Joshua 9:10 - and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon and to Og king of Bashan, who was at Ashtaroth.

Generated Verse: Joshua 9:10

What does "Joshua 9:10" mean?


This verse (Joshua 9:10) is part of a larger statement in which the Gibeonites are trying to convince Joshua and the Israelites to make a treaty with them. They are highlighting the power of God and the Israelites' recent victories to emphasize the futility of resistance and the wisdom of making peace.

Let's break down the verse:

"and all that he did...": This refers to everything that God enabled the Israelites to do. It's a sweeping statement of God's power and involvement in their military campaigns.
"to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan...": This identifies the enemies in question as Amorites, a common and powerful group in Canaan. "Beyond the Jordan" means east of the Jordan River, the territory they had just conquered.
"to Sihon king of Heshbon...": Sihon was a powerful king who refused to let the Israelites pass through his territory peacefully. Israel decisively defeated him and took his land (Numbers 21:21-32).
"and to Og king of Bashan, who was at Ashtaroth.": Og was another giant-like king known for his strength and the size of his iron bed (Deuteronomy 3:11). Bashan was located northeast of the Sea of Galilee. Ashtaroth was one of Og's major cities. Israel soundly defeated Og and took his territory (Numbers 21:33-35).

Significance in Context:

The Gibeonites are recounting these victories for a specific reason:

To demonstrate God's power: The destruction of Sihon and Og proved that God was with the Israelites and that resistance against them was futile.
To emphasize their own weakness: The Gibeonites are indirectly acknowledging that they, too, would be conquered if they were to fight. By highlighting the fate of Sihon and Og, they are pleading for mercy and a treaty.
To build credibility: They are trying to convince Joshua that they are aware of Israel's God and his power, and that their request for a treaty is based on a realistic assessment of the situation.

In essence, this verse is a historical summary used as part of a cunning strategy by the Gibeonites to save themselves from destruction by presenting themselves as already defeated and seeking protection, not resisting conquest.