Jos 12 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Josh 12:1-24: 12:1-24 This chapter summarizes Israel’s conquests on both sides of the Jordan and transitions to Joshua’s distribution of the land of Canaan among the tribes of Israel (ch 13 ). 12:1 The Arnon River flows into the Dead Sea midway down its eastern side, creating the Arnon Gorge. Israel began its conquests here (see Num 21:13-15 , 21-35 ). • Mount Hermon lies twenty-five miles north-northeast of the Sea of Galilee.

Summary for Josh 12:1-24: 12:1-24 ^a This chapter summarizes Israel’s conquests on both sides of the Jordan and transitions to Joshua’s distribution of the land of Canaan among the tribes of Israel (ch 13 ^b). 12:1 ^c The Arnon River flows into the Dead Sea midway down its eastern side, creating the Arnon Gorge. Israel began its conquests here (see Num 21:13-15 ^d, 21-35 ^e).

• Mount Hermon lies twenty-five miles north-northeast of the Sea of Galilee.
12:2 ^f King Sihon (see Num 21:24-25 ^g) had controlled the northern Jordan Valley as far as the Sea of Galilee but not the northern part of Gilead (Josh 12:5 ^h).
12:3 ⁱ Beth-jeshimoth was Israel’s camp in the plains of Moab (Num 33:49 ^j).

• Moses had viewed the Promised Land from Pisgah (Deut 34:1 ^k).
12:4 ^l King Og of Bashan: See Num 21:33-35 ^m.

• The Rephaites were an indigenous people who lived on both sides of the Jordan. Many scholars have concluded that the Rephaites were unusually tall (see Deut 3:11 ⁿ).

• Ashtaroth and Edrei: Many rulers of large kingdoms had palaces in more than one of their cities. The fact that Joshua credits only Og with more than one capital indicates that his kingdom was much larger than others Israel encountered, except for Sihon’s.
12:6 ^o Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh: See Num 32 ^p. The author of Joshua reminded the Israelites that their kin who lived east of the Jordan also belonged to Israel.
Summary for Josh 12:7-24: 12:7-24 ^q Joshua and the Israelite armies faithfully carried out the tasks God gave them. This summary showcases their successes, providing proper recognition for their faithfulness. God gave the Israelites their promised inheritance while bringing about the long-delayed judgment of the Canaanites. This roster of defeated kings, identified by their city-states, provides evidence of God’s accomplished purposes. A solemn yet joyful recital for Israel, the list symbolizes God’s mighty acts for his people and exalts his own great name. 12:7 ^r Baal-gad was at the western foot of Mount Hermon, the northern limit of Joshua’s conquests west of the Jordan.

• The valley of Lebanon divided the coastal Lebanon range and the inland Anti-Lebanon range.

• Mount Halak, which leads up to Seir (i.e., Edom), marked the southern limit of Joshua’s conquests.
12:8 ^s Hittites ... Jebusites: See study note on 3:10.