These two kings exemplify God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises.
“the king of Eglon, one; the king of Gezer, one” (v.12)
In this verse, Joshua continues his tally of the Canaanite kings defeated by the Israelites as they claimed the Promised Land under God’s guidance. By declaring, “the king of Eglon, one; the king of Gezer, one” (v.12), Scripture highlights how each king and city fell before Israel’s army. Eglon was a key city in the southwestern region of Canaan and was part of a larger coalition of Amorite city-states that once banded together against Israel (Joshua 10:5). Gezer lay in the central area of Canaan, a strategic location that was not fully driven out by the Israelites in subsequent generations (Judges 1:29).
This brief mention underscores God’s fulfillment of His promise to give the land to His people. In the larger context of Joshua 12, each defeated king represents how the Lord fought on behalf of Israel, securing victory over pagan rulers. The conquest of Eglon and Gezer also foreshadows Israel’s continuing challenges in fully possessing the land. Over time, pockets of resistance remained because some tribes did not complete the task of removing Canaanite influence (Judges 1:27-29). Nevertheless, this verse testifies to God’s sovereignty, as the people who had once been enslaved in Egypt now toppled entrenched kingdoms under Joshua’s leadership.
In a broader biblical sense, these conquests anticipate a future and greater deliverance—one realized in Jesus, who came to bring victory over sin and spiritual slavery for all who trust in Him (John 8:36). Much like the physical battles fought under Joshua, Jesus’ ultimate victory was divinely ordained and calls for faith among God’s people.
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Joshua 12:12 meaning
“the king of Eglon, one; the king of Gezer, one” (v.12)
In this verse, Joshua continues his tally of the Canaanite kings defeated by the Israelites as they claimed the Promised Land under God’s guidance. By declaring, “the king of Eglon, one; the king of Gezer, one” (v.12), Scripture highlights how each king and city fell before Israel’s army. Eglon was a key city in the southwestern region of Canaan and was part of a larger coalition of Amorite city-states that once banded together against Israel (Joshua 10:5). Gezer lay in the central area of Canaan, a strategic location that was not fully driven out by the Israelites in subsequent generations (Judges 1:29).
This brief mention underscores God’s fulfillment of His promise to give the land to His people. In the larger context of Joshua 12, each defeated king represents how the Lord fought on behalf of Israel, securing victory over pagan rulers. The conquest of Eglon and Gezer also foreshadows Israel’s continuing challenges in fully possessing the land. Over time, pockets of resistance remained because some tribes did not complete the task of removing Canaanite influence (Judges 1:27-29). Nevertheless, this verse testifies to God’s sovereignty, as the people who had once been enslaved in Egypt now toppled entrenched kingdoms under Joshua’s leadership.
In a broader biblical sense, these conquests anticipate a future and greater deliverance—one realized in Jesus, who came to bring victory over sin and spiritual slavery for all who trust in Him (John 8:36). Much like the physical battles fought under Joshua, Jesus’ ultimate victory was divinely ordained and calls for faith among God’s people.