Joshua 12:5 - and ruled in Mount Hermon, and in Salecah, and in all Bashan, to the border of the Geshurites and the Maacathites, and half Gilead, the border of Sihon king of Heshbon.

Generated Verse: Joshua 12:5

What does "Joshua 12:5" mean?


This verse from Joshua 12:5 describes the territorial extent of the kingdom conquered by the Israelites under the leadership of Moses, specifically the kingdom of King Og of Bashan. Let's break it down:

"and ruled in Mount Hermon": Mount Hermon is a prominent mountain on the northern border of the region, marking the northernmost extent of King Og's territory.

"and in Salecah": Salecah was a city located in the eastern part of Bashan, near the edge of the desert. It represents the eastern border of Og's kingdom.

"and in all Bashan": Bashan was a fertile and well-known region east of the Sea of Galilee, known for its rich pastureland and powerful people. The verse specifies that King Og ruled over the entirety of this region.

"to the border of the Geshurites and the Maacathites": The Geshurites and Maacathites were non-Israelite peoples who lived in the area south of Bashan, along the border of what would later become Israelite territory. This phrase indicates the northern boundary of their lands, and therefore the southern boundary of King Og's dominion. This area likely remained unconquered and therefore served as a natural border.

"and half Gilead, the border of Sihon king of Heshbon": Gilead was another region east of the Jordan River, south of Bashan. This phrase indicates that King Og controlled the northern half of Gilead up to the border with the kingdom of Sihon, another king who ruled from Heshbon.

In summary, the verse defines the geographic boundaries of the territory once ruled by King Og of Bashan, which the Israelites conquered. It specifies its northern limit at Mount Hermon, its eastern limit at Salecah, its dominion over all of Bashan, and its southern limit at the borders of the Geshurites, Maacathites, and the northern border of Sihon's kingdom. This establishes the land allocated to the tribes of Israel after the conquest.

What categories does "Joshua 12:5" have?