Now these are the kings of the land whom the people of Israel defeated and took possession of their land beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise, from the Valley of the Arnon to Mount Hermon, with all the Arabah eastward:
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse isn't just a dry list of conquered kings; it's a powerful testament to God's faithfulness in bringing His people into the land He promised them. By detailing the vast eastern territories stretching from the Arnon River all the way to Mount Hermon, it emphasizes the sheer scope of what God accomplished through Israel, fulfilling His covenant with Abraham.
Now these are the kings of the land whom the people of Israel defeated and took possession of their land beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise, from the Valley of the Arnon to Mount Hermon, with all the Arabah eastward:
English Standard Version (ESV)
This chapter serves as a vital recap, listing the defeated kings and their lands that Israel conquered. It first details the territory east of the Jordan River, secured during Moses' time, spanning from the Arnon River in the south to Mount Hermon in the north. Immediately following, Joshua will transition to listing the kings and lands conquered on the west side of the Jordan, providing a comprehensive inventory before the land is divided among the tribes.
Before Israel even crossed into the 'Promised Land' west of the Jordan, they conquered powerful kings on the east side. This chapter starts by defining that territory.
Joshua 12:1 sets the stage by identifying the kings and the land Israel possessed before the main conquest west of the Jordan River.
Geographical Overview
This eastern conquest, led by Moses, was crucial groundwork, securing strategic land and resources before Joshua's leadership in the western campaign.
Joshua 12 lists 31 kings, a daunting number! But this chapter isn't just a tally; it's a testament to God's faithfulness and power.
This chapter serves as a monumental declaration of God's power and covenant faithfulness. The extensive list of defeated kings and their territories, both east and west of the Jordan, underscores:
Comprehensive Conquest
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Understand the original words
melek · Hebrew Noun
A monarch or sovereign ruler; in the Old Testament, often refers to local city-state rulers who held authority over specific territories and peoples.
nakah · Hebrew Verb
The state of being overcome in battle or conflict; biblically, it often signifies God’s sovereignty in granting victory to His people as He fulfills His promises.
yarash · Hebrew Verb
The act of taking control or ownership; in the context of Israel, it is the fulfillment of God’s covenant promise to give them the Promised Land as an inheritance.
arabah · Hebrew Noun
The lowland or desert plain, specifically referring to the deep rift valley extending from the Sea of Galilee down to the Gulf of Aqaba, including the Jordan Valley.
This chapter serves as a crucial historical ledger, detailing the specific kings and territories conquered. It grounds the subsequent division of the land in concrete military victories, highlighting God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises through decisive action.
c. 1400 BC
Israelites enter the Promised Land
After 40 years of wandering, the Israelites, led by Joshua, finally cross the Jordan River to begin their conquest of Canaan.
During the Exodus (c. 1400 BC)— this verse
Defeat of Sihon and Og
The Israelites, under Moses' leadership, defeated Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, conquering their territories east of the Jordan River. This marked the first major land acquisition for Israel.
c. 1400 BC
Division of Transjordanian lands
The lands conquered from Sihon and Og were distributed to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh, establishing their presence east of the Jordan.
c. 1400 - 1390 BC
Conquest of Canaan
Joshua leads the Israelites in a series of military campaigns to defeat the Canaanite kingdoms and secure the land west of the Jordan River.
c. 1390 BC
Division of Canaanite lands
The remaining territories west of the Jordan are systematically divided among the remaining tribes of Israel, completing the distribution of the Promised Land.
This passage directly describes the conquest of Sihon and Og, the two kings mentioned as part of the territory taken east of the Jordan in Joshua 12:1-6, providing the narrative context for their defeat.
Deuteronomy 3:12-17This passage details the inheritance granted to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh in the very lands conquered from Sihon and Og, aligning with Joshua 12:1-6 where these lands are listed as possessed.
Joshua 11:16-23This section in the preceding chapter recounts Joshua's extensive conquest of the land west of the Jordan, serving as a parallel to the list of kings east of the Jordan presented in Joshua 12:1-24.
Genesis 15:18-21This foundational promise from God to Abraham outlines the extensive borders of the land to be given to his descendants, providing the divine blueprint for the territorial conquests enumerated in Joshua 12.
calvinJoshua 12:1-24: "Now these are the kings of the land, which the children of Israel smote, and possessed their land on the other side Jordan toward the rising of the sun, from the river Arnon unto mount Hermon, and all the plain on the east:"
Now these are the kings of the land, which the children of Israel smote, and possessed their land on the other side Jordan toward the rising of the sun, from the river Arnon unto mount Hermon, and all the plain on the east:
Hi sunt reges terrae quos…
bensonJoshua 12:1: "Now these are the kings of the land, which the children of Israel smote, and possessed their land on the other side Jordan toward the rising of the sun, from the river Arnon unto mount Hermon, and all the plain on the east:"
Joshua 12:1-2 . These are the kings of the land — This summary account of Israel’s conquests comes in here not only as a conclusion of the history of the wars of Canaan, that we might at one view see what they had gotten; but as a preface to the history of the…
This verse isn't just a dry list of conquered kings; it's a powerful testament to God's faithfulness in bringing His people into the land He promised them. By detailing the vast eastern territories stretching from the Arnon River all the way to Mount Hermon, it emphasizes the sheer scope of what God accomplished through Israel, fulfilling His covenant with Abraham.
This chapter serves as a vital recap, listing the defeated kings and their lands that Israel conquered. It first details the territory east of the Jordan River, secured during Moses' time, spanning from the Arnon River in the south to Mount Hermon in the north. Immediately following, Joshua will transition to listing the kings and lands conquered on the west side of the Jordan, providing a comprehensive inventory before the land is divided among the tribes.
This chapter serves as a vital recap, listing the defeated kings and their lands that Israel conquered. It first details the territory east of the Jordan River, secured during Moses' time, spanning from the Arnon River in the south to Mount Hermon in the north. Immediately following, Joshua will transition to listing the kings and lands conquered on the west side of the Jordan, providing a comprehensive inventory before the land is divided among the tribes.
"Now these are the kings of the land whom the people of Israel defeated and took possession of their land beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise, from the Valley of the Arnon to Mount Hermon, with all the Arabah eastward:" — This verse isn't just a dry list of conquered kings; it's a powerful testament to God's faithfulness in bringing His people into the land He promised them. By detailing the vast eastern territories s…
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Last reviewed October 2026