Joshua 12:2

Joshua 12:2 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon. He ruled from Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Valley, along the middle of the valley, up to the Jabbok River (the border of the Ammonites), that is, half of Gilead,

King James Version KJV

Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt in Heshbon, and ruled from Aroer, which is upon the bank of the river Arnon, and from the middle of the river, and from half Gilead, even unto the river Jabbok, which is the border of the children of Ammon;

American Standard Version ASV

Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt in Heshbon, and ruled from Aroer, which is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon, and the city that is in the middle of the valley, and half Gilead, even unto the river Jabbok, the border of the children of Ammon;

Bible in Basic English BBE

Sihon, king of the Amorites, who was living in Heshbon, ruling from Aroer, which is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon, and the town in the middle of the valley, and half Gilead, as far as the river Jabbok, the limits of the children of Ammon;

Free Bible Version FBV

Sihon, king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon, ruled from Aroer on the edge of the Arnon valley, all the way from the middle of the valley to the Jabbok River, the boundary with the Ammonites (and included half of Gilead).

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Sihon King of the Amorites, that dwelt in Heshbon, hauing dominion from Aroer, which is beside the riuer of Arnon, and from the middle of the riuer, and from halfe Gilead vnto the riuer Iabbok, in the border of the children of Ammon.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

Sihon, king of the Amorite, who is dwelling in Heshbon, ruling from Aroer which [is] on the border of the brook Arnon, and the middle of the brook, and half of Gilead, and unto Jabok the brook, the border of the Bene-Ammon;

World English Bible WEB

Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon, and ruled from Aroer, which is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon, and the middle of the valley, and half Gilead, even to the river Jabbok, the border of the children of Ammon;

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt in Heshbon, and ruled from Aroer, which is upon the bank of the river Arnon, and from the middle of the river, and from half Gilead, even to the river Jabbok, which is the border of the children of Ammon;

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Sehon king of the Amorrhites, who dwelt in Hesebon, and had dominion from Aroer, which is seated upon the bank of the torrent Arnon, and of the middle part in the valley, and of half Galaad, as far as the torrent Jaboc, which is the border of the children of Ammon.

Translation for Translators T4T

One of them was Sihon, the king of the Amor people-group. He lived in Heshbon city and ruled over the area from Aroer town along the Arnon River Gorge, north to the Jabbok River. His land started in the middle of the gorge, which was the border between his land and the land of the Ammon people-group. Sihon also ruled over the southern half of the Gilead region,

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Berean Amplified Bible — Joshua 12:2

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 12:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB סִיחוֹן֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ הָ/אֱמֹרִ֔י הַ/יּוֹשֵׁ֖ב בְּ/חֶשְׁבּ֑וֹן מֹשֵׁ֡ל מֵ/עֲרוֹעֵ֡ר אֲשֶׁר֩ עַל שְׂפַת נַ֨חַל אַרְנ֜וֹן וְ/ת֤וֹךְ הַ/נַּ֨חַל֙ וַ/חֲצִ֣י הַ/גִּלְעָ֔ד וְ/עַד֙ יַבֹּ֣ק הַ/נַּ֔חַל גְּב֖וּל בְּנֵ֥י עַמּֽוֹן

סִיחוֹן֙ Çîychôwn H5511 Sihon N-proper

מֶ֣לֶךְ melek H4428 King's N-ms

הָ/אֱמֹרִ֔י ʼĔmôrîy H567 Amorite Art | Ngmsa

הַ/יּוֹשֵׁ֖ב yâshab H3427 to dwell Art | V-Qal

בְּ/חֶשְׁבּ֑וֹן Cheshbôwn H2809 Heshbon Prep | N-proper

מֹשֵׁ֡ל mâshal H4910 to rule V-Qal

מֵ/עֲרוֹעֵ֡ר ʻĂrôwʻêr H6177 Aroer Prep | N-proper

אֲשֶׁר֩ ʼăsher H834 which Rel

עַל ʻal H5921 upon Prep

שְׂפַת sâphâh H8193 lips N-fs

נַ֨חַל nachal H5158 Brook N-ms

אַרְנ֜וֹן ʼArnôwn H769 Arnon N-proper

וְ/ת֤וֹךְ tâvek H8432 midst Conj | N-ms

הַ/נַּ֨חַל֙ nachal H5158 Brook Art | N-ms

וַ/חֲצִ֣י chêtsîy H2677 half Conj | N-ms

הַ/גִּלְעָ֔ד Gilʻâd H1568 Gilead Art | N-proper

וְ/עַד֙ ʻad H5704 till Conj | Prep

יַבֹּ֣ק Yabbôq H2999 Jabbok N-proper

הַ/נַּ֔חַל nachal H5158 Brook Art | N-ms

גְּב֖וּל gᵉbûwl H1366 border N-ms

בְּנֵ֥י bên H1121 son N-mp

עַמּֽוֹן ʻAmmôwn H5983 Ammon N-proper

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Joshua 12:2

סִיחוֹן֙ Çîychôwn H5511 "Sihon" N-proper

Sihon was an Amorite king who lived during the time of the Israelites' wilderness journey. He was defeated by Moses in Transjordan, as recorded in Numbers 21:21. His name means warrior.

Definition: A king of Amorites living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Num.21.21 § Sihon = "warrior" king of the Amorites at the time of the conquest and defeated by Moses in Transjordan

Usage: Occurs in 34 OT verses. KJV: Sihon. See also: Numbers 21:21; Deuteronomy 29:6; Psalms 135:11.

מֶ֣לֶךְ 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.

הָ/אֱמֹרִ֔י ʼĔmôrîy H567 "Amorite" Art | Ngmsa

An Amorite is a member of a Canaanite tribe, first mentioned in Genesis 10:16, descended from Canaan. The Israelites displaced them as they entered the Promised Land.

Definition: Someone descended from Amor(?), first mentioned at Gen.10.16; descended from Canaan (H3667); along with Sidon (H6721), Heth (H2845), Jebusite (H2983), Girgashite (H1622), Hivite (H2340), Arkite (H6208), Sinite (H5513), Arvadite (H0721), Zemarite (H6786) and Hamathite (H2577) § Amorite = "a sayer" one of the peoples of east Canaan and beyond the Jordan, dispossessed by the Israelite incursion from Egypt

Usage: Occurs in 86 OT verses. KJV: Amorite. See also: Genesis 10:16; Joshua 9:1; Psalms 135:11.

הַ/יּוֹשֵׁ֖ב yâshab H3427 "to dwell" Art | V-Qal

This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.

Definition: 1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sit, sit down 1a2) to be set 1a3) to remain, stay 1a4) to dwell, have one's abode 1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited 1c) (Piel) to set, place 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to sit 1d2) to cause to abide, set 1d3) to cause to dwell 1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited 1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to) 1e) (Hophal) 1e1) to be inhabited 1e2) to make to dwell Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)

Usage: Occurs in 977 OT verses. KJV: (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. See also: Genesis 4:16; Leviticus 25:18; Joshua 13:6.

בְּ/חֶשְׁבּ֑וֹן Cheshbôwn H2809 "Heshbon" Prep | N-proper

Heshbon was a city east of the Jordan River, serving as the capital of the Amorites under King Sihon, and later becoming part of the tribes of Reuben and Gad.

Definition: § Heshbon = "stronghold" the capital city of Sihon, king of the Amorites, located on the western border of the high plain and on the border line between the tribes of Reuben and Gad

Usage: Occurs in 37 OT verses. KJV: Heshbon. See also: Numbers 21:25; Joshua 12:5; Isaiah 15:4.

מֹשֵׁ֡ל mâshal H4910 "to rule" V-Qal

To rule means to have power over something or someone, like a king ruling his kingdom, as seen in 1 Samuel. It involves having control and making decisions, like a leader guiding their people. In the Bible, God rules over all things.

Definition: 1) to rule, have dominion, reign 1a) (Qal) to rule, have dominion 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to rule 1b2) to exercise dominion

Usage: Occurs in 74 OT verses. KJV: (have, make to have) dominion, governor, [idiom] indeed, reign, (bear, cause to, have) rule(-ing, -r), have power. See also: Genesis 1:18; Proverbs 16:32; Psalms 8:7.

מֵ/עֲרוֹעֵ֡ר ʻĂrôwʻêr H6177 "Aroer" Prep | N-proper

Aroer is a place name in the Bible, referring to three different locations in or near Palestine. The name means ruins, and it is mentioned in the book of Joshua. This place was significant in biblical times.

Definition: § Aroer = "ruins" a town in southern Judah

Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: Aroer. See also: Numbers 32:34; Judges 11:26; Isaiah 17:2.

אֲשֶׁר֩ ʼăsher H834 "which" Rel

This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.

Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when

Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.

עַל ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep

This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.

Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)

Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.

שְׂפַת sâphâh H8193 "lips" N-fs

This word refers to lips or language, and can also mean the edge or border of something. It is used in the Bible to describe the shore of a sea or the edge of a cup.

Definition: : lips/mouth 1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding 1a) lip (as body part) 1b) language 1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)

Usage: Occurs in 164 OT verses. KJV: band, bank, binding, border, brim, brink, edge, language, lip, prating, (sea-)shore, side, speech, talk, (vain) words. See also: Genesis 11:1; Psalms 120:2; Psalms 12:3.

נַ֨חַל nachal H5158 "Brook" N-ms

The Hebrew word for a brook or stream, often referring to a small river or valley, is used in the Bible to describe natural landscapes, such as the Brook Kidron in 2 Samuel 15:23. It can also refer to a narrow valley or a shaft of a mine, emphasizing the idea of a flowing body of water.

Definition: palm-tree Another name of shi.chor (שִׁיחוֹר "Shihor" H7883G)

Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: brook, flood, river, stream, valley. See also: Genesis 26:17; 1 Kings 18:5; Psalms 18:5.

אַרְנ֜וֹן ʼArnôwn H769 "Arnon" N-proper

The Arnon is a river east of the Jordan, also referring to its surrounding territory. It forms the border between Moab and the Amorites in south Palestine.

Definition: § Arnon = "rushing stream" a river and surrounding valley in south Palestine, forms the border between Moab and the Amorites

Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: Arnon. See also: Numbers 21:13; Deuteronomy 4:48; Isaiah 16:2.

וְ/ת֤וֹךְ tâvek H8432 "midst" Conj | N-ms

This word refers to the middle or center of something, such as a group of people or a physical space. It can also mean among or between things, as seen in various Bible translations.

Definition: 1) midst, middle 1a) midst, middle 1b) into, through (after verbs of motion) 1c) among (of a number of persons) 1d) between (of things arranged by twos) 1e) from among (as to take or separate etc)

Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: among(-st), [idiom] between, half, [idiom] (there-, where-), in(-to), middle, mid(-night), midst (among), [idiom] out (of), [idiom] through, [idiom] with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:6; Numbers 35:5; 2 Chronicles 32:4.

הַ/נַּ֨חַל֙ nachal H5158 "Brook" Art | N-ms

Definition: palm-tree Another name of shi.chor (שִׁיחוֹר "Shihor" H7883G)

Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: brook, flood, river, stream, valley. See also: Genesis 26:17; 1 Kings 18:5; Psalms 18:5.

וַ/חֲצִ֣י chêtsîy H2677 "half" Conj | N-ms

This word means half or middle, describing a division or a part of something. It is used to talk about physical things or time, like half of the day. The Bible uses it in various contexts.

Definition: 1) half 1a) half 1b) middle

Usage: Occurs in 101 OT verses. KJV: half, middle, mid(-night), midst, part, two parts. See also: Exodus 12:29; Ruth 3:8; Psalms 102:25.

הַ/גִּלְעָ֔ד Gilʻâd H1568 "Gilead" Art | N-proper

Gilead refers to a mountainous region east of the Jordan River, also the name of three Israelites. It means 'rocky region' and is sometimes called 'Mount Gilead'.

Definition: Gilead = "rocky region" a mountainous region bounded on the west by the Jordan, on the north by Bashan, on the east by the Arabian plateau, and on the south by Moab and Ammon; sometimes called 'Mount Gilead' or the 'land of Gilead' or just 'Gilead'. Divided into north and south Gilead

Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: Gilead, Gileadite. See also: Genesis 31:21; 1 Samuel 11:9; Psalms 60:9.

וְ/עַד֙ ʻad H5704 "till" Conj | Prep

This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.

Definition: prep 1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as 1a) of space 1a1) as far as, up to, even to 1b) in combination 1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from) 1c) of time 1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end 1d) of degree 1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like conj 2) until, while, to the point that, so that even Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)

Usage: Occurs in 1128 OT verses. KJV: against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as), (hither-) to, [phrase] how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, ([phrase] as) yet. See also: Genesis 3:19; Exodus 32:20; Numbers 23:24.

יַבֹּ֣ק Yabbôq H2999 "Jabbok" N-proper

Jabbok means emptying, a river east of the Jordan. It is where Jacob wrestled with God, as told in the book of Genesis.

Definition: § Jabbok = "emptying" a stream which intersects the mountain range of Gilead, and falls into the Jordan on the east about midway between the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea

Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: Jabbok. See also: Genesis 32:23; Deuteronomy 3:16; Judges 11:22.

הַ/נַּ֔חַל nachal H5158 "Brook" Art | N-ms

Definition: palm-tree Another name of shi.chor (שִׁיחוֹר "Shihor" H7883G)

Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: brook, flood, river, stream, valley. See also: Genesis 26:17; 1 Kings 18:5; Psalms 18:5.

גְּב֖וּל gᵉbûwl H1366 "border" N-ms

This word refers to a boundary or border, like the borders of the Promised Land in Numbers 34:1-12. It can also mean a region or territory, as in the borders of Israel in 1 Kings 8:65.

Definition: : boundary 1) border, territory 1a) border 1b) territory (enclosed within boundary) 1c) region, territory (of darkness) (fig.) Also means: ge.vul (גְּבוּל ": area" H1366H)

Usage: Occurs in 196 OT verses. KJV: border, bound, coast, [idiom] great, landmark, limit, quarter, space. See also: Genesis 10:19; Joshua 19:33; Psalms 78:54.

בְּנֵ֥י bên H1121 "son" N-mp

In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.

Definition: : child/son

Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.

עַמּֽוֹן ʻAmmôwn H5983 "Ammon" N-proper

Ammon refers to a son of Lot and his descendants, who lived in Transjordan. The Ammonites are mentioned in the Bible as a distinct people. They appear in the book of Genesis and are also referenced in the history of the Israelites.

Definition: § Ammon = "tribal" a people dwelling in Transjordan descended from Lot through Ben-ammi

Usage: Occurs in 98 OT verses. KJV: Ammon, Ammonites. See also: Genesis 19:38; 2 Samuel 11:1; Psalms 83:8.

Study Notes — Joshua 12:2

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Context — The Kings Defeated East of the Jordan

1Now these are the kings of the land whom the Israelites struck down and whose lands they took beyond the Jordan to the east, from the Arnon Valley to Mount Hermon, including all the Arabah eastward:

2Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon. He ruled from Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Valley, along the middle of the valley, up to the Jabbok River (the border of the Ammonites), that is, half of Gilead,

3as well as the Arabah east of the Sea of Chinnereth to the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea ), eastward through Beth-jeshimoth, and southward below the slopes of Pisgah. 4And Og king of Bashan, one of the remnant of the Rephaim, who lived in Ashtaroth and Edrei.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Genesis 32:22	During the night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two maidservants, and his eleven sons, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok.
2	Judges 11:22	seizing all the land from the Arnon to the Jabbok and from the wilderness to the Jordan.
3	Psalms 136:19–20	Sihon king of the Amorites His loving devotion endures forever. and Og king of Bashan— His loving devotion endures forever.
4	Deuteronomy 2:24–37	“Arise, set out, and cross the Arnon Valley. See, I have delivered into your hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land. Begin to take possession of it and engage him in battle. This very day I will begin to put the dread and fear of you upon all the nations under heaven. They will hear the reports of you and tremble in anguish because of you.” So from the Wilderness of Kedemoth I sent messengers with an offer of peace to Sihon king of Heshbon, saying, “Let us pass through your land; we will stay on the main road. We will not turn to the right or to the left. You can sell us food to eat and water to drink in exchange for silver. Only let us pass through on foot, just as the descendants of Esau who live in Seir and the Moabites who live in Ar did for us, until we cross the Jordan into the land that the LORD our God is giving us.” But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass through, for the LORD your God had made his spirit stubborn and his heart obstinate, that He might deliver him into your hand, as is the case this day. Then the LORD said to me, “See, I have begun to deliver Sihon and his land over to you. Now begin to conquer and possess his land.” So Sihon and his whole army came out for battle against us at Jahaz. And the LORD our God delivered him over to us, and we defeated him and his sons and his whole army. At that time we captured all his cities and devoted to destruction the people of every city, including women and children. We left no survivors. We carried off for ourselves only the livestock and the plunder from the cities we captured. From Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Valley, along with the city in the valley, even as far as Gilead, not one city had walls too high for us. The LORD our God gave us all of them. But you did not go near the land of the Ammonites, or the land along the banks of the Jabbok River, or the cities of the hill country, or any place that the LORD our God had forbidden.
5	Psalms 135:11	Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the kings of Canaan.
6	Numbers 21:23–30	But Sihon would not let Israel pass through his territory. Instead, he gathered his whole army and went out to confront Israel in the wilderness. When he came to Jahaz, he fought against Israel. And Israel put him to the sword and took possession of his land, from the Arnon to the Jabbok—but only up to the border of the Ammonites, because it was fortified. Israel captured all the cities of the Amorites and occupied them, including Heshbon and all its villages. Heshbon was the city of Sihon king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab and taken all his land as far as the Arnon. That is why the poets say: “Come to Heshbon, let it be rebuilt; let the city of Sihon be restored. For a fire went out from Heshbon, a blaze from the city of Sihon. It consumed Ar of Moab, the rulers of Arnon’s heights. Woe to you, O Moab! You are destroyed, O people of Chemosh! He gave up his sons as refugees, and his daughters into captivity to Sihon king of the Amorites. But we have overthrown them; Heshbon is destroyed as far as Dibon. We demolished them as far as Nophah, which reaches to Medeba. ”
7	Deuteronomy 3:6–17	We devoted them to destruction, as we had done to Sihon king of Heshbon, utterly destroying the men, women, and children of every city. But all the livestock and plunder of the cities we carried off for ourselves. At that time we took from the two kings of the Amorites the land across the Jordan, from the Arnon Valley as far as Mount Hermon— which the Sidonians call Sirion but the Amorites call Senir— all the cities of the plateau, all of Gilead, and all of Bashan as far as the cities of Salecah and Edrei in the kingdom of Og. (For only Og king of Bashan had remained of the remnant of the Rephaim. His bed of iron, nine cubits long and four cubits wide, is still in Rabbah of the Ammonites.) So at that time we took possession of this land. To the Reubenites and Gadites I gave the land beyond Aroer along the Arnon Valley, and half the hill country of Gilead, along with its cities. To the half-tribe of Manasseh I gave the rest of Gilead and all of Bashan, the kingdom of Og. (The entire region of Argob, the whole territory of Bashan, used to be called the land of the Rephaim.) Jair, a descendant of Manasseh, took the whole region of Argob as far as the border of the Geshurites and Maacathites. He renamed Bashan after himself, Havvoth-jair, by which it is called to this day. To Machir I gave Gilead, and to the Reubenites and Gadites I gave the territory from Gilead to the Arnon Valley (the middle of the valley was the border) and up to the Jabbok River, the border of the Ammonites. The Jordan River in the Arabah bordered it from Chinnereth to the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea ) with the slopes of Pisgah to the east.
8	Nehemiah 9:22	You gave them kingdoms and peoples and allotted to them every corner of the land. So they took the land of Sihon king of Heshbon and of Og king of Bashan.
9	Judges 11:13	The king of the Ammonites answered Jephthah’s messengers, “When Israel came up out of Egypt, they seized my land, from the Arnon to the Jabbok and all the way to the Jordan. Now, therefore, restore it peaceably.”

Joshua 12:2 Summary

Joshua 12:2 describes Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon and ruled over a significant portion of land. This verse is part of a larger list of kings and territories conquered by the Israelites under Joshua's leadership, highlighting God's faithfulness to His promises to the Israelites, as seen in Deuteronomy 1:8 and Joshua 1:3-4. The Israelites' defeat of Sihon and other kings demonstrates God's power and sovereignty over all nations and kingdoms, as seen in passages like Psalm 103:19 and Daniel 4:35. By trusting in God and following His leadership, we can experience victory and fulfillment in our own lives, just as the Israelites did in their conquest of Canaan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Sihon king of the Amorites and what was his significance in the Bible?

Sihon was a king of the Amorites who lived in Heshbon and ruled over a significant portion of land, as described in Joshua 12:2, and his defeat is also mentioned in Deuteronomy 2:26-37 and Numbers 21:21-31, where the Israelites, led by Moses, defeated him and took his land as part of their inheritance from God.

What is the location of Heshbon and its importance in biblical history?

Heshbon was a city located in the region of Gilead, which is now part of modern-day Jordan, and it is mentioned in Joshua 12:2 as the residence of Sihon king of the Amorites, and also in other biblical passages such as Numbers 21:25 and Deuteronomy 2:24, where it is mentioned as a city conquered by the Israelites.

What is the significance of the Jabbok River in the Bible and its relation to the Ammonites?

The Jabbok River is mentioned in Joshua 12:2 as the border of the Ammonites, and it is also mentioned in Genesis 32:22-33, where Jacob wrestled with God, and in Deuteronomy 2:37 and 3:16, where it is mentioned as part of the border of the Israelites' inheritance, highlighting its importance as a geographical boundary in biblical history.

How does the description of Sihon's kingdom in Joshua 12:2 relate to the larger narrative of the conquest of Canaan?

The description of Sihon's kingdom in Joshua 12:2 is part of a larger list of kings and territories conquered by the Israelites under Joshua's leadership, as described in Joshua 12:1-24, and it highlights God's faithfulness to His promises to the Israelites, as seen in Deuteronomy 1:8 and Joshua 1:3-4, where God promises to give the land to the Israelites as an inheritance.

Reflection Questions

What can we learn from the example of Sihon king of the Amorites about the consequences of opposing God's people?
How does the description of Sihon's kingdom in Joshua 12:2 relate to the theme of God's sovereignty over all nations and kingdoms?
What role does faith and trust in God play in the conquest of Canaan, as seen in the example of the Israelites' defeat of Sihon and other kings?
How can we apply the principles of God's faithfulness and sovereignty to our own lives and circumstances, just as the Israelites did in their conquest of Canaan?

Gill's Exposition on Joshua 12:2

Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt in Heshbon,.... Which he took from the Moabites, and made his capital city, Numbers 21:26; [and] ruled from Aroer, which [is] upon the bank of the river of

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 12:2

Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt in Heshbon, and ruled from Aroer, which is upon the bank of the river Arnon, and from the middle of the river, and from half Gilead, even unto the river Jabbok,

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Joshua 12:2

From the middle of the river: it is not unusual, even amongst us, for a river to be divided between two lords, and for their territories or jurisdictions to meet in the middle of the river; and besides, here is a very particular reason for this expression, because the city Ar, which was no part of Sihon’ s dominions, but belonged to the Moabites, ,18, was in the middle of the river Arnon, ; and therefore the middle of the river is most fitly and properly here mentioned, as the bound of Sihon’ s dominion on that side. And from half Gilead, Heb. and the half Gilead, i.e. half of the country of Gilead: the particle from is not in the original, and this doth not seem to denote the term or bound from which his dominion begun, as our version implies, for so indeed it was not; but the place or country in and over which his dominion was, which, as is here said, began at Arnon, and took in half Gilead, and ended at Jabbok, beyond which was the other half of Gilead, which belonged to Og, as is expressly said, , where the words being wholly the same that are here, it is most reasonable to understand and translate them in the same manner.

Trapp's Commentary on Joshua 12:2

Joshua 12:2 Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt in Heshbon, [and] ruled from Aroer, which [is] upon the bank of the river Arnon, and from the middle of the river, and from half Gilead, even unto the river Jabbok, [which is] the border of the children of Ammon;Ver. 2. And from half Gilead.] For the other half was held by Og.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Joshua 12:2

Verse 2. From Aroer] Aroer was situated on the western side of the river Arnon, in the middle of the valley through which this river takes its course. The kingdom of Sihon extended from the river Arnon and the city of Aroer on the south to the river Jabbok on the north. And from half Gilead ] The mountains of Gilead extended from north to south from Mount Hermon towards the source of the river Arnon, which was about the midst of the extent of the kingdom of Sihon: thus Sihon is said to have possessed the half of Gilead, that is, the half of the mountains and of the country which bore the name of Gilead on the east of his territories. River Jabbok] This river has its source in the mountains of Gilead; and, running from east to west, falls into Jordan. It bounds the territories of Sihon on the north, and those of the Ammonites on the south.

Cambridge Bible on Joshua 12:2

2. Sihon king of the Amorites] See Numbers 21:24; Deuteronomy 2:33; Deuteronomy 3:6; Deuteronomy 3:16. who dwelt in Heshbon] On the western border of the high plain (Mishor, Joshua 13:17), and on the boundary line between the tribes of Reuben and Gad. “The ruins of Hesbân, 20 miles east of the Jordan, on the parallel of the northern end of the Dead Sea, mark the site, as they bear the name, of the ancient Heshbon.” “There is little, of a place once famed in olden story, for the traveller to see. A large piece of walling at the west end of the bold isolated hill, on which the old fortress stood; with a square block house, and a pointed archway adjoining; a temple on the crest of the hill, with the pavement unbroken and the bases of four columns still in situ; on the east, in the plain, just at the base of the hill, a great cistern, called by some ‘the fish-pools of Hesbon,’ but more probably only the reservoir for the supply of the city—these are all that remain.” Tristram’s Land of Moab, pp. 338, 339. from Aroer] “which is set on the brenke of the stronde of Arnon,” Wyclif. Aroer lay partly on and partly in the Arnon, i. e. on an island, now ’Arâir. It was allotted to Reuben (Joshua 13:16), but later came into the possession of Moab (Jeremiah 48:19). Bochardt found ruins with the name ’Arâir on the old Roman road, upon the very edge of the precipitous north bank of the Wady Mojeb. half Gilead] Properly Gilead denotes (i) a mountain on the south bank of the Jabbok (Genesis 31:21-48) with a city of the same name; (ii) the immediate neighbourhood of this mountain (Numbers 32:1; Deuteronomy 2:36-37); (iii) the whole mountain district between the Arnon and the Jabbok, now called Belka (see Deuteronomy 34:1; 1 Kings 4:19). the river Jabbok] “The streem of Jabuch,” Wyclif, = “the gushing-brook,” now the Wady Zurka.

Whedon's Commentary on Joshua 12:2

2. Aroer — See on Joshua 13:16. The middle of the river — The midst of the valley of the Arnon.

Sermons on Joshua 12:2

	Sermon	Description
	Genesis 32 by Leonard Ravenhill	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of stirring oneself up in the faith. He references the story of Charles Wesley's hymn, "Come Thou Traveler Unknown," to illus
	Visions of God - Part 5 by David Adams	In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the journey of Jacob and how God remained with him throughout his life. Despite Jacob's past trickery and doubts, God continued to be faithf
	A Severe Mercy by Bruce Waltke	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the process of transformation and how it can be achieved through the practice of "leptio divina," which involves reading, meditating, and pray
	Rise and Shine 1999 Conference-04 Keynote Address by William MacDonald	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of not making excuses for our sins. He shares a personal story of a young preacher who felt sorry for himself after a long da
	Jacob's Struggle by Peter Brandon	Peter Brandon preaches on Jacob's struggle with God at the Jabbok River, emphasizing the transformative power of brokenness and the necessity of surrendering to God's will. He illu
	Genesis 32:22 by Chuck Smith	Chuck Smith explores the transformative journey of Jacob, who, despite his self-reliance and cunning, faces defeat when he wrestles with God. In his moment of vulnerability, Jacob
	Casting Down Your Final Idols by David Wilkerson	David Wilkerson emphasizes the significance of Jabbok, the place where Jacob wrestled with God, as a metaphor for the personal struggles Christians face in surrendering their final