-25 (BSB)“Do not defile yourselves by any of these practices, for by all these things the nations I am driving out before you have defiled themselves. Even the land has become defiled, so I am punishing it for its sin, and the land will vomit out its inhabitants.”The nations had defiled the land by their practices, and God was punishing it for its sin.
Theological
On what basis does 10:40 ground Joshua’s devoting of the whole southern region to destruction?
Answer: He was carrying out the command of Israel’s God
The southern campaign moves through Makkedah, Libnah, Lachish, Eglon, Hebron, and Debir, with none left alive and repeatedly described as devoted to destruction (10:28-39), and 10:40 grounds the whole in divine command: Joshua acted as Israel’s God had commanded. The mandate of Deuteronomy 20:16-18 aimed to guard Israel from the nations’ abominable worship. It was judicial: God had borne with the Amorites until their iniquity was full (Genesis 15:16), the land was defiled by their practices (Leviticus 18:24-25), and Israel’s own righteousness was not the ground of its possession (Deuteronomy 9:4-5). It was a unique, divinely commanded judgment at a particular point in redemptive history, not a paradigm for any later people, and the same narrative shows mercy to those who submitted, such as Rahab and Gibeon.
- Joshua 10:40 (BSB)“So Joshua conquered the whole region—the hill country, the Negev, the foothills, and the slopes, together with all their kings—leaving no survivors. He devoted to destruction everything that breathed, just as the LORD, the God of Israel, had commanded.”The summary of the southern campaign states that Joshua acted as the LORD, the God of Israel, had commanded.
- Deuteronomy 20:16-18 (BSB)“However, in the cities of the nations that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you must not leave alive anything that breathes. For you must devote them to complete destruction—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that they cannot teach you to do all the detestable things they do for their gods, and so cause you to sin against the LORD your God.”God had commanded through Moses that the nations of the land be devoted to destruction so they could not lead Israel into their detestable worship.
- Genesis 15:16 (BSB)“In the fourth generation your descendants will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.””God told Abraham that the Amorites’ sin was not yet full, showing that judgment came only after long patience.
- Deuteronomy 9:4-5 (BSB)“When the LORD your God has driven them out before you, do not say in your heart, “Because of my righteousness the LORD has brought me in to possess this land.” Rather, the LORD is driving out these nations before you because of their wickedness. It is not because of your righteousness or uprightness of heart that you are going in to possess their land, but it is because of their wickedness that the LORD your God is driving out these nations before you, to keep the promise He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”Israel received the land not for its own righteousness but because of the nations’ wickedness and God’s oath to the fathers.
- Leviticus 18:24-25 (BSB)“Do not defile yourselves by any of these practices, for by all these things the nations I am driving out before you have defiled themselves. Even the land has become defiled, so I am punishing it for its sin, and the land will vomit out its inhabitants.”The nations had defiled the land by their practices, and God was punishing it for its sin.
General
What did the LORD tell Joshua before the battle at Gibeon (10:8)?
Answer: Not to fear, because He had given the enemy into his hand
The LORD told Joshua not to be afraid of the kings, because He had already given them into Joshua’s hand, and none of them would hold their ground against him (10:8). God speaks of the victory as already done before the battle begins. This repeats His promise at the start of the book that no one would stand against Joshua (1:5), Moses’ charge that Joshua need not fear because the LORD goes before him (Deuteronomy 31:8), and the same assurance God gave before the second attack on Ai (8:1).
- Joshua 10:8 (BSB)“The LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, for I have delivered them into your hand. Not one of them shall stand against you.””Before the battle the LORD assures Joshua that the victory is already given.
- Joshua 1:5 (BSB)“No one shall stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so will I be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.”At the start of Joshua’s leadership God promised that no one would be able to stand against him.
- Deuteronomy 31:8 (BSB)“The LORD Himself goes before you; He will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.””Moses had charged Joshua not to fear because the LORD Himself goes before him.
- Joshua 8:1 (BSB)“Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid or discouraged. Take the whole army with you, and go up and attack Ai. See, I have delivered into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land.”God spoke the same assurance before Ai, telling Joshua not to fear because He had delivered the enemy into his hand.
Theological
What assurance did the LORD give Joshua as he set out against the five kings (10:8)?
Answer: Not to fear, because He had given the enemy into his hand
The LORD commands Joshua not to fear, declaring the outcome settled: He has delivered the kings into his hand, and none will withstand him (10:8). The past tense of the promise frames the battle as the outworking of a victory God has already decreed. It reaffirms the commissioning promise of 1:5, Moses’ charge in Deuteronomy 31:8, and the identical assurance before Ai (8:1).
- Joshua 10:8 (BSB)“The LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, for I have delivered them into your hand. Not one of them shall stand against you.””Before the battle the LORD assures Joshua that the victory is already given.
- Joshua 1:5 (BSB)“No one shall stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so will I be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.”At the start of Joshua’s leadership God promised that no one would be able to stand against him.
- Deuteronomy 31:8 (BSB)“The LORD Himself goes before you; He will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.””Moses had charged Joshua not to fear because the LORD Himself goes before him.
- Joshua 8:1 (BSB)“Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid or discouraged. Take the whole army with you, and go up and attack Ai. See, I have delivered into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land.”God spoke the same assurance before Ai, telling Joshua not to fear because He had delivered the enemy into his hand.
General
What did Joshua tell the army commanders after they set their feet on the five kings’ necks (10:24-25)?
Answer: Be strong and brave, since the LORD will treat all your foes so
Joshua had the five kings brought from the cave and called his commanders to place their feet on the kings’ necks, a public sign of complete victory (10:22-24). Then he told them not to fear or lose heart but to stand firm and be brave, because the LORD would deal in the same way with every enemy they fought (10:25). Joshua was passing on the encouragement he himself had received. Moses had told him that what the LORD did to Sihon and Og He would do to every kingdom (Deuteronomy 3:21-22), and both the LORD and Moses had urged him and Israel not to fear (Joshua 1:9; Deuteronomy 31:6).
- Joshua 10:22-25 (BSB)“Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave and bring those five kings out to me.” So they brought the five kings out of the cave—the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon. When they had brought the kings to Joshua, he summoned all the men of Israel and said to the army commanders who had accompanied him, “Come here and put your feet on the necks of these kings.” So the commanders came forward and put their feet on their necks. “Do not be afraid or discouraged,” Joshua said. “Be strong and courageous, for the LORD will do this to all the enemies you fight.””The five kings are brought out of the cave, the commanders put their feet on their necks, and Joshua encourages them with the LORD’s future victories.
- Deuteronomy 3:21-22 (BSB)“And at that time I commanded Joshua: “Your own eyes have seen all that the LORD your God has done to these two kings. The LORD will do the same to all the kingdoms you are about to enter. Do not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God Himself will fight for you.””Moses had told Joshua that what the LORD did to two kings He would do to all the kingdoms, so he need not fear.
- Joshua 1:9 (BSB)“Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.””The LORD had commanded Joshua himself not to fear or be discouraged.
- Deuteronomy 31:6 (BSB)“Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.””Moses had charged Israel not to be afraid, because the LORD goes with them.
Theological
What exhortation did Joshua give his commanders after the symbolic act with the five kings (10:24-25)?
Answer: Be strong and brave, since the LORD will treat all your foes so
The commanders set their feet on the captured kings’ necks, an enacted sign of total subjugation (10:22-24), and Joshua turns it into an exhortation: do not fear or be dismayed, stand firm and be brave, since the LORD will deal likewise with every enemy (10:25). Joshua hands on the encouragement he received, Moses’ word that the LORD’s defeat of Sihon and Og foreshadowed His dealings with every kingdom (Deuteronomy 3:21-22), and the repeated charge not to fear (Joshua 1:9; Deuteronomy 31:6).
- Joshua 10:22-25 (BSB)“Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave and bring those five kings out to me.” So they brought the five kings out of the cave—the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon. When they had brought the kings to Joshua, he summoned all the men of Israel and said to the army commanders who had accompanied him, “Come here and put your feet on the necks of these kings.” So the commanders came forward and put their feet on their necks. “Do not be afraid or discouraged,” Joshua said. “Be strong and courageous, for the LORD will do this to all the enemies you fight.””The five kings are brought out of the cave, the commanders put their feet on their necks, and Joshua encourages them with the LORD’s future victories.
- Deuteronomy 3:21-22 (BSB)“And at that time I commanded Joshua: “Your own eyes have seen all that the LORD your God has done to these two kings. The LORD will do the same to all the kingdoms you are about to enter. Do not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God Himself will fight for you.””Moses had told Joshua that what the LORD did to two kings He would do to all the kingdoms, so he need not fear.
- Joshua 1:9 (BSB)“Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.””The LORD had commanded Joshua himself not to fear or be discouraged.
- Deuteronomy 31:6 (BSB)“Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.””Moses had charged Israel not to be afraid, because the LORD goes with them.
General
What did the five Amorite kings decide to do, and why (10:3-5)?
Answer: Attack Gibeon for having sided with Joshua
Adoni-zedek sent to the kings of Lachish, Hebron, Eglon, and Jarmuth, urging them to join him in attacking Gibeon because it had sided with Joshua and Israel (10:3-4). The five Amorite kings combined their armies, camped against Gibeon, and fought it (10:5). Instead of seeking peace themselves, they turned on the city that had. Later the text explains that Gibeon was the only city to make peace, because the LORD Himself hardened the hearts of the others so they would go to war with Israel and fall under judgment (11:19-20). God ruled over their choices, yet the kings were truly responsible for their hostility. The psalmist pictures earthly rulers joining forces in opposition to the LORD, much as these kings did (Psalm 2:1-2).
- Joshua 10:3-5 (BSB)“Therefore Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem sent word to Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish, and Debir king of Eglon, saying, “Come up and help me. We will attack Gibeon, because they have made peace with Joshua and the Israelites.” So the five kings of the Amorites—the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon—joined forces and advanced with all their armies. They camped before Gibeon and made war against it.”Adoni-zedek rallies four other kings, and the five besiege Gibeon for making peace with Israel.
- Joshua 11:19-20 (BSB)“No city made peace with the Israelites except the Hivites living in Gibeon; all others were taken in battle. For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts to engage Israel in battle, so that they would be set apart for destruction and would receive no mercy, being annihilated as the LORD had commanded Moses.”The text explains that, except for Gibeon, the kings of the land fought rather than seek peace, for it was of the LORD to harden their hearts.
- Psalm 2:1-2 (BSB)“Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One:”Scripture depicts earthly rulers banding together in opposition to the LORD.
Theological
What course of action did the five Amorite kings take, and for what reason (10:3-5)?
Answer: Attack Gibeon for having sided with Joshua
At Adoni-zedek’s summons the kings of Lachish, Hebron, Eglon, and Jarmuth join Jerusalem against Gibeon, in reprisal for its covenant with Israel, and the coalition lays siege to the city (10:3-5). Rather than sue for peace, they attack the one city that did. The text later explains this pattern theologically: the LORD hardened their hearts so they would go to battle against Israel and come under judgment (11:19-20). God’s sovereign hardening and the kings’ own culpable hostility stand together, as in the psalmist’s picture of rulers taking counsel against the LORD (Psalm 2:1-2).
- Joshua 10:3-5 (BSB)“Therefore Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem sent word to Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish, and Debir king of Eglon, saying, “Come up and help me. We will attack Gibeon, because they have made peace with Joshua and the Israelites.” So the five kings of the Amorites—the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon—joined forces and advanced with all their armies. They camped before Gibeon and made war against it.”Adoni-zedek rallies four other kings, and the five besiege Gibeon for making peace with Israel.
- Joshua 11:19-20 (BSB)“No city made peace with the Israelites except the Hivites living in Gibeon; all others were taken in battle. For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts to engage Israel in battle, so that they would be set apart for destruction and would receive no mercy, being annihilated as the LORD had commanded Moses.”The text explains that, except for Gibeon, the kings of the land fought rather than seek peace, for it was of the LORD to harden their hearts.
- Psalm 2:1-2 (BSB)“Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One:”Scripture depicts earthly rulers banding together in opposition to the LORD.
General
True or False: More of the fleeing Amorites died from the hailstones than from Israel’s swords.
Answer: True
This is true. As the Amorites fled down the slope from Beth-horon toward Azekah, the LORD hurled huge hailstones down on them, and the hail killed more of them than Israel did in battle (10:11). The text makes it plain that the LORD Himself won the battle. Elsewhere God speaks of storehouses of hail He keeps for times of battle (Job 38:22-23), and He had sent hail on Egypt in judgment before (Exodus 9:23).
- Joshua 10:11 (BSB)“As they fled before Israel along the descent from Beth-horon to Azekah, the LORD cast down on them large hailstones from the sky, and more of them were killed by the hailstones than by the swords of the Israelites.”As the Amorites flee, the LORD hurls hailstones that kill more of them than Israel’s soldiers do.
- Job 38:22-23 (BSB)“Have you entered the storehouses of snow or observed the storehouses of hail, which I hold in reserve for times of trouble, for the day of war and battle?”God says He keeps storehouses of hail in reserve for the day of war and battle.
- Exodus 9:23 (BSB)“So Moses stretched out his staff toward heaven, and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and lightning struck the earth. So the LORD rained down hail upon the land of Egypt.”The LORD had already used hail as a weapon of judgment against Egypt.
Theological
True or False: The hail the LORD hurled from the sky killed more of the fleeing Amorites than Israel’s swords did.
Answer: True
This is true. On the road down from Beth-horon toward Azekah the LORD casts great hailstones on the fleeing Amorites, and the hail kills more than Israel’s weapons (10:11), underscoring that the victory is the LORD’s. The LORD speaks of hail held in reserve for battle (Job 38:22-23), as hail had earlier served as an instrument of His judgment on Egypt (Exodus 9:23).
- Joshua 10:11 (BSB)“As they fled before Israel along the descent from Beth-horon to Azekah, the LORD cast down on them large hailstones from the sky, and more of them were killed by the hailstones than by the swords of the Israelites.”As the Amorites flee, the LORD hurls hailstones that kill more of them than Israel’s soldiers do.
- Job 38:22-23 (BSB)“Have you entered the storehouses of snow or observed the storehouses of hail, which I hold in reserve for times of trouble, for the day of war and battle?”God says He keeps storehouses of hail in reserve for the day of war and battle.
- Exodus 9:23 (BSB)“So Moses stretched out his staff toward heaven, and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and lightning struck the earth. So the LORD rained down hail upon the land of Egypt.”The LORD had already used hail as a weapon of judgment against Egypt.
General
What happened when Horam, the ruler of Gezer, came to help Lachish (10:33)?
Answer: Joshua defeated him and his people, leaving none alive
From Makkedah, Joshua and the whole army moved on to Libnah and then to Lachish, and each time the text says the LORD handed the city over to Israel (10:29-32). Lachish fell on its second day of siege. When Horam, Gezer’s king, came to aid Lachish, Joshua defeated him and his people until none were left (10:33). A fresh army could not change the outcome, because the victory was the LORD’s doing. Scripture says that a horse may be made ready for battle, yet victory comes from the LORD (Proverbs 21:31), and that no king is rescued by the size of his army (Psalm 33:16-17).
- Joshua 10:29-33 (BSB)“Then Joshua and all Israel with him moved on from Makkedah to Libnah and fought against Libnah. And the LORD also delivered that city and its king into the hand of Israel, and Joshua put all the people to the sword, leaving no survivors. And he did to the king of Libnah as he had done to the king of Jericho. And Joshua and all Israel with him moved on from Libnah to Lachish. They laid siege to it and fought against it. And the LORD delivered Lachish into the hand of Israel, and Joshua captured it on the second day. He put all the people to the sword, just as he had done to Libnah. At that time Horam king of Gezer went to help Lachish, but Joshua struck him down along with his people, leaving no survivors.”Joshua takes Libnah and Lachish as the LORD gives each into Israel’s hand, and Horam of Gezer is defeated when he comes to help Lachish.
- Proverbs 21:31 (BSB)“A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.”Armies may prepare, but victory belongs to the LORD.
- Psalm 33:16-17 (BSB)“No king is saved by his vast army; no warrior is delivered by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for salvation; even its great strength cannot save.”No king is saved by a vast army, so Horam’s added forces could not change the outcome.
Theological
What was the outcome when Horam of Gezer marched out to relieve Lachish (10:33)?
Answer: Joshua defeated him and his people, leaving none alive
The campaign advances from Makkedah through Libnah to Lachish, and the text twice credits the LORD with delivering the city into Israel’s hand (10:30, 32). Lachish falls on its second day of siege, and when Horam of Gezer comes to relieve it, Joshua defeats him and his people entirely (10:33). A fresh army cannot reverse what the LORD has determined: victory belongs to Him rather than to preparations for battle (Proverbs 21:31), and no ruler is rescued by the size of his forces (Psalm 33:16-17).
- Joshua 10:29-33 (BSB)“Then Joshua and all Israel with him moved on from Makkedah to Libnah and fought against Libnah. And the LORD also delivered that city and its king into the hand of Israel, and Joshua put all the people to the sword, leaving no survivors. And he did to the king of Libnah as he had done to the king of Jericho. And Joshua and all Israel with him moved on from Libnah to Lachish. They laid siege to it and fought against it. And the LORD delivered Lachish into the hand of Israel, and Joshua captured it on the second day. He put all the people to the sword, just as he had done to Libnah. At that time Horam king of Gezer went to help Lachish, but Joshua struck him down along with his people, leaving no survivors.”Joshua takes Libnah and Lachish as the LORD gives each into Israel’s hand, and Horam of Gezer is defeated when he comes to help Lachish.
- Proverbs 21:31 (BSB)“A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.”Armies may prepare, but victory belongs to the LORD.
- Psalm 33:16-17 (BSB)“No king is saved by his vast army; no warrior is delivered by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for salvation; even its great strength cannot save.”No king is saved by a vast army, so Horam’s added forces could not change the outcome.
General
How did Joshua respond when Gibeon sent for help (10:6-7)?
Answer: He went up from Gilgal with his whole army
Gibeon’s messengers came to Joshua in his camp at Gilgal and begged him not to abandon his servants but to come quickly and rescue them, because the Amorite kings of the hill country had joined forces against them (10:6). Joshua went up from Gilgal with the entire army and all his finest warriors (10:7). The people Israel had sworn by treaty to let live (9:15) now received Israel’s help. Israel kept its word even to people who had tricked it, the kind of faithfulness Psalm 15:4 praises.
- Joshua 10:6-7 (BSB)“Then the men of Gibeon sent word to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal: “Do not abandon your servants. Come quickly and save us! Help us, because all the kings of the Amorites from the hill country have joined forces against us.” So Joshua and his whole army, including all the mighty men of valor, came from Gilgal.”Gibeon begs Joshua for rescue, and Joshua marches out from Gilgal with all his fighting men.
- Joshua 9:15 (BSB)“And Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them.”The treaty of peace that let the Gibeonites live is what now binds Israel to them.
- Psalm 15:4 (BSB)“who despises the vile but honors those who fear the LORD, who does not revise a costly oath,”The godly keep a costly commitment, as Israel does by defending the people who had deceived it.
Theological
What was Joshua’s response to Gibeon’s urgent appeal for help (10:6-7)?
Answer: He went up from Gilgal with his whole army
Gibeon appeals to Joshua at Gilgal as his servants, pleading for swift deliverance from the Amorite coalition of the hill country (10:6). Joshua marches out with the entire army, including his best fighting men (10:7). Israel now comes to the aid of the very people it had sworn to spare (9:15), standing by that costly commitment despite the deceit behind it (Psalm 15:4).
- Joshua 10:6-7 (BSB)“Then the men of Gibeon sent word to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal: “Do not abandon your servants. Come quickly and save us! Help us, because all the kings of the Amorites from the hill country have joined forces against us.” So Joshua and his whole army, including all the mighty men of valor, came from Gilgal.”Gibeon begs Joshua for rescue, and Joshua marches out from Gilgal with all his fighting men.
- Joshua 9:15 (BSB)“And Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them.”The treaty of peace that let the Gibeonites live is what now binds Israel to them.
- Psalm 15:4 (BSB)“who despises the vile but honors those who fear the LORD, who does not revise a costly oath,”The godly keep a costly commitment, as Israel does by defending the people who had deceived it.
General
When the five kings were found hidden in a cave at Makkedah, what did Joshua order (10:16-19)?
Answer: Seal the cave with stones and keep chasing the enemy
The five kings fled and hid in a cave at Makkedah (10:16-17). Joshua ordered large stones rolled over its mouth and guards posted there, but he told the rest of the army not to stop. They were to pursue the enemy, strike them from the rear, and keep them from getting back to their cities, because the LORD had given them into Israel’s hand (10:18-19). Israel obeyed and struck the enemy down until only a few escaped into their walled towns; then all the troops came back unharmed to Joshua at Makkedah, where he was camped, and nobody dared speak against Israel (10:20-21). Joshua acted on God’s promise: since the outcome was certain, he pressed on. God had promised to hand the land’s kings over to Israel (Deuteronomy 7:24), and the book later confirms that He handed every enemy over to them (21:44).
- Joshua 10:16-21 (BSB)“Now the five kings had fled and hidden in the cave at Makkedah. And Joshua was informed: “The five kings have been found; they are hiding in the cave at Makkedah.” So Joshua said, “Roll large stones against the mouth of the cave, and post men there to guard them. But you, do not stop there. Pursue your enemies and attack them from behind. Do not let them reach their cities, for the LORD your God has delivered them into your hand.” So Joshua and the Israelites continued to inflict a terrible slaughter until they had finished them off, and the remaining survivors retreated to the fortified cities. The whole army returned safely to Joshua in the camp at Makkedah, and no one dared to utter a word against the Israelites.”The five kings hide in the cave at Makkedah; Joshua has it sealed, sends the army after the fleeing enemy, and the army comes back unharmed.
- Deuteronomy 7:24 (BSB)“He will hand their kings over to you, and you will wipe out their names from under heaven. No one will be able to stand against you; you will annihilate them.”God had promised to hand the land’s kings over to Israel, so that none could stand against them.
- Joshua 21:44 (BSB)“And the LORD gave them rest on every side, just as He had sworn to their fathers. None of their enemies could stand against them, for the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand.”The book’s summary confirms that the LORD delivered all Israel’s enemies into their hand.
Theological
What orders did Joshua give when the five kings were discovered in a cave at Makkedah (10:16-19)?
Answer: Seal the cave with stones and keep chasing the enemy
With the five kings concealed in a cave at Makkedah (10:16-17), Joshua has the entrance blocked with great stones and guarded, but forbids the army to halt: they are to pursue, attack the rear, and prevent the enemy from reaching their cities, since the LORD has given them over to Israel (10:18-19). The pursuit is carried through until only a remnant reaches the walled towns, and the whole army returns unscathed to Makkedah, with no one daring to speak against Israel (10:20-21). Joshua’s urgency rests on confidence in the promise, specifically God’s pledge to hand over the land’s kings (Deuteronomy 7:24), which the book later confirms was fulfilled (21:44).
- Joshua 10:16-21 (BSB)“Now the five kings had fled and hidden in the cave at Makkedah. And Joshua was informed: “The five kings have been found; they are hiding in the cave at Makkedah.” So Joshua said, “Roll large stones against the mouth of the cave, and post men there to guard them. But you, do not stop there. Pursue your enemies and attack them from behind. Do not let them reach their cities, for the LORD your God has delivered them into your hand.” So Joshua and the Israelites continued to inflict a terrible slaughter until they had finished them off, and the remaining survivors retreated to the fortified cities. The whole army returned safely to Joshua in the camp at Makkedah, and no one dared to utter a word against the Israelites.”The five kings hide in the cave at Makkedah; Joshua has it sealed, sends the army after the fleeing enemy, and the army comes back unharmed.
- Deuteronomy 7:24 (BSB)“He will hand their kings over to you, and you will wipe out their names from under heaven. No one will be able to stand against you; you will annihilate them.”God had promised to hand the land’s kings over to Israel, so that none could stand against them.
- Joshua 21:44 (BSB)“And the LORD gave them rest on every side, just as He had sworn to their fathers. None of their enemies could stand against them, for the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand.”The book’s summary confirms that the LORD delivered all Israel’s enemies into their hand.
General
What made that day unique, according to 10:14?
Answer: The LORD granted the spoken request of a mere man
The narrator says no other day, earlier or later, has matched it: the LORD paid attention to a human being’s request, because the LORD was fighting for Israel (10:14). The wonder is not only what happened in the sky but that the LORD of all creation answered His servant. Moses had promised that the LORD would fight for His people (Deuteronomy 1:30; Exodus 14:14). That day had no equal, yet James still teaches that a righteous person’s prayer is powerful, pointing to Elijah, a man like us, whose prayers God answered by holding back the rain and then sending it (James 5:16-18).
- Joshua 10:14 (BSB)“There has been no day like it before or since, when the LORD listened to the voice of a man, because the LORD fought for Israel.”The narrator marks the day as unique because the LORD heeded Joshua while fighting for Israel.
- Deuteronomy 1:30 (BSB)“The LORD your God, who goes before you, will fight for you, just as you saw Him do for you in Egypt”Moses had promised that the LORD who goes before Israel would fight for them.
- Exodus 14:14 (BSB)“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.””At the Red Sea Moses told Israel the LORD would fight for them.
- James 5:16-18 (BSB)“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth yielded its crops.”The prayer of a righteous person is powerful, as God showed in answering Elijah’s prayers about the rain.
Theological
According to 10:14, what made that day without equal?
Answer: The LORD granted the spoken request of a mere man
The narrator declares the day unparalleled, before or since, because the LORD heeded a man’s voice while He was fighting for Israel (10:14). The emphasis falls on divine condescension: the sovereign Creator acts in answer to His servant’s word, as the divine Warrior fighting for His covenant people, just as Moses promised (Deuteronomy 1:30; Exodus 14:14). Though the day itself stands unmatched, James draws on a related truth, the power of a righteous man’s prayer, citing Elijah, a man of like nature whose prayers God answered by withholding and then sending rain (James 5:16-18).
- Joshua 10:14 (BSB)“There has been no day like it before or since, when the LORD listened to the voice of a man, because the LORD fought for Israel.”The narrator marks the day as unique because the LORD heeded Joshua while fighting for Israel.
- Deuteronomy 1:30 (BSB)“The LORD your God, who goes before you, will fight for you, just as you saw Him do for you in Egypt”Moses had promised that the LORD who goes before Israel would fight for them.
- Exodus 14:14 (BSB)“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.””At the Red Sea Moses told Israel the LORD would fight for them.
- James 5:16-18 (BSB)“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth yielded its crops.”The prayer of a righteous person is powerful, as God showed in answering Elijah’s prayers about the rain.
General
After Joshua’s all-night march from Gilgal, what does the text say the LORD did to the Amorite armies (10:9-10)?
Answer: He sent the enemy armies into panic and disarray
Joshua marched through the night from Gilgal and took the enemy unawares; then the LORD sent the Amorite armies into panic as Israel came against them (10:9-10). Israel won a great victory at Gibeon and chased the fleeing armies up the road toward Beth-horon, then all the way to Azekah and Makkedah. The victory came from the LORD, as when He threw the Egyptian army into confusion at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:24-25). He would do the same in later days, routing Sisera’s army (Judges 4:15) and the Philistines (1 Samuel 7:10).
- Joshua 10:9-10 (BSB)“After marching all night from Gilgal, Joshua caught them by surprise. And the LORD threw them into confusion before Israel, who defeated them in a great slaughter at Gibeon, pursued them along the ascent to Beth-horon, and struck them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah.”After an all-night march Joshua surprises the enemy, and the LORD routs them before Israel.
- Exodus 14:24-25 (BSB)“At morning watch, however, the LORD looked down on the army of the Egyptians from the pillar of fire and cloud, and He threw their camp into confusion. He caused their chariot wheels to wobble, so that they had difficulty driving. “Let us flee from the Israelites,” said the Egyptians, “for the LORD is fighting for them against Egypt!””The LORD likewise threw the Egyptian army into confusion at the Red Sea.
- 1 Samuel 7:10 (BSB)“As the Philistines drew near to fight against Israel, Samuel was offering up the burnt offering. But that day the LORD thundered loudly against the Philistines and threw them into such confusion that they fled before Israel.”Later the LORD again threw Israel’s enemies into confusion so that they fled.
- Judges 4:15 (BSB)“And in front of him the LORD routed with the sword Sisera, all his charioteers, and all his army. Sisera abandoned his chariot and fled on foot.”In Deborah’s day the LORD routed Sisera’s army before Israel.
Theological
What divine action accompanied Joshua’s surprise attack after his night march (10:9-10)?
Answer: He sent the enemy armies into panic and disarray
Joshua’s overnight march from Gilgal gives him surprise, but the decisive factor is divine: the LORD throws the Amorites into panic before Israel, producing a great defeat at Gibeon and a pursuit by the Beth-horon ascent to Azekah and Makkedah (10:9-10). The same divine discomfiting of the enemy marked the Red Sea (Exodus 14:24-25) and recurs in the routs of Sisera (Judges 4:15) and of the Philistines (1 Samuel 7:10).
- Joshua 10:9-10 (BSB)“After marching all night from Gilgal, Joshua caught them by surprise. And the LORD threw them into confusion before Israel, who defeated them in a great slaughter at Gibeon, pursued them along the ascent to Beth-horon, and struck them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah.”After an all-night march Joshua surprises the enemy, and the LORD routs them before Israel.
- Exodus 14:24-25 (BSB)“At morning watch, however, the LORD looked down on the army of the Egyptians from the pillar of fire and cloud, and He threw their camp into confusion. He caused their chariot wheels to wobble, so that they had difficulty driving. “Let us flee from the Israelites,” said the Egyptians, “for the LORD is fighting for them against Egypt!””The LORD likewise threw the Egyptian army into confusion at the Red Sea.
- 1 Samuel 7:10 (BSB)“As the Philistines drew near to fight against Israel, Samuel was offering up the burnt offering. But that day the LORD thundered loudly against the Philistines and threw them into such confusion that they fled before Israel.”Later the LORD again threw Israel’s enemies into confusion so that they fled.
- Judges 4:15 (BSB)“And in front of him the LORD routed with the sword Sisera, all his charioteers, and all his army. Sisera abandoned his chariot and fled on foot.”In Deborah’s day the LORD routed Sisera’s army before Israel.
General
How does 10:42 explain Joshua’s capture of every one of these rulers and their territory at one time?
Answer: Israel’s God fought on Israel’s behalf
The chapter closes by summing up the conquest of the south, between Kadesh-barnea and Gaza and through all the Goshen region up to Gibeon (10:41). Joshua took every one of these rulers and their territory in a single sweep because Israel’s God, the LORD, fought on Israel’s behalf, and afterward the whole army went back to Gilgal (10:42-43). The victory belonged to God. Moses had promised that the LORD would go with Israel to fight for them (Deuteronomy 20:4), Joshua later reminded the people that the LORD had done their fighting (23:3), and the psalmist confesses that Israel did not win the land by its own sword (Psalm 44:3).
- Joshua 10:41-43 (BSB)“Joshua conquered the area from Kadesh-barnea to Gaza, and the whole region of Goshen as far as Gibeon. And because the LORD, the God of Israel, fought for Israel, Joshua captured all these kings and their land in one campaign. Then Joshua returned with all Israel to the camp at Gilgal.”The chapter sums up the southern conquest and credits it to the LORD fighting for Israel before Israel returns to Gilgal.
- Psalm 44:3 (BSB)“For it was not by their sword that they took the land; their arm did not bring them victory. It was by Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your face, because You favored them.”The psalmist confesses that Israel did not win the land by its own sword but by God’s right hand.
- Joshua 23:3 (BSB)““and you have seen everything that the LORD your God has done to all these nations for your sake, because it was the LORD your God who fought for you.”Near his death Joshua reminds Israel that it was the LORD who fought for them.
- Deuteronomy 20:4 (BSB)“For the LORD your God goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.””Moses had promised that the LORD would go with Israel to fight for them and give the victory.
Theological
How does 10:42 account for Joshua’s taking every one of these rulers and their territory at one time?
Answer: Israel’s God fought on Israel’s behalf
The closing summary traces the southern conquest between Kadesh-barnea and Gaza and through the whole Goshen region to Gibeon (10:41), and attributes the capture of every king and territory in a single sweep to the fact that Israel’s God, the LORD, fought on Israel’s behalf; the army then returns to Gilgal (10:42-43). This fulfills the promise of Deuteronomy 20:4, is recalled in Joshua’s farewell (23:3), and is confessed in Psalm 44:3: the land was won by God’s right hand, not Israel’s sword.
- Joshua 10:41-43 (BSB)“Joshua conquered the area from Kadesh-barnea to Gaza, and the whole region of Goshen as far as Gibeon. And because the LORD, the God of Israel, fought for Israel, Joshua captured all these kings and their land in one campaign. Then Joshua returned with all Israel to the camp at Gilgal.”The chapter sums up the southern conquest and credits it to the LORD fighting for Israel before Israel returns to Gilgal.
- Psalm 44:3 (BSB)“For it was not by their sword that they took the land; their arm did not bring them victory. It was by Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your face, because You favored them.”The psalmist confesses that Israel did not win the land by its own sword but by God’s right hand.
- Joshua 23:3 (BSB)““and you have seen everything that the LORD your God has done to all these nations for your sake, because it was the LORD your God who fought for you.”Near his death Joshua reminds Israel that it was the LORD who fought for them.
- Deuteronomy 20:4 (BSB)“For the LORD your God goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.””Moses had promised that the LORD would go with Israel to fight for them and give the victory.
General
What did Joshua say as he addressed the LORD before Israel on the day of this battle (10:12)?
Answer: He called on the sun and moon to halt in the sky
On the day the LORD handed the Amorites to Israel, Joshua addressed the LORD before all Israel and called on the sun to halt above Gibeon and the moon above Aijalon’s valley (10:12). Both sun and moon halted until Israel had brought judgment on its enemies (10:13). The text presents this as a real act of God in answer to Joshua, lengthening the day so the victory could be finished. The God who made the sun and moon and rules day and night (Psalm 74:16) is able to command them, and Habakkuk’s prayer likewise pictures sun and moon halting before the LORD’s power (Habakkuk 3:11).
- Joshua 10:12-13 (BSB)“On the day that the LORD gave the Amorites over to the Israelites, Joshua spoke to the LORD in the presence of Israel: “O sun, stand still over Gibeon, O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.” So the sun stood still and the moon stopped until the nation took vengeance upon its enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? “So the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day.””Joshua speaks to the LORD before Israel, and the sun and moon stop until Israel has defeated its enemies.
- Psalm 74:16 (BSB)“The day is Yours, and also the night; You established the moon and the sun.”God made the sun and moon and rules over day and night, so they are His to command.
- Habakkuk 3:11 (BSB)“Sun and moon stood still in their places at the flash of Your flying arrows, at the brightness of Your shining spear.”Habakkuk’s prayer pictures sun and moon standing still in their places before the LORD’s might.
Theological
What did Joshua utter before the LORD in Israel’s presence on the day of the battle (10:12)?
Answer: He called on the sun and moon to halt in the sky
On the day the LORD handed the Amorites to Israel, Joshua addresses the LORD before the nation and commands the sun to halt over Gibeon and the moon above Aijalon’s valley (10:12). Sun and moon both stop until Israel has executed judgment on its enemies (10:13). The text records it as a genuine act of God answering His servant and prolonging the day for the completion of the victory. The Creator of sun and moon, who owns day and night (Psalm 74:16), commands them; Habakkuk’s psalm likewise pictures sun and moon halting before the LORD’s might (Habakkuk 3:11).
- Joshua 10:12-13 (BSB)“On the day that the LORD gave the Amorites over to the Israelites, Joshua spoke to the LORD in the presence of Israel: “O sun, stand still over Gibeon, O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.” So the sun stood still and the moon stopped until the nation took vengeance upon its enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? “So the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day.””Joshua speaks to the LORD before Israel, and the sun and moon stop until Israel has defeated its enemies.
- Psalm 74:16 (BSB)“The day is Yours, and also the night; You established the moon and the sun.”God made the sun and moon and rules over day and night, so they are His to command.
- Habakkuk 3:11 (BSB)“Sun and moon stood still in their places at the flash of Your flying arrows, at the brightness of Your shining spear.”Habakkuk’s prayer pictures sun and moon standing still in their places before the LORD’s might.