Joshua 10:13 (KJV)

What does Joshua 10:13 mean?

Joshua 10:13 describes a miraculous event where the sun stopped moving and the moon stayed in place, allowing the Israelites more time to defeat their enemies. The verse also mentions that this event is recorded in the "book of Jasher," and emphasizes that the sun did not set for about a whole day.

Joshua is leading the Israelites in battle against their enemies, and according to the story, he asks God to make the sun and moon stand still so the Israelites can finish the fight in daylight. The verse highlights the extraordinary nature of this event by noting its record in another ancient source, the "book of Jasher," and by repeating that the sun remained in the sky much longer than usual.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 10:13

• "Sun" (שֶׁמֶשׁ, shemesh) and "moon" (יָרֵחַ, yareach): These words simply refer to the sun and moon, but their mention together underlines the cosmic scale of the event.
• "Stood still" (דָּמַם, damam) and "stayed" (עָמַד, amad): "Damam" often means to be silent or still, suggesting a complete pause, while "amad" means to stand or remain in place. The use of both words stresses that both the sun and moon ceased their usual movement.
• "Book" (סֵפֶר, sefer) and "Jasher" (יָשָׁר, yashar): "Sefer" means book or scroll, and "yashar" means upright or just. The "book of Jasher" is referenced as an external record, suggesting this event was well-known or considered credible in ancient times.

Why Joshua 10:13 matters

• Joshua 10:13 is often misunderstood as only poetic language, but the text itself presents the event as a literal, extraordinary occurrence, emphasizing its uniqueness by referencing another ancient source.
• The verse connects to the broader story of Joshua’s leadership and the Israelites’ reliance on divine intervention during their conquest of Canaan.
• Mentioning the "book of Jasher" shows that the biblical writer is appealing to other records, indicating the importance and notoriety of this event in Israel’s history.