Joshua 12:17
Joshua 12:17 in Multiple Translations
the king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one;
The king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one;
the king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one;
The king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one;
The king of Tappuah. The king of Hepher.
The King of Tappuah, one: the King of Hepher, one:
The king of Tappuah, one; The king of Hepher, one;
the king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one;
The king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one;
The king of Taphua one, the king of Opher one,
Tappuah, Hepher,
Berean Amplified Bible — Joshua 12:17
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Joshua 12:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
מֶ֤לֶךְ
תַּפּ֨וּחַ֙
אֶחָ֔ד
מֶ֥לֶךְ
חֵ֖פֶר
אֶחָֽד
מֶ֤לֶךְ
melek
H4428
King's
N-ms
תַּפּ֨וּחַ֙
Tappûwach
H8599
Tappuah
N-proper
אֶחָ֔ד
ʼechâd
H259
one
Adj
מֶ֥לֶךְ
melek
H4428
King's
N-ms
חֵ֖פֶר
Chêpher
H2660
Hepher
N-proper
אֶחָֽד
ʼechâd
H259
one
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Joshua 12:17
מֶ֤לֶךְ
melek
H4428
"King's"
N-ms
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
תַּפּ֨וּחַ֙
Tappûwach
H8599
"Tappuah"
N-proper
Tappuah is a place in the Bible, named after the Hebrew word for apple, possibly meaning the apple city. It is mentioned in Joshua 12:17 and 15:34 as a town in Judah. The name also refers to an Israelite.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.2.43; son of: Hebron (H2275I); brother of: Korah (H7141J), Rekem (H7552I) and Shema (H8087) § Tappuah = "the apple city" a Judaite of the family of Caleb, son of Hebron
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: Tappuah. See also: Joshua 12:17; Joshua 16:8; 1 Chronicles 2:43.
אֶחָ֔ד
ʼechâd
H259
"one"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means one or united, and is used to describe something that is single or unique. It is often translated as one, first, or alone. For example, in Genesis 1:5, God calls the light day and the darkness night, and separates them into one thing from another.
Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)
Usage: Occurs in 739 OT verses. KJV: a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, See also: Genesis 1:5; Exodus 36:26; Numbers 7:70.
מֶ֥לֶךְ
melek
H4428
"King's"
N-ms
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
חֵ֖פֶר
Chêpher
H2660
"Hepher"
N-proper
Hepher refers to a place in Palestine or a person's name, meaning a well. In 1 Chronicles 11:36, a man named Hepher is listed as one of David's warriors, known for his strength. It symbolizes a source of life.
Definition: A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.11.36 § Hepher = "a well" 1) a place in ancient Canaan, west of the Jordan, conquered by Joshua 2) a place in Judah, probably the same as 1 above
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: Hepher. See also: Numbers 26:32; Joshua 17:2; 1 Chronicles 11:36.
אֶחָֽד
ʼechâd
H259
"one"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means one or united, and is used to describe something that is single or unique. It is often translated as one, first, or alone. For example, in Genesis 1:5, God calls the light day and the darkness night, and separates them into one thing from another.
Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)
Usage: Occurs in 739 OT verses. KJV: a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, See also: Genesis 1:5; Exodus 36:26; Numbers 7:70.
Study Notes — Joshua 12:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Kings Defeated West of the Jordan
15the king of Libnah, one; the king of Adullam, one;
16the king of Makkedah, one; the king of Bethel, one;
17the king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one;
18the king of Aphek, one; the king of Lasharon, one; 19the king of Madon, one; the king of Hazor, one;Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Kings 4:10 | Ben-hesed in Arubboth (Socoh and all the land of Hepher belonged to him); |
| 2 | Joshua 15:34 | Zanoah, En-gannim, Tappuah, Enam, |
| 3 | Joshua 19:13 | From there it crossed eastward to Gath-hepher and to Eth-kazin; it extended to Rimmon and curved around toward Neah. |
Joshua 12:17 Summary
This verse, Joshua 12:17, lists two more kings that the Israelites defeated with God's help. The king of Tappuah and the king of Hepher were each in charge of their own cities, but God gave the Israelites victory over them, just as He had promised in Deuteronomy 7:24. This reminds us that God is all-powerful and faithful to His promises, as seen in Joshua 21:43-45. Just like the Israelites, we can trust God to be with us and give us victory over the challenges we face, as promised in Romans 8:37.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the king of Tappuah and the king of Hepher being mentioned in this verse?
The mention of these kings in Joshua 12:17 highlights the extent of God's power and deliverance as seen in Deuteronomy 7:24, where God promises to deliver the kings of the land into the hands of the Israelites.
Why does the Bible list all these kings and their respective cities?
The listing of these kings and cities in Joshua 12 serves as a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to the Israelites, as seen in Joshua 21:43-45, where it is stated that God gave the Israelites all the land He had sworn to give their ancestors.
What can we learn from the fact that each of these cities had its own king?
The fact that each city had its own king emphasizes the complexity and diversity of the societies that the Israelites encountered, and it highlights the magnitude of God's power in giving the Israelites victory over them, as seen in Psalm 136:17-22, where God's power over kings is celebrated.
How does this verse relate to the broader narrative of the book of Joshua?
This verse is part of a larger list of defeated kings in Joshua 12, which serves as a conclusion to the conquest of Canaan and a reminder of God's power and faithfulness, as seen in Joshua 12:7-24, where the list of defeated kings is followed by a statement of God's faithfulness to the Israelites.
Reflection Questions
- What does the mention of these specific kings and cities in Joshua 12:17 reveal about God's character and His relationship with the Israelites?
- How does the listing of these kings and cities challenge or encourage you in your own faith, and what lessons can you apply to your life?
- In what ways can you see God's power and deliverance at work in your own life, just as He was at work in the lives of the Israelites in Joshua 12?
- What does this verse teach you about the importance of remembering and recording God's faithfulness and power in your life and in the life of your community?
Gill's Exposition on Joshua 12:17
The king of Tappuah, one,.... Which Jerom calls (l) Thaffu; it signifies an apple, and perhaps had its name from plenty of that fruit that grew there: a city of this name fell to the tribe of Judah,
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Joshua 12:17
Verse 17. Tappuah] There were two places of this name: one in the tribe of Judah, Joshua 15:34, and another in the tribe of Ephraim on the borders of Manasseh; but which of the two is meant here cannot be ascertained. See Clarke on Joshua 15:53. Hepher] The same, according to Calmet, as Ophrah in the tribe of Benjamin, Joshua 18:23.
Cambridge Bible on Joshua 12:17
17. Tappuah] In the Shephelah, or lowland of Judah, on the lower slopes of the mountains of the N. W. portion of Judah, about 12 miles W. of Jerusalem. Now called Teffûh. Hepher] Mentioned in 1 Kings 4:10. Situation not known.
Whedon's Commentary on Joshua 12:17
17. Tappuah and Hepher are unknown. The former is enumerated, in Joshua 15:34, among the cities of the valley of Judah, and is distinguished from Beth-Tappuah (Joshua 15:53) in the mountains.