What is the meaning of Joshua 9:10? and all that He did “And all that He did” spotlights the mighty acts the LORD performed for Israel—acts so memorable that distant peoples kept talking about them. These works included: • The plagues and Red Sea crossing (Exodus 14–15) • Victories in the wilderness, especially over Sihon and Og (Deuteronomy 2:33; 3:3) • Preservation in the desert (Nehemiah 9:21) By the time the Gibeonites speak in Joshua 9:10, news of these deeds has traveled far, fulfilling Moses’ prediction that surrounding nations would “hear and tremble” (Exodus 15:14–16). The verse reminds us that God’s interventions are public, intentional, and meant to reveal His power. to the two kings of the Amorites The Amorites symbolized entrenched evil in Canaan (Genesis 15:16). God’s judgment on “the two kings of the Amorites” served notice that no earthly power could oppose His covenant promises. Their defeat assured Israel that the conquest west of the Jordan would also succeed (Deuteronomy 3:8). Thus Joshua 9:10 highlights God’s consistency: He deals with sin, protects His people, and keeps His word. beyond the Jordan “Beyond the Jordan” situates the victories east of the river, in territory Israel had not originally planned to occupy (Numbers 21:13). By giving Israel land on both sides, the LORD demonstrated fullness of provision and expanded the borders promised to Abraham (Genesis 15:18). This location detail also intensifies the Gibeonites’ anxiety: if God already granted Israel unexpected territory, nothing would stop them from claiming all of Canaan. Sihon king of Heshbon • Sihon refused Israel peaceful passage (Numbers 21:21–23). • The LORD “delivered Sihon and all his people into the hand of Israel” (Deuteronomy 2:33). • His city, Heshbon, became a marker of God’s triumph (Psalm 135:11). Sihon’s fall pictures God overturning obstinate opposition. The story underscored for Israel—and for fearful neighbors—that resistance to God’s purposes ends in defeat. Og king of Bashan • Og ruled a region famed for fortified cities and giants (Deuteronomy 3:5, 11). • Yet “the LORD our God also delivered Og king of Bashan and all his people into our hands” (Deuteronomy 3:3). • His territory later housed half-tribe Manasseh (Joshua 13:29–31). Og’s downfall proved that size, strength, and superior defenses mean nothing against the LORD. Psalm 136:19–20 celebrates both kings’ defeat as enduring evidence of God’s steadfast love. who reigned in Ashtaroth Ashtaroth, Og’s royal city (Deuteronomy 1:4), was associated with pagan worship. By naming it, Joshua 9:10 underscores the LORD’s supremacy over idolatry. When the Gibeonites mention Ashtaroth, they acknowledge a power shift: the living God has displaced false gods, and the wise response is submission, not resistance. summary Joshua 9:10 recounts how the LORD utterly defeated Sihon and Og east of the Jordan. Each phrase underlines God’s decisive action, His judgment on entrenched wickedness, and His faithful advance of Israel’s inheritance. The Gibeonites cite these victories to explain their urgency: the God who toppled powerful Amorite kings will certainly conquer the rest of Canaan. For today’s reader, the verse affirms that God’s past deeds are reliable indicators of His present power and future faithfulness. |
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