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." So the sun stood stillThis phrase is one of the most miraculous events recorded in the Old Testament. The Hebrew word for "stood still" is "דָּמַם" (damam), which can mean to be silent, still, or to cease. This suggests a divine intervention where the natural order was paused. Historically, this event underscores God's sovereignty over creation, affirming His power to alter the cosmos for the sake of His people. The sun, a symbol of constancy and reliability, obeys the command of the Creator, highlighting the supremacy of God over all creation. and the moon stopped
The Hebrew word for "stopped" is "עָמַד" (amad), meaning to stand or remain. This indicates a halting of the moon's course, complementing the sun's stillness. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, celestial bodies were often deified, yet here they are shown to be under the authority of Yahweh. This act serves as a testament to the Israelites and their enemies that the God of Israel is the one true God, who controls even the heavens. until the nation took vengeance on its enemies
The phrase emphasizes the purpose behind the miracle: to enable Israel to achieve victory over their adversaries. The Hebrew word for "vengeance" is "נָקָם" (naqam), which can mean retribution or justice. This reflects the biblical theme of divine justice, where God empowers His people to execute judgment on those who oppose His will. It reassures believers that God is actively involved in the battles of life, providing the means to overcome challenges and fulfill His promises. Is this not written in the Book of Jashar?
The "Book of Jashar" is a non-canonical text referenced here and in 2 Samuel 1:18. The Hebrew term "יָשָׁר" (yashar) means "upright" or "just," suggesting that this book contained songs or poems celebrating righteous acts. Its mention authenticates the event, indicating that it was well-known and recorded in other historical documents of the time. This reference encourages believers to trust in the historical reliability of Scripture and the mighty acts of God recorded therein. The sun stopped in the middle of the sky
This phrase describes the miraculous nature of the event, with the sun halting at its zenith. The Hebrew word for "middle" is "חֲצִי" (chatsi), meaning halfway or midst. This emphasizes the unnatural extension of daylight, providing the Israelites with the necessary time to secure victory. It serves as a reminder of God's perfect timing and provision, ensuring that His purposes are accomplished in the lives of His people. and delayed going down about a full day
The phrase "delayed going down" uses the Hebrew "לֹא אָץ" (lo atz), meaning not to hasten or rush. This indicates a supernatural extension of time, a full day beyond the normal cycle. This extraordinary event demonstrates God's willingness to intervene in human affairs in profound ways. It inspires believers to have faith in God's ability to transcend natural laws for the fulfillment of His divine will and the benefit of His people. Persons / Places / Events 1. JoshuaThe 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 IsraelitesThe 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 AmoritesA coalition of five kings and their armies who oppose Israel. They are the enemies against whom the Israelites are fighting. 4. The Book of JasharAn ancient text referenced in the Bible, which is believed to be a collection of songs or poems celebrating Israel's heroes and victories. 5. GibeonThe 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 CreationThe 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 FaithJoshua'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 PromisesThe 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 LeadershipJoshua'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. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the event of the sun standing still in Joshua 10:13 demonstrate God's power and sovereignty over creation? 2. In what ways can Joshua's faith and prayer inspire us to pray boldly in our own lives? 3. How does the reference to the Book of Jashar in Joshua 10:13 enhance our understanding of the historical and cultural context of this event? 4. What are some other instances in the Bible where God intervened in nature to accomplish His purposes, and what can we learn from them? 5. How can we apply the lessons of obedience and leadership from Joshua's example in our personal and community lives today? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 1:14-19The creation of the sun and moon as celestial bodies that govern day and night. This connection highlights God's sovereignty over creation, as He can alter the natural order for His purposes. Habakkuk 3:11A poetic reference to the sun and moon standing still, which echoes the miraculous event in Joshua, emphasizing God's power in delivering His people. Psalm 19:1-6The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sun is described as a bridegroom. This passage underscores the majesty and control God has over the celestial bodies. 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 Attackers, Avenged, Book, Delayed, Didn't, Enemies, Full, Hasted, Hasten, Heaven, Heavens, Hurry, Isn't, Itself, Jashar, Jasher, Kept, Middle, Midst, Moon, Nation, Perfect, Punishment, Recorded, Rest, Sky, Space, Standeth, Standing, Stayed, Stood, Stopped, Taketh, Themselves, Till, Upright, Vengeance, Waiting, WrittenDictionary of Bible Themes Joshua 10:13 4272 sky
5232 book Joshua 10:6-14 5608 warfare, strategies Joshua 10:12-13 4251 moon Joshua 10:12-14 1416 miracles, nature of Joshua 10:13-14 5493 retribution 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 10:13 NIVJoshua 10:13 NLTJoshua 10:13 ESVJoshua 10:13 NASBJoshua 10:13 KJV
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