Joshua 12:7-24

Joshua 12:7-24

[7] And these are the kings  of the country  which Joshua  and the children  of Israel  smote  on this side  Jordan  on the west,  from Baalgad  in the valley  of Lebanon  even unto the mount  Halak,  that goeth up  to Seir;  which Joshua  gave  unto the tribes  of Israel  for a possession  according to their divisions;  [8] In the mountains,  and in the valleys,  and in the plains,  and in the springs,  and in the wilderness,  and in the south country;  the Hittites,  the Amorites,  and the Canaanites,  the Perizzites,  the Hivites,  and the Jebusites:  [9] The king  of Jericho,  one;  the king  of Ai,  which is beside  Bethel,  one;  [10] The king  of Jerusalem,  one;  the king  of Hebron,  one;  [11] The king  of Jarmuth,  one;  the king  of Lachish,  one;  [12] The king  of Eglon,  one;  the king  of Gezer,  one;  [13] The king  of Debir,  one;  the king  of Geder,  one;  [14] The king  of Hormah,  one;  the king  of Arad,  one;  [15] The king  of Libnah,  one;  the king  of Adullam,  one;  [16] The king  of Makkedah,  one;  the king  of Bethel,  one;  [17] The king  of Tappuah,  one;  the king  of Hepher,  one;  [18] The king  of Aphek,  one;  the king  of Lasharon,  one;  [19] The king  of Madon,  one;  the king  of Hazor,  one;  [20] The king  of Shimronmeron,  one;  the king  of Achshaph,  one;  [21] The king  of Taanach,  one;  the king  of Megiddo,  one;  [22] The king  of Kedesh,  one;  the king  of Jokneam  of Carmel,  one;  [23] The king  of Dor  in the coast  of Dor,  one;  the king  of the nations  of Gilgal,  one;  [24] The king  of Tirzah,  one:  all the kings  thirty  and one. 

What does Joshua 12:7-24 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The writer identified31kings in the essential order in which Joshua defeated them.
"Many of the same names appear in the Amarna letters, thus confirming the historicity of our text." [1]
"The description was not complete. Shechem is not mentioned, and the hills of Ephraim are sparsely represented, as is the territory north of Hazor. Completeness is not the object. The writer seeks to compile a list that will impress the readers with the greatness of the feat of God in working for Israel and of the greatness of the leadership of Joshua in following the example of Moses and completing the task first given to Moses. Still, the writer is aware that much remains to be done." [2]
This summary concludes the record of the conquest of the land (chs1-12), Joshua"s first major responsibility. He was now able to divide the land among the Israelites (chs13-21), his second great work ( Joshua 1:6).