That they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all the men thereof were mighty.

JOSHUA 10:2KJV
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Joshua 10:2 (KJV)

What does Joshua 10:2 mean?

Joshua 10:2 explains that the neighboring kings were very afraid because Gibeon was a large and important city, even greater than Ai, and its men were known as strong warriors. The verse highlights why the alliance between Israel and Gibeon caused such alarm among the other local rulers.

The setting is after the people of Gibeon made a peace treaty with Joshua and Israel. The verse describes the reaction of the other Canaanite kings, who saw Gibeon as a powerful city ("one of the royal cities") with mighty men. Their fear was not just about the alliance, but also about the strength and reputation of Gibeon itself.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 10:2

  • "feared" (יָרֵא, yare): This word means to be afraid or terrified. Here, it emphasizes the deep anxiety the kings felt about the new alliance.
  • "greatly" (מְאֹד, me'od): This intensifies the fear, showing it was not just concern but overwhelming fear.
  • "great" (גָּדוֹל, gadol): Used to describe Gibeon, this word means large or important, stressing the city's significance.
  • "mighty" (גִּבּוֹר, gibbor): Refers to the men of Gibeon as strong or valiant warriors, which helps explain why their alliance with Israel was so intimidating.

Why Joshua 10:2 matters

  • Joshua 10:2 helps explain the motivation behind the coming attack by the other kings—they saw the alliance as a real threat because of Gibeon's strength, not just Israel's.
  • The verse clarifies that Gibeon was not a minor town but a major city with capable fighters, making its decision to join Israel a turning point in the region.
  • Understanding this verse sheds light on the political and military landscape of Canaan at the time, showing why the events that follow unfolded as they did.

Where else these words appear

“Ai” Hebrew H5857 · used in 34 verses

  • Genesis 12:8 And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.
  • Joshua 8:11 And all the people, even the people of war that were with him, went up, and drew nigh, and came before the city, and pitched on the north side of Ai: now there was a valley between them and Ai.
  • Joshua 8:26 For Joshua drew not his hand back, wherewith he stretched out the spear, until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai.

“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:

“royal” Hebrew H4467 · used in 113 verses

  • Genesis 10:10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
  • 2 Kings 15:19 And Pul the king of Assyria came against the land: and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand.
  • Isaiah 14:16 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;