Joshua 10:1-3

The Sun Stands Still

1 As soon as Adoni-zedek, king of Jerusalem, heard how Joshua had captured Ai and had devoted it to destruction,[a]1doing to Ai and its king 2as he had done to Jericho and its king, and 3how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and were among them,
2 4he[b] feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all its men were warriors.
3 So Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem sent to Hoham king of Hebron, to Piram king of Jarmuth, to Japhia king of Lachish, and to Debir king of Eglon, saying,

Joshua 10:1-3 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOSHUA 10

This chapter treats of the combination of five kings against the Gibeonites, Jos 10:1-5; and of the application of the Gibeonites to Joshua, for assistance, in virtue of the league between them, which was granted, Jos 10:6-9; of the slaughter of the army by the kings of Israel, and chiefly by hailstones from heaven, Jos 10:10,11; and of the standing still of the sun, and of the moon, while vengeance was taken on them, Jos 10:12-14; and of the five kings being hid in a cave, and of the usage of them when taken, Jos 10:15-27; and of the taking of Makkedah, Libnah, Lachish, Eglon, Hebron, and Debir, Jos 10:28-39; which finished the conquest of the southern part of the land, Jos 10:40-43.

Cross References 4

  • 1. Joshua 8:22, 26-29
  • 2. See Joshua 6:21, 24
  • 3. Joshua 9:15
  • 4. Deuteronomy 11:25

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. That is, set apart (devoted) as an offering to the Lord (for destruction); also verses 28, 35, 37, 39, 40
  • [b]. One Hebrew manuscript, Vulgate (compare Syriac); most Hebrew manuscripts they
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