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 10:2KJVWhat 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.