Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.

JOSHUA 10:12KJV
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Joshua 10:12 (KJV)

What does Joshua 10:12 mean?

Joshua 10:12 describes how Joshua, during a battle, spoke to the LORD and boldly commanded the sun to stand still over Gibeon and the moon to stop in the valley of Ajalon, so that the Israelites could finish defeating the Amorites. The verse shows Joshua asking God for a miraculous extension of daylight in front of all Israel.

Joshua is leading the Israelites in battle against the Amorites, and as victory seems close but daylight is running out, he publicly calls on God for help. The verse highlights Joshua’s faith and the extraordinary nature of his request, as he asks for the sun (שֶׁמֶשׁ, shemesh) and moon (יָרֵחַ, yareach) to pause, giving the Israelites more time to win the battle.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 10:12

  • שֶׁמֶשׁ (shemesh, "Sun"): This word refers to the sun as the source of daylight. Joshua’s command for the sun to "stand still" shows a request for the day to be supernaturally prolonged.
  • דּוֹם (dom, "still"): This word means to be silent, still, or to stop moving. Joshua’s use of it is striking, as he is not just asking for more time, but for the sun and moon to actually pause in their course.
  • יָרֵחַ (yareach, "Moon"): The moon is also addressed, emphasizing that Joshua wanted both the day and night cycles to halt, affecting the whole sky over the battlefield.
  • גִּבְעוֹן (Gibeon) and עַיָּלוֹן (Ajalon): Naming these specific locations roots the event in real geography, showing this was a public, witnessed event.

Why Joshua 10:12 matters

  • Joshua 10:12 is often misunderstood as a private prayer, but the verse shows Joshua speaking openly before all Israel, making the miracle a public act of faith.
  • The verse emphasizes the close relationship between Joshua and the LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH), showing Joshua’s confidence in asking for something extraordinary.
  • This moment connects to the larger story of God fighting for Israel, reinforcing the theme that Israel’s victories depend on divine intervention, not just military strength.

Where else these words appear

“Ajalon” Hebrew H357 · used in 10 verses

  • Joshua 19:42 And Shaalabbin, and Ajalon, and Jethlah,
  • Judges 12:12 And Elon the Zebulonite died, and was buried in Aijalon in the country of Zebulun.
  • 1 Chronicles 8:13 Beriah also, and Shema, who were heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who drove away the inhabitants of Gath:

“Moon” Hebrew H3394 · used in 26 verses

  • Genesis 37:9 And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.
  • Psalms 72:5 They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.
  • Isaiah 13:10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.

“still” Hebrew H1826 · used in 29 verses

  • Exodus 15:16 Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.
  • Psalms 30:12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.
  • Jeremiah 47:6 O thou sword of the LORD, how long will it be ere thou be quiet? put up thyself into thy scabbard, rest, and be still.

“Gibeon” Hebrew H1391 · used in 35 verses

  • Joshua 9:3 And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai,
  • Joshua 21:17 And out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with her suburbs, Geba with her suburbs,
  • 1 Chronicles 9:35 And in Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon, Jehiel, whose wife's name was Maachah: