Jericho

「When King Adoni-zedek of Jerusalem learned that Joshua had captured Ai and proscribed it, treating Ai and its king as he had treated Jericho and its king, and that, moreover, the inhabitants of Gibeon had come to terms with Israel and remained among them,」

The sacred chest symbolizing God's covenant presence with Israel, guiding and blessing them.

How did Joshua's allotment of the twelve tribes foreshadow the later division of the kingdom?

Tribal tensions in Joshua—geographic and identity fissures that foreshadowed future division.

「When you have written down the description of the land in seven parts, bring it here to me. Then I will cast lots for you here before the ETERNAL our God.」

Twelve stones taken from the Jordan riverbed set up as a permanent sign of God's miraculous crossing, meant to teach future generations of His faithfulness.

Were there already seeds of north-south division in the Joshua period?

Tracing tribal tensions back to the book of Joshua.

「And the border went down unto the brook of Kanah, southward of the brook: these cities belonged to Ephraim among the cities of Manasseh: and the border of Manasseh was on the north side of the brook, and the goings out thereof were at the sea:」

The land promised by God to Israel as a possession, symbolizing covenant blessing and rest.

Before the kingdom split, what seeds of division were already sown in the Joshua era?

Joshua's closing record of unconquered lands and intermingled peoples foreshadowed the coming split.

「By this,” Joshua continued, “you shall know that a living God is among you, and that [God] will dispossess for you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites:」

God's sacred name and reputation, tied to His glory and faithfulness, often invoked to plead for divine action.

Before the kingdom split, what seeds of division were already sown in the Joshua era?

Joshua's closing record of unconquered lands and intermingled peoples foreshadowed the coming split.

「And Jehovah said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of that place was called Gilgal, unto this day.」

The five daughters of Zelophehad who, having no male heirs, successfully claimed their father's inheritance under Mosaic law, establishing a landmark precedent for women's inheritance rights.

How did Joshua's allotment of the twelve tribes foreshadow the later division of the kingdom?

Tribal tensions in Joshua—geographic and identity fissures that foreshadowed future division.

「and when they that bare the ark were come unto the Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (for the Jordan overfloweth all its banks all the time of harvest,)」

An honorific title for Moses emphasizing his special role as God's agent who carried out divine instructions, particularly in allocating the land to the tribes of Israel.

Were there already seeds of division among the tribes in Joshua's time?

From Joshua's farewell charge, look back at tensions within the tribal confederation.

「in the hill-country, and in the lowland, and in the Arabah, and in the slopes, and in the wilderness, and in the South; the Hittite, the Amorite, and the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite:」

Caleb's exclusive devotion to God, serving as a model of faith that secures divine promises.

Were there already seeds of division among the tribes in Joshua's time?

From Joshua's farewell charge, look back at tensions within the tribal confederation.

「Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the side of the wall, and she dwelt upon the wall.」

The nearest relative of a murder victim responsible for avenging the death, yet subject to mercy through cities of refuge. Reflects God's balance of justice and mercy.

Were there already seeds of north-south division in the Joshua period?

Tracing tribal tensions back to the book of Joshua.

「No one shall be able to resist you as long as you live. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.」

Divine command to Joshua not to fear mighty armies, emphasizing trust in God's promised victory.

「further, Gilead, the territories of the Geshurites and the Maacathites, and all of Mount Hermon, and the whole of Bashan up to Salcah—」

Supernatural confusion and fear inflicted by God on enemies, demonstrating divine sovereignty and victory in battle.

「and it went out southward of the ascent of Akrabbim, and passed along to Zin, and went up by the south of Kadesh-barnea, and passed along by Hezron, and went up to Addar, and turned about to Karka;」

Allowed to inherit land in the absence of male heirs, demonstrating God's justice and care for women's rights.

「their boundary ascended westward to Maralah, touching Dabbesheth and touching the wadi alongside Jokneam.」

God's promise to Joshua echoing the divine name from Exodus 3, assuring divine presence and non-abandonment.

「For it was GOD’s doing to stiffen their hearts to give battle to Israel, in order that they might be proscribed without quarter and wiped out, as GOD had commanded Moses.」

The sacred practice of casting lots before the LORD to apportion land, signifying divine sovereignty and providential guidance in the division of the inheritance.

「Now the name of Hebron beforetime was Kiriath-arba; which Arba was the greatest man among the Anakim. And the land had rest from war.」

Moses's distinctive title highlighting his role as God's appointed agent; links the conquest narrative to Mosaic authority, covenant faithfulness, and God's promises to Israel.

「The Israelites assigned those towns with their pastures by lot to the Levites—as GOD had commanded through Moses.」

A land share granted by God to each tribe, underscoring individual and communal blessings within the covenant.

「The fourth lot came out for Issachar, even for the children of Issachar according to their families.」

The tribe set apart for serving God and managing the tabernacle/temple, who received no contiguous territory but were scattered among the tribes.

「And the rest of the children of Kohath had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Ephraim, and out of the tribe of Dan, and out of the half-tribe of Manasseh, ten cities.」

Hebrew for fraud or trickery. The Gibeonites' disguise reveals Israel's failure to seek God's guidance before making critical decisions—a spiritual lapse.

「Israel has sinned! They have broken the covenant by which I bound them. They have taken of the proscribed and put it in their vessels; they have stolen; they have broken faith!」

The active, ever-present God who manifests power and drives out enemies before His people.

「According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only Jehovah thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses.」

Items totally devoted to God in war, forbidden for personal use; violating this ban brings divine judgment.

「If it is because the land of your holding is impure, cross over into the land of GOD’s own holding, where the Tabernacle of GOD abides, and acquire holdings among us. But do not rebel against GOD, and do not rebel against us by building for yourselves an altar other than the altar of the ETERNAL our God.」

Ancestors of a race of giants; King Og of Bashan was their last remnant. Their defeat represents the end of the pre-Israelite, mysterious peoples of the land.

「And Joshua commanded the people, saying, Ye shall not shout, nor let your voice be heard, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout.」

A sacred agreement between God and Israel (or with Gibeon) establishing peace and unity, central to biblical theology.

「And the lot came out for the children of Joseph from the Jordan at Jericho, at the waters of Jericho on the east, even the wilderness, going up from Jericho through the hill-country to Beth-el;」

The tribe set apart for service in the sanctuary; their inheritance is the LORD Himself.

「with seven priests carrying seven ram’s horns preceding the Ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the horns.」

The divine Teaching given through Moses, the foundational guide for Israel's covenant life. Joshua commands faithful observance without deviation to either side.

「that the manslayer that killeth any person unwittingly and unawares may flee thither: and they shall be unto you for a refuge from the avenger of blood.」

God's repeated command to Joshua, emphasizing courage and reliance on divine presence.