Joshua 10:5 - Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together and went up, they and all their armies, and encamped against Gibeon, and made war against it.

Generated Verse: Joshua 10:5

What does "Joshua 10:5" mean?


Joshua 10:5 is a pivotal verse in the account of the Israelite conquest of Canaan in the Book of Joshua. Here's a breakdown of its meaning and significance:

Context: This verse follows the story of the Gibeonites deceiving the Israelites into making a peace treaty (Joshua 9). This treaty obligated the Israelites to protect Gibeon.

The Threat: The Gibeonites were a powerful people, and their alliance with the Israelites threatened the established power structure of the Amorite kings in the region. These five kings represent a coalition of Amorite city-states.

Gathering of Forces: The verse explicitly states that these five kings and their entire armies (likely representing a significant military force) united to attack Gibeon. This was a coordinated effort to punish Gibeon for betraying them and to eliminate this new alliance with Israel before it could become a larger threat.

Purpose of the Attack: The kings' intent was clear: to wage war against Gibeon. This was likely motivated by:

Revenge: Punishing Gibeon for forming an alliance with Israel.
Strategic Concerns: Eliminating a potential threat and maintaining their control over the region.
Intimidation: Discouraging other Canaanite cities from aligning with the Israelites.

In essence, this verse sets the stage for the dramatic battle that follows in Joshua 10. It highlights the Amorite kings' fear of the growing Israelite influence and their determination to crush any opposition. The attack on Gibeon triggers the intervention of Joshua and the Israelite army, leading to a major victory for the Israelites and a significant advancement in their conquest of Canaan.