Joshua 10:13
New International Version
So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies, as it is written in the Book of Jashar. The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day.

New Living Translation
So the sun stood still and the moon stayed in place until the nation of Israel had defeated its enemies. Is this event not recorded in The Book of Jashar ? The sun stayed in the middle of the sky, and it did not set as on a normal day.

English Standard Version
And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation took vengeance on their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? The sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for about a whole day.

Berean Standard Bible
So the sun stood still and the moon stopped until the nation took vengeance upon its enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? “So the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day.”

King James Bible
And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.

New King James Version
So the sun stood still, And the moon stopped, Till the people had revenge Upon their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day.

New American Standard Bible
So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, Until the nation avenged themselves of their enemies. Is it not written in the Book of Jashar? And the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and did not hurry to go down for about a whole day.

NASB 1995
So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, Until the nation avenged themselves of their enemies. Is it not written in the book of Jashar? And the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day.

NASB 1977
So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, Until the nation avenged themselves of their enemies.Is it not written in the book of Jashar? And the sun stopped in the middle of the sky, and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day.

Legacy Standard Bible
So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, Until the nation avenged themselves of their enemies. Is it not written in the book of Jashar? And the sun stood in the middle of the sky and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day.

Amplified Bible
So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, Until the nation [of Israel] took vengeance upon their enemies. Is it not written in the Book of Jashar? So the sun stood still in the middle of the sky and was in no hurry to go down for about a whole day.

Christian Standard Bible
And the sun stood still and the moon stopped until the nation took vengeance on its enemies. Isn’t this written in the Book of Jashar? So the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed its setting almost a full day.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
And the sun stood still and the moon stopped until the nation took vengeance on its enemies. Isn’t this written in the Book of Jashar? So the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed its setting almost a full day.

American Standard Version
And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, Until the nation had avenged themselves of their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jashar? And the sun stayed in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.

English Revised Version
And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the nation had avenged themselves of their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jashar? And the sun stayed in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The sun stood still, and the moon stopped until a nation got revenge on its enemies. Isn't this recorded in the Book of Jashar? The sun stopped in the middle of the sky, and for nearly a day the sun was in no hurry to set.

Good News Translation
The sun stood still and the moon did not move until the nation had conquered its enemies. This is written in The Book of Jashar. The sun stood still in the middle of the sky and did not go down for a whole day.

International Standard Version
So the sun remained still and the moon stood in place until the nation settled their score with their enemies. This is recorded, is it not, in the book of Jashar? The sun stood in place in the middle of the sky and seemed not to be in a hurry to set for nearly an entire day.

Majority Standard Bible
So the sun stood still and the moon stopped until the nation took vengeance upon its enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? ?So the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day.?

NET Bible
The sun stood still and the moon stood motionless while the nation took vengeance on its enemies. The event is recorded in the Scroll of the Upright One. The sun stood motionless in the middle of the sky and did not set for about a full day.

New Heart English Bible
The sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the nation had avenged themselves of their enemies. Isn't this written in the book of Jashar? The sun stayed in the midst of the sky, and did not hurry to go down about a whole day.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.

World English Bible
The sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the nation had avenged themselves of their enemies. Isn’t this written in the book of Jashar? The sun stayed in the middle of the sky, and didn’t hurry to go down about a whole day.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the sun stands still, and the moon has stood—until the nation takes vengeance [on] its enemies; is it not written on the Scroll of the Upright, “and the sun stands in the midst of the heavens, and has not hurried to go in—as a perfect day?”

Young's Literal Translation
and the sun standeth still, and the moon hath stood -- till the nation taketh vengeance on its enemies; is it not written on the Book of the Upright, 'and the sun standeth in the midst of the heavens, and hath not hasted to go in -- as a perfect day?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the sun will be silent, and the moon stood, till the people will be avenged upon its enemies. Is it not written upon the book of the upright? and the sun will stand in the half of the heavens, and it hasted not to go down for a whole day.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the sun and the moon stood still, till the people revenged themselves of their enemies. Is not this written in the book of the just? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down the space of one day.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the sun and the moon stood still, until the people had avenged themselves of their enemies. Has this not been written in the book of the just? And so the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and it did not hurry to its rest for the space of one day.

New American Bible
The sun stood still, the moon stayed, while the nation took vengeance on its foes. This is recorded in the Book of Jashar. The sun halted halfway across the heavens; not for an entire day did it press on.

New Revised Standard Version
And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation took vengeance on their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? The sun stopped in midheaven, and did not hurry to set for about a whole day.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. And, behold, it is written in the Book of the Songs, So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down, about a whole day.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the sun stopped and the moon stood still until the people was avenged on its enemies, and behold, it is written in The Book of Songs. And the sun stood still at mid sky and did not hurry to set, and it was about a whole day
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, Until the nation had avenged themselves of their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jashar? And the sun stayed in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the sun and the moon stood still, until God executed vengeance on their enemies; and the sun stood still in the midst of heaven; it did not proceed to set till the end of one day.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Day the Sun Stood Still
12On the day that the LORD gave the Amorites over to the Israelites, Joshua spoke to the LORD in the presence of Israel: “O sun, stand still over Gibeon, O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.” 13So the sun stood still and the moon stopped until the nation took vengeance upon its enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? “So the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day.” 14There has been no day like it before or since, when the LORD listened to the voice of a man, because the LORD fought for Israel.…

Cross References
Habakkuk 3:11
Sun and moon stood still in their places at the flash of Your flying arrows, at the brightness of Your shining spear.

2 Samuel 1:18
and he ordered that the sons of Judah be taught the Song of the Bow. It is written in the Book of Jashar:

Isaiah 38:8
I will make the sun’s shadow that falls on the stairway of Ahaz go back ten steps.’” So the sunlight went back the ten steps it had descended.

Job 9:7
He commands the sun not to shine; He seals off the stars.

Psalm 19:4-6
their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens He has pitched a tent for the sun. / Like a bridegroom emerging from his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course, / it rises at one end of the heavens and runs its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.

Psalm 74:16
The day is Yours, and also the night; You established the moon and the sun.

Psalm 136:7-9
He made the great lights—His loving devotion endures forever. / the sun to rule the day, His loving devotion endures forever. / the moon and stars to govern the night. His loving devotion endures forever.

1 Kings 8:56
“Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel according to all that He promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises He made through His servant Moses.

2 Kings 20:9-11
And Isaiah had replied, “This will be a sign to you from the LORD that He will do what He has promised: Would you like the shadow to go forward ten steps, or back ten steps?” / “It is easy for the shadow to lengthen ten steps,” answered Hezekiah, “but not for it to go back ten steps.” / So Isaiah the prophet called out to the LORD, and He brought the shadow back the ten steps it had descended on the stairway of Ahaz.

Jeremiah 31:35
Thus says the LORD, who gives the sun for light by day, who sets in order the moon and stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—the LORD of Hosts is His name:

Amos 8:9
And in that day, declares the Lord GOD, I will make the sun go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the daytime.

Matthew 24:29
Immediately after the tribulation of those days: ‘The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.’

Mark 13:24-25
But in those days, after that tribulation: ‘The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; / the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.’

Luke 21:25
There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among the nations, bewildered by the roaring of the sea and the surging of the waves.

Acts 2:20
The sun will be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the coming of the great and glorious Day of the Lord.


Treasury of Scripture

And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves on their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the middle of heaven, and hurried not to go down about a whole day.

until

Numbers 31:2
Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites: afterward shalt thou be gathered unto thy people.

Judges 5:2
Praise ye the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves.

Judges 16:28
And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.

Jasher.

Numbers 21:14
Wherefore it is said in the book of the wars of the LORD, What he did in the Red sea, and in the brooks of Arnon,

2 Samuel 1:18
(Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.)

So the sun

Joshua 10:11,14
And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword…

Psalm 19:4
Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,

Psalm 74:16,17
The day is thine, the night also is thine: thou hast prepared the light and the sun…

Jump to Previous
Avenged Book Enemies Hasted Heaven Hurry Jashar Jasher Midst Moon Nation Sky Stood Stopped Sun Themselves Whole Written
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Avenged Book Enemies Hasted Heaven Hurry Jashar Jasher Midst Moon Nation Sky Stood Stopped Sun Themselves Whole Written
Joshua 10
1. Five kings war against Gibeon
6. 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 the sun stood still
This phrase describes a miraculous event where the sun halts in its course. In the ancient Near Eastern context, celestial bodies were often associated with deities, but here, the God of Israel demonstrates His sovereignty over creation. This event underscores God's direct intervention in human affairs, particularly in support of His chosen people. The miracle is a testament to God's power and His commitment to fulfilling His promises to Israel.

and the moon stopped
The mention of the moon stopping alongside the sun emphasizes the completeness of the miracle. In the Hebrew calendar, which is lunar-based, the moon's position was crucial for timekeeping. This event signifies a suspension of natural order, highlighting the extraordinary nature of God's intervention. It also serves as a reminder of God's control over time and space, reinforcing His omnipotence.

until the nation took vengeance upon its enemies
This phrase indicates the purpose of the miracle: to allow Israel to achieve victory over its adversaries. The context is the battle against the Amorite kings, where Israel needed more time to secure a decisive victory. This act of divine intervention aligns with God's covenant promises to give Israel the land of Canaan and to protect them from their enemies. It also reflects the biblical theme of divine justice and retribution against those who oppose God's people.

Is this not written in the Book of Jashar?
The Book of Jashar is a non-canonical text referenced in the Old Testament, also mentioned in 2 Samuel 1:18. It is thought to be a collection of poetic writings or songs celebrating Israel's heroes and significant events. The citation of this book lends historical credibility to the account, suggesting that the event was well-known and recorded in other ancient sources. It also highlights the importance of oral and written traditions in preserving Israel's history.

“So the sun stopped in the middle of the sky
This repetition emphasizes the miraculous nature of the event. The sun's position "in the middle of the sky" suggests it was midday, a time when the sun would be at its peak. This detail underscores the dramatic pause in time, allowing Israel to continue their battle in daylight. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's ability to alter the natural world for the sake of His people.

and delayed going down about a full day.”
The phrase "about a full day" indicates the extent of the miracle, suggesting an extension of daylight far beyond normal limits. This prolonged day allowed Israel to achieve complete victory, demonstrating God's provision and support. The event foreshadows the ultimate victory of God's people over evil, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture. It also prefigures the eternal light and victory found in Jesus Christ, who is described as the "light of the world" in John 8:12.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Joshua
The leader of Israel, who succeeded Moses and led the Israelites into the Promised Land. He is a central figure in this miraculous event, as his faith and leadership are instrumental in the victory.

2. The Israelites
The nation of God's chosen people, who are engaged in battle against the Amorite kings. Their victory is aided by the miraculous event of the sun standing still.

3. The Amorites
A coalition of five kings and their armies who oppose Israel. They are the enemies against whom the Israelites are fighting.

4. The Book of Jashar
An ancient text referenced in the Bible, which is believed to be a collection of songs or poems celebrating Israel's heroes and victories.

5. Gibeon
The location near which the battle takes place. It is significant as the site of the miraculous event where the sun and moon stood still.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Creation
The event of the sun standing still demonstrates God's absolute control over the universe. Believers can trust that God is capable of intervening in the natural world to accomplish His purposes.

The Power of Prayer and Faith
Joshua's bold prayer for the sun to stand still is a testament to his faith. Christians are encouraged to pray with faith, believing that God can do the impossible.

God's Faithfulness to His Promises
The victory over the Amorites is a fulfillment of God's promise to give the land to Israel. This assures believers that God is faithful to His promises and will fulfill them in His timing.

The Importance of Obedience and Leadership
Joshua's leadership and obedience to God's commands are crucial in this victory. Christians are called to lead with integrity and follow God's guidance in their lives.(13) And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed.--Literally, the sun was silent, and the moon stopped.

The sun stood still (i.e., stopped) in the midst of heaven.--Literally, in the half of the heavens--i.e., either "in the midst of heaven," or "in the same hemisphere" (in the one-half of the heavens).

And hasted not to go down (or to go in) about a whole day.--The word cannot mean to rise, or ascend, and thus these words absolutely exclude the view that what Joshua desired was to prevent the sun from rising, in order to complete a night attack upon the Amorites.

Verse 13. - The moon stayed. The word עמד, which does mean to stand still, is used here. See also Habakkuk 3:11. But if we are to apply it to the moon and not to the light of the moon, where would be the use of the moon's standing still in the valley of Ajalon, when she would be low down in the sky westward, and incapable of rendering Joshua any help? If we regard the light of the moon as meant, there is no phrase more common in poetry and poetic prose than to speak of moonbeams "resting" upon an object. The people. The word here is גוִי. See note on Joshua 5:6. The Book of Jasher. See Introduction, Note 6. And the sun stood still. Here the word עָמַד is used of the sun. But, as before, it refers naturally enough to the sun's light. The declining sun continued to shine upon Gibeon, and in the neighbourhood, upon the descent from Beth-heron the Upper, and on the whole region throughout which the fugitive Canaanites were scattered. We need not suppose that all the discomfited host fled in one direction, and possibly in the neighbourhood of Gibeon itself there remained quite enough of the scattered portions of the host to need urgently the sun's light to complete their destruction. The midst. The Hebrew here is not the usual word for midst. It signifies literally, the half. About a whole day. Literally, as a perfect day. The LXX. renders οὐ προσεπορεύετο εἰς ἱυσμάς εἰς τέλος ἡμέρας μιᾶς, and the Vulgate, "Non festinavit occumbere spatio unius dict." What is the precise meaning of this passage it is difficult to say. The language is very obscure. It has been usually interpreted to mean that the sun remained in the heavens twelve hours longer than usual. But this, though the most natural, is by no means the only interpretation of the passage. The words, "did not hasten to go down as a perfect day," cannot be proved to have this meaning. In fact, it is difficult to fix a precise meaning on them. They belong rather to the domain of poetry than history, and their language is that of hyperbole rather than of exact narration of facts. Consequently, we are not entitled to build conclusions upon them, or draw arguments from them. It seems tolerably clear that twelve additional hours could hardly have been required by the Israelites for the complete extermination of their enemies.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So the sun
הַשֶּׁ֜מֶשׁ (haš·še·meš)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 8121: The sun, the east, a ray, a notched battlement

stood still
וַיִּדֹּ֨ם (way·yid·dōm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1826: To be dumb, to be astonished, to stop, to perish

and the moon
וְיָרֵ֣חַ (wə·yā·rê·aḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3394: The moon

stopped
עָמָ֗ד (‘ā·māḏ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

until
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

the nation
גּוֹי֙ (gō·w)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts

took vengeance
יִקֹּ֥ם (yiq·qōm)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5358: To grudge, avenge, punish

upon its enemies.
אֹֽיְבָ֔יו (’ō·yə·ḇāw)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 341: Hating, an adversary

Is this
הִ֥יא (hî)
Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

not
הֲלֹא־ (hă·lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

written
כְתוּבָ֖ה (ḵə·ṯū·ḇāh)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singular
Strong's 3789: To grave, to write

in
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the Book
סֵ֣פֶר (sê·p̄er)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5612: A missive, document, writing, book

of Jashar?
הַיָּשָׁ֑ר (hay·yā·šār)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 3477: Straight, right

“So the sun
הַשֶּׁ֙מֶשׁ֙ (haš·še·meš)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 8121: The sun, the east, a ray, a notched battlement

stopped
וַיַּעֲמֹ֤ד (way·ya·‘ă·mōḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

in the middle
בַּחֲצִ֣י (ba·ḥă·ṣî)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2677: The half, middle

of the sky
הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם (haš·šā·ma·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky

and delayed
וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

going down
לָב֖וֹא (lā·ḇō·w)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

almost a full
תָּמִֽים׃ (tā·mîm)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 8549: Entire, integrity, truth

day.?
כְּי֥וֹם (kə·yō·wm)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day


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OT History: Joshua 10:13 The sun stood still and the moon (Josh. Jos)
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