Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version He and his people were very much alarmed at this, because Gibeon was an important city, like one of the royal cities; it was larger than Ai, and all its men were good fighters. New Living Translation He and his people became very afraid when they heard all this because Gibeon was a large town—as large as the royal cities and larger than Ai. And the Gibeonite men were strong warriors. English Standard Version he feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all its men were warriors. Berean Standard Bible 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. Berean Literal Bible that they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all its men were mighty. King James Bible That they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all the men thereof were mighty. New King James Version that they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all its men were mighty. New American Standard Bible that he feared greatly because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all its men were mighty. NASB 1995 that he feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all its men were mighty. NASB 1977 that he feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all its men were mighty. Legacy Standard Bible they feared exceedingly because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all its men were mighty. Amplified Bible he [and his people] feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all its men were mighty. Berean Annotated Bible So Adoni-zedek and his people were greatly alarmed, because Gibeon (hill city) was a great city, like one of the royal cities; it was larger than Ai (heap of ruins), and all its men were mighty. Christian Standard Bible So Adoni-zedek and his people were greatly alarmed because Gibeon was a large city like one of the royal cities; it was larger than Ai, and all its men were warriors. Holman Christian Standard Bible So Adoni-zedek and his people were greatly alarmed because Gibeon was a large city like one of the royal cities; it was larger than Ai, and all its men were warriors. American Standard Version that they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all the men thereof were mighty. Contemporary English Version This frightened Adonizedek and his people. They knew that Gibeon was a large town, as big as the towns that had kings, and even bigger than the town of Ai had been. And all of the men of Gibeon were warriors. English Revised Version that they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all the men thereof were mighty. GOD'S WORD® Translation He and his people were terribly afraid because Gibeon was a large city. It was like one of the royal cities, larger than Ai. All its men were warriors. Good News Translation The people of Jerusalem were greatly alarmed at this because Gibeon was as large as any of the cities that had a king; it was larger than Ai, and its men were good fighters. International Standard Version So they were terrified, since Gibeon was a large city, comparable to one of the royal cities, was larger than Ai, and all of its men had been warriors. NET Bible All Jerusalem was terrified because Gibeon was a large city, like one of the royal cities. It was larger than Ai and all its men were warriors. New Heart English Bible that they were very afraid, because Gibeon was a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all its men were mighty. Webster's Bible Translation That they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all the men of it were mighty. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSo 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. World English Bible they were very afraid, because Gibeon was a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all its men were mighty. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionthat they are greatly afraid, because Gibeon [is] a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it [is] greater than Ai, and all its men [are] heroes. Berean Literal Bible that they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all its men were mighty. Young's Literal Translation that they are greatly afraid, because Gibeon is a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it is greater than Ai, and all its men -- heroes. Smith's Literal Translation And they will fear greatly, for a great city was Gibeon, as one of the cities of the kingdom, and that it was great above Ai, and all her men mighty. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleHe was exceedingly afraid. For Gabaon was a great city, and one of the royal cities, and greater than the town of Hai, and all its fighting men were most valiant. Catholic Public Domain Version he was very afraid. For Gibeon was a great city, and was one of the royal cities, and was greater than the town of Ai, and all its warriors were very strong. New American Bible there was great fear abroad, because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities, greater even than Ai, and all its men were warriors. New Revised Standard Version he became greatly frightened, because Gibeon was a large city, like one of the royal cities, and was larger than Ai, and all its men were warriors. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleHe feared greatly, because Gibeon was a large city, like one of the royal cities, and it was larger than Ai, and all its men were mighty. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated They were very afraid because the city Gebuun was great as one of the cities of the kingdom and was greater than Ai, and all its men were mighty men OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917that they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all the men thereof were mighty. Brenton Septuagint Translation then they were greatly terrified by them, for the king knew that Gabaon was a great city, as one of the chief cities, and all its men were mighty. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Day the Sun Stood Still1Now Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem heard that Joshua had captured Ai and devoted it to destruction—doing to Ai and its king as he had done to Jericho and its king—and that the people of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and were living near them. 2So 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. 3Therefore Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem sent word to Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish, and Debir king of Eglon, saying,… Cross References So Adoni-zedek and his people were greatly alarmed, Joshua 2:9-11 and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this land and that the fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who dwell in the land are melting in fear of you. / For we have heard how the LORD dried up the waters of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites across the Jordan, whom you devoted to destruction. / When we heard this, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in the heavens above and on the earth below. Deuteronomy 2:25 This very day I will begin to put the dread and fear of you upon all the nations under heaven. They will hear the reports of you and tremble in anguish because of you.” Exodus 15:14-16 The nations will hear and tremble; anguish will grip the dwellers of Philistia. / Then the chiefs of Edom will be dismayed; trembling will seize the leaders of Moab; those who dwell in Canaan will melt away, / and terror and dread will fall on them. By the power of Your arm they will be as still as a stone until Your people pass by, O LORD, until the people You have bought pass by. because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities; Deuteronomy 9:1 Hear, O Israel: Today you are about to cross the Jordan to go in and dispossess nations greater and stronger than you, with large cities fortified to the heavens. Numbers 13:28 Nevertheless, the people living in the land are strong, and the cities are large and fortified. We even saw the descendants of Anak there. Deuteronomy 3:5 All these cities were fortified with high walls and gates and bars, and there were many more unwalled villages. it was larger than Ai, Joshua 7:3 On returning to Joshua, they reported, “There is no need to send all the people; two or three thousand men are enough to go up and attack Ai. Since the people of Ai are so few, you need not wear out all our people there.” Joshua 7:4 So about three thousand men went up, but they fled before the men of Ai. Joshua 8:28 So Joshua burned Ai and made it a permanent heap of ruins, a desolation to this day. and all its men were mighty. 1 Chronicles 12:4 Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the Thirty and a leader over the Thirty; Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, and Jozabad the Gederathite; 1 Chronicles 12:8 Some Gadites defected to David at his stronghold in the wilderness. They were mighty men of valor, trained for battle, experts with the shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions and who were as swift as gazelles on the mountains: 2 Samuel 23:8 These are the names of David’s mighty men: Josheb-basshebeth the Tahchemonite was chief of the Three. He wielded his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed at one time. Joshua 9:1-2 Now when news of this reached all the kings west of the Jordan—those in the hill country, the foothills, and all along the coast of the Great Sea toward Lebanon (the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites)— / they came together to wage war against Joshua and Israel. Joshua 11:1-5 Now when Jabin king of Hazor heard about these things, he sent word to Jobab king of Madon; to the kings of Shimron and Achshaph; / to the kings of the north in the mountains, in the Arabah south of Chinnereth, in the foothills, and in Naphoth-dor to the west; / to the Canaanites in the east and west; to the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, and Jebusites in the hill country; and to the Hivites at the foot of Hermon in the land of Mizpah. … Judges 1:7 Then Adoni-bezek said, “Seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off have gathered the scraps under my table. As I have done to them, so God has repaid me.” And they brought him to Jerusalem, where he died. 2 Samuel 10:6 When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench to David, they hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth-rehob and Zoba, as well as a thousand men from the king of Maacah and twelve thousand men from Tob. Treasury of Scripture That they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all the men thereof were mighty. they feared Joshua 2:9-13,24 And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you… Exodus 15:14-16 The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina… Deuteronomy 11:25 There shall no man be able to stand before you: for the LORD your God shall lay the fear of you and the dread of you upon all the land that ye shall tread upon, as he hath said unto you. Joshua 10:40 So Joshua smote all the country of the hills, and of the south, and of the vale, and of the springs, and all their kings: he left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the LORD God of Israel commanded. 1 Samuel 27:5 And David said unto Achish, If I have now found grace in thine eyes, let them give me a place in some town in the country, that I may dwell there: for why should thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee? 2 Samuel 12:26 And Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the royal city. Jump to Previous Afraid Ai Alarmed Cities City Heroes Important King's Larger Mighty Royal Thereof TownsJump to Next Afraid Ai Alarmed Cities City Heroes Important King's Larger Mighty Royal Thereof TownsJoshua 10 1. Five kings war against Gibeon6. Joshua rescues it 10. God fights against them with hailstones 12. The sun and moon stand still at the word of Joshua 16. The five kings are murdered in a cave 22. They are brought forth 24. scornfully used 26. and hanged 28. Seven kings more are conquered 43. Joshua returns to Gilgal So Adoni-zedek and his people were greatly alarmed Adoni-zedek, the king of Jerusalem, represents the Canaanite resistance to Israel's conquest. His name means "Lord of Righteousness," which is ironic given his opposition to God's people. The alarm among Adoni-zedek and his people reflects the fear that spread among the Canaanite kings as they realized the power of Israel's God, especially after the miraculous victories at Jericho and Ai. This fear is reminiscent of Rahab's words in Joshua 2:9-11, where she acknowledges the terror that had fallen on the inhabitants of the land. because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities it was larger than Ai and all its men were mighty Persons / Places / Events 1. Adoni-ZedekThe king of Jerusalem who was alarmed by the alliance between Gibeon and Israel. 2. Gibeon A significant city, described as important and mighty, which made a peace treaty with Israel. 3. Ai A city previously conquered by Israel, used as a comparison to highlight Gibeon's importance. 4. Israelites The people of God, led by Joshua, who had entered into a covenant with Gibeon. 5. Mighty Men of Gibeon The 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 Battles Just 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 Reputation Gibeon'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 Faith The 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 Leadership Joshua'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 and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Joshua 10:2?2. How does Joshua 10:2 demonstrate God's power over Israel's enemies? 3. Why did the kings fear Israel as described in Joshua 10:2? 4. How can we trust God's protection like Israel in Joshua 10:2? 5. What other Bible stories show God's intervention for His people? 6. How can Joshua 10:2 inspire us to face our own challenges today? 7. How does Joshua 10:2 align with historical and archaeological evidence of the event? 8. What theological implications arise from the miraculous events described in Joshua 10:2? 9. How does Joshua 10:2 challenge modern scientific understanding of natural laws? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 10? 11. What is the content of the Book of Jasher? 12. What events are chronicled in the Wars of the Lord? 13. What is Gibeon's significance in the Bible? 14. Did Joshua and the Israelites capture Jerusalem? Yes (Joshua 10:23, 40) No (Joshua 15:63) What Does Joshua 10:2 Mean Adoni-zedek and his people were greatly alarmed• Fear follows revelation. News of Israel’s victories over Jericho and Ai (Joshua 6; 8) had already shaken Canaanite morale (Joshua 9:1–2). • Adoni-zedek’s alarm mirrors Rahab’s earlier confession: “all who live in the land are melting in fear because of you” (Joshua 2:9). • The terror points to God’s promise in Exodus 23:27—He would “send My terror ahead of you.” Israel’s obedience allows the Lord’s dread to soften enemy resistance without a sword being lifted. Because Gibeon was a great city • Gibeon held regional weight; its size and influence surpassed most neighboring towns (Joshua 9:17; 18:25). • When such a major city defects to Israel’s side, Adoni-zedek sees the geopolitical map tilting. Comparable shifts later unsettle Philistia when David allies with powerful clans (1 Samuel 18:6–9). • Spiritual takeaway: one decisive move toward covenant faith can reshape an entire culture. Like one of the royal cities • Canaanite polities functioned as city-states with their own kings (Joshua 11:1–2). Calling Gibeon “royal” underscores prestige, fortifications, and resources. • If a royal-level city capitulates to Israel (Joshua 9:3–15), lesser towns have little hope of standing. Zechariah 12:6 later echoes the pattern—strong cities become catalysts for broader victories. It was larger than Ai • Israel’s triumph over Ai had already stunned the land (Joshua 8:1–29). Gibeon’s greater size means an even more demoralizing loss for the Canaanite coalition. • Contrast: Ai fought and fell; Gibeon negotiated and lived. Both demonstrate the unassailable advance of God’s plan, foretold in Deuteronomy 7:1–2. All its men were mighty • The phrase marks Gibeon’s seasoned warriors, comparable to David’s “mighty men” (2 Samuel 23:8). • Even a force of proven valor seeks peace when confronted with the undeniable work of the Lord (Joshua 9:24). Isaiah 33:14 portrays a similar scene where “the sinners in Zion are afraid; trembling seizes the godless.” • Application: earthly strength cannot oppose divine purpose; the wise submit early. summary Joshua 10:2 shows the ripple effect of God’s faithfulness. A premier city—large, fortified, and full of warriors—abandons resistance, sending shockwaves through Canaan’s leadership. Adoni-zedek’s alarm fulfills God’s promise to instill fear in Israel’s foes, proving that no human power or prestige can withstand the march of the Lord’s covenant people. (2) As one of the royal cities.--One of the cities of the kingdom. Gibeon was afterwards the city of the first king of Israel, Saul (1Chronicles 8:29-30; 1Chronicles 8:33).Verse 2. - That they feared greatly. Joshua had certainly obtained an excellent strategic position in the heart of the country; but it was not this which apparently most alarmed the kings who constituted the confederacy, though they did not fail to observe that, as the words "and were among them" show. It was the weight and importance of Gibeon itself, and the fact that its inhabitants were now enlisted, not on the side of the Canaanites, but against them. As one of the royal cities. Observe the minute accuracy of the historian. No king is mentioned in the narrative in ch. 9. We now earn indirectly that they had none. The Vulgate misses the point of the historian by leaving out "as" altogether.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew So [Adoni-zedek and his people] were greatlyמְאֹ֔ד (mə·’ōḏ) Adverb Strong's 3966: Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily alarmed, וַיִּֽירְא֣וּ (way·yî·rə·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten because כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction Gibeon גִּבְע֔וֹן (giḇ·‘ō·wn) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 1391: Gibeon -- a Levitical city in Benjamin [was] a great גְּדוֹלָה֙ (gə·ḏō·w·lāh) Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent city, עִ֤יר (‘îr) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5892: Excitement like one כְּאַחַ֖ת (kə·’a·ḥaṯ) Preposition-k | Number - feminine singular construct Strong's 259: United, one, first of the royal הַמַּמְלָכָ֑ה (ham·mam·lā·ḵāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 4467: Kingdom, sovereignty, dominion, reign cities; עָרֵ֣י (‘ā·rê) Noun - feminine plural construct Strong's 5892: Excitement it הִ֤יא (hî) Pronoun - third person feminine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are was larger גְדוֹלָה֙ (ḡə·ḏō·w·lāh) Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent than מִן־ (min-) Preposition Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of Ai, הָעַ֔י (hā·‘ay) Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 5857: Ai -- a Canaanite city and all וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every its men אֲנָשֶׁ֖יהָ (’ă·nā·še·hā) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person were warriors. גִּבֹּרִֽים׃ (gib·bō·rîm) Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 1368: Powerful, warrior, tyrant Links Joshua 10:2 NIVJoshua 10:2 NLT Joshua 10:2 ESV Joshua 10:2 NASB Joshua 10:2 KJV Joshua 10:2 BibleApps.com Joshua 10:2 Biblia Paralela Joshua 10:2 Chinese Bible Joshua 10:2 French Bible Joshua 10:2 Catholic Bible OT History: Joshua 10:2 That they were very afraid because Gibeon (Josh. 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