Joshua 10:2 shows how the strength of Gibeon stirred great fear in the hearts of neighboring rulers.
that he feared greatly because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all its men were mighty. (v.2) This verse describes a significant concern held by Adoni-zedek, the king of Jerusalem. Historically, Adoni-zedek was active around 1400 BC, ruling during the period when Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land. The city of Jerusalem during this era was a smaller settlement compared to the future prominence it would gain, particularly during the reigns of kings David and Solomon. Here, the word “feared” denotes a deep sense of alarm because Gibeon (located a few miles northwest of Jerusalem) was well-fortified and strategically important, sometimes compared to other royal cities of the time for its size and might. Gibeon’s warriors were renowned for their strength, which further heightened Adoni-zedek’s anxiety.
When the verse says “because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities” (v.2), it highlights both the formidable defenses of Gibeon and its political weight in the region. Gibeon’s alliance with Israel intensified the king’s worry. Not only did Gibeon have its own robust defense, but now it was also under the protective umbrella of Joshua, whose reputation for victories like Jericho and Ai preceded him. Historically, Ai was a smaller location whose defeat by Israel had already put other kingdoms on notice (Joshua 8:1-29). Therefore, if Gibeon, “greater than Ai,” formed a pact with Joshua and the Israelites, Adoni-zedek saw his own territory in grave danger.
The mention of “all its men were mighty” (v.2) underlines the quality and valor of Gibeon’s fighting force. Combining such a formidable city with the God of Israel’s work through Joshua added up to a threat that the king of Jerusalem could not ignore. This sense of impending confrontation resonates with the broader narrative of how God was establishing His people in the land, a process that points forward to the ultimate plan of redemption in Jesus Christ (John 3:16). The events in Joshua illustrate God’s faithfulness to His promises, thus foreshadowing the fullness of salvation later revealed in the New Testament.
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Joshua 10:2 meaning
that he feared greatly because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all its men were mighty. (v.2) This verse describes a significant concern held by Adoni-zedek, the king of Jerusalem. Historically, Adoni-zedek was active around 1400 BC, ruling during the period when Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land. The city of Jerusalem during this era was a smaller settlement compared to the future prominence it would gain, particularly during the reigns of kings David and Solomon. Here, the word “feared” denotes a deep sense of alarm because Gibeon (located a few miles northwest of Jerusalem) was well-fortified and strategically important, sometimes compared to other royal cities of the time for its size and might. Gibeon’s warriors were renowned for their strength, which further heightened Adoni-zedek’s anxiety.
When the verse says “because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities” (v.2), it highlights both the formidable defenses of Gibeon and its political weight in the region. Gibeon’s alliance with Israel intensified the king’s worry. Not only did Gibeon have its own robust defense, but now it was also under the protective umbrella of Joshua, whose reputation for victories like Jericho and Ai preceded him. Historically, Ai was a smaller location whose defeat by Israel had already put other kingdoms on notice (Joshua 8:1-29). Therefore, if Gibeon, “greater than Ai,” formed a pact with Joshua and the Israelites, Adoni-zedek saw his own territory in grave danger.
The mention of “all its men were mighty” (v.2) underlines the quality and valor of Gibeon’s fighting force. Combining such a formidable city with the God of Israel’s work through Joshua added up to a threat that the king of Jerusalem could not ignore. This sense of impending confrontation resonates with the broader narrative of how God was establishing His people in the land, a process that points forward to the ultimate plan of redemption in Jesus Christ (John 3:16). The events in Joshua illustrate God’s faithfulness to His promises, thus foreshadowing the fullness of salvation later revealed in the New Testament.