So Adoni-zedek and his people were greatly alarmed, because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities; it was larger than Ai, and all its men were mighty. He and his people were greatly alarmedThe phrase "He and his people were greatly alarmed" refers to Adoni-Zedek, king of Jerusalem, and his people. The Hebrew root for "alarmed" is "yare," which conveys a deep sense of fear or dread. This fear was not just a passing concern but a profound realization of the threat posed by Israel's alliance with Gibeon. Historically, this alarm reflects the political and military tensions of the time, as the Canaanite kings recognized the growing power of Israel under Joshua's leadership. The fear was compounded by the divine favor that Israel seemed to enjoy, as evidenced by their previous victories. because Gibeon was an important city
The phrase "because Gibeon was an important city" highlights the strategic significance of Gibeon. The Hebrew word for "important" here is "gadol," meaning great or significant. Gibeon's importance was not only due to its size but also its strategic location and influence. Archaeological findings suggest that Gibeon was a well-fortified city with a substantial population, making it a valuable ally or a formidable foe. Its alliance with Israel was a significant blow to the Canaanite coalition, as it shifted the balance of power in the region. like one of the royal cities
The comparison "like one of the royal cities" indicates that Gibeon was comparable in stature and influence to the major city-states of the region. The term "royal cities" suggests cities that were centers of power and governance, often ruled by kings. This phrase underscores the political and military clout of Gibeon, making its alliance with Israel even more alarming to the surrounding Canaanite kings. Historically, royal cities were often well-defended and economically prosperous, further emphasizing the strategic loss to the Canaanite coalition. greater than Ai
The phrase "greater than Ai" provides a comparative measure of Gibeon's significance. Ai was a city that had already been conquered by Israel, and its defeat was a notable victory. By stating that Gibeon was "greater than Ai," the text emphasizes the magnitude of the alliance and the potential threat it posed to the Canaanite kings. The Hebrew word "gadol" is again used here, reinforcing the idea of greatness in terms of size, strength, or influence. This comparison serves to highlight the escalating challenge faced by the Canaanite coalition. and all its men were mighty
The phrase "and all its men were mighty" speaks to the military prowess of Gibeon's inhabitants. The Hebrew word for "mighty" is "gibbor," which denotes strength, valor, and heroism. This description suggests that Gibeon was not only strategically important but also had a formidable fighting force. The presence of mighty warriors would have made Gibeon a valuable ally and a significant threat to its enemies. This detail underscores the seriousness of the situation for the Canaanite kings, as they faced a coalition of Israel and a city known for its strong warriors. Persons / Places / Events 1. Adoni-ZedekThe king of Jerusalem who was alarmed by the alliance between Gibeon and Israel. 2. GibeonA significant city, described as important and mighty, which made a peace treaty with Israel. 3. AiA city previously conquered by Israel, used as a comparison to highlight Gibeon's importance. 4. IsraelitesThe people of God, led by Joshua, who had entered into a covenant with Gibeon. 5. Mighty Men of GibeonThe warriors of Gibeon, noted for their strength and valor. Teaching Points The Importance of AlliancesAlliances can bring both protection and challenges. The Gibeonites' alliance with Israel brought them protection but also made them a target. God's Sovereignty in BattlesJust as God was with Israel in their battles, He is with us in our spiritual battles today. Trust in His sovereignty and guidance. The Power of ReputationGibeon's reputation as a mighty city influenced the actions of surrounding nations. Our reputation as Christians should reflect Christ and influence others positively. Fear and FaithThe fear of Adoni-Zedek contrasts with the faith of the Israelites. In times of fear, we should turn to God and trust in His promises. The Role of LeadershipJoshua's leadership was crucial in navigating the challenges posed by the Gibeonite treaty. Effective leadership is vital in both spiritual and practical matters. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the alliance between Gibeon and Israel reflect the importance of discernment in forming relationships today? 2. In what ways can we see God's hand at work in the events of Joshua 10, and how can this encourage us in our personal battles? 3. How does the reputation of Gibeon as a mighty city challenge us to consider our own reputation as followers of Christ? 4. What can we learn from the fear of Adoni-Zedek about the impact of God's work in our lives on those around us? 5. How does Joshua's leadership in this chapter inspire us to lead with integrity and faith in our own spheres of influence? Connections to Other Scriptures Joshua 9Provides context for the treaty between Israel and Gibeon, which led to the alarm of surrounding kings. 1 Samuel 17The description of Gibeon's mighty men can be compared to the mighty warriors in Israel, such as David. 2 Samuel 21Gibeon is mentioned again, showing its continued significance in Israel's history. Psalm 2Reflects on the futility of nations conspiring against God's anointed, similar to the coalition against Israel. Ephesians 6The spiritual battle and the need for God's armor can be related to the physical battles faced by Israel. People Adonizedec, Amorites, Debir, Eglon, Gibeon, Hoham, Horam, Israelites, Japhia, Jasher, Joshua, PiramPlaces Ai, Azekah, Beth-horon, Debir, Eglon, Gaza, Gezer, Gibeon, Gilgal, Hebron, Jarmuth, Jericho, Jerusalem, Kadesh-barnea, Lachish, Libnah, Makkedah, Negeb, Valley of AijalonTopics Afraid, Ai, Cities, Fear, Feared, Fighters, Gibeon, Greater, Greatly, Heroes, Important, King's, Larger, Mighty, Royal, Thereof, Town, Towns, WarDictionary of Bible Themes Joshua 10:2 4831 largeness
5256 city Joshua 10:1-7 7240 Jerusalem, history Library Five Kings in a Cave
TEXT: "And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them. And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against whom ye fight."--Joshua 10:24-25. The history of the …
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas IscariotPraying Saints of the Old Testaments
The Holy Spirit will give to the praying saint the brightness of an immortal hope, the music of a deathless song, in His baptism and communion with the heart, He will give sweeter and more enlarged visions of heaven until the taste for other things will pall, and other visions will grow dim and distant. He will put notes of other worlds in human hearts until all earth's music is discord and songless.--Rev. E. M. Bounds Old Testament history is filled with accounts of praying saints. The leaders of …
Edward M. Bounds—Prayer and Praying Men Gibeon. Josh 10:06
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John Newton—Olney Hymns The Northern Coast of Judea. Beth-Horon.
This coast is marked out Joshua 18:12; where, at verse 14, are very many versions to be corrected, which render the sea; such are, the Syriac, the Seventy, the Vulgar, the Italian, ours, &c.: whence ariseth a sense of insuperable difficulty to a chorographical eye: when it should, indeed, be rendered of the west, as the Chaldee, Arabic, R. Solomon, &c. rightly do. We read of a double Beth-horon in the Old Testament, but one only under the second Temple... At that place that great Canaanitish army …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Subterraneous Places. Mines. Caves.
Thus having taken some notice of the superficies of the land, let us a little search into its bowels. You may divide the subterraneous country into three parts: the metal mines, the caves, and the places of burial. This land was eminently noted for metal mines, so that "its stones," in very many places, "were iron, and out of its hills was digged brass," Deuteronomy 8:9. From these gain accrued to the Jews: but to the Christians, not seldom slavery and misery; being frequently condemned hither by …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Sign Seekers, and the Enthusiast Reproved.
(Galilee on the Same Day as the Last Section.) ^A Matt. XII. 38-45; ^C Luke XI. 24-36. ^c 29 And when the multitudes were gathering together unto him, ^a 38 Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, Teacher, we would see a sign from thee. [Having been severely rebuked by Jesus, it is likely that the scribes and Pharisees asked for a sign that they might appear to the multitude more fair-minded and open to conviction than Jesus had represented them to be. Jesus had just wrought …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Subjects of Study. Home Education in Israel; Female Education. Elementary Schools, Schoolmasters, and School Arrangements.
If a faithful picture of society in ancient Greece or Rome were to be presented to view, it is not easy to believe that even they who now most oppose the Bible could wish their aims success. For this, at any rate, may be asserted, without fear of gainsaying, that no other religion than that of the Bible has proved competent to control an advanced, or even an advancing, state of civilisation. Every other bound has been successively passed and submerged by the rising tide; how deep only the student …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6 Meditations of the True Manner of Practising Piety on the Sabbath-Day.
Almighty God will have himself worshipped, not only in a private manner by private persons and families, but also in a more public sort, of all the godly joined together in a visible church; that by this means he may be known not only to be the God and Lord of every Singular person, but also of the creatures of the whole universal world. Question--But why do not we Christians under the New, keep the Sabbath on the same seventh day on which it was kept under the Old Testament? I answer--Because our …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Divine Support and Protection
[What shall we say then to these things?] If God be for us, who can be against us? T he passions of joy or grief, of admiration or gratitude, are moderate when we are able to find words which fully describe their emotions. When they rise very high, language is too faint to express them; and the person is either lost in silence, or feels something which, after his most laboured efforts, is too big for utterance. We may often observe the Apostle Paul under this difficulty, when attempting to excite …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Joshua
The book of Joshua is the natural complement of the Pentateuch. Moses is dead, but the people are on the verge of the promised land, and the story of early Israel would be incomplete, did it not record the conquest of that land and her establishment upon it. The divine purpose moves restlessly on, until it is accomplished; so "after the death of Moses, Jehovah spake to Joshua," i. 1. The book falls naturally into three divisions: (a) the conquest of Canaan (i.-xii.), (b) the settlement of the …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Joshua 10:2 NIVJoshua 10:2 NLTJoshua 10:2 ESVJoshua 10:2 NASBJoshua 10:2 KJV
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