Translations
Original
Notes
Joshua led the Israelites through southern Canaan. They captured several important cities but did not burn them. God had promised that Israel would live in cities they had not built (Deuteronomy 6:10).
Gibeon and its neighboring cities were on a plateau (high flat place) north of Jerusalem (see study note on 7:2). With Gibeon now as an ally with Israel, Israel controlled the plateau and the central hill country near Gibeon. Historically, controlling the plateau often meant controlling the hill country. The kings of Canaan had to conquer Gibeon, or they would fail.
This second major section of the book records Joshua's southern and northern campaigns against two coalitions of kings from Canaan. Joshua's victories allowed Israel to settle the hill country from Galilee in the north to the Negev in the south.
Events
People
Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Joshua: Moses' assistant who led Israel into Canaan
Places
Eglon: Amorite king of Lachish; city in Judah Lachish: A fortified city in Judah
Glossary
Conquest and Allotment of the Land Gibeon, Gibeonites Gilgal Joshua (Person) Joshua, Book of Judges, Book of Sword Tribe of Dan
Topics
Captive: Cruelty to Putting to Death Hebron: Hoham, King of, Confederated with Other Kings of the Canaanites Against Joshua Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: Defeats Seven Other Kings Massacre of the Cities of the Seven Kings Sieges: Eglon War of Extermination