Joshua 10:3 (KJV)

What does Joshua 10:3 mean?

Joshua 10:3 describes how Adonizedek, the king of Jerusalem, sent messages to four other local kings—Hoham of Hebron, Piram of Jarmuth, Japhia of Lachish, and Debir of Eglon—asking them to join him in response to a situation. This verse sets up a coalition of kings who are about to take joint action.

In this scene, Adonizedek is reaching out to neighboring rulers for support. The context is that the Israelites, led by Joshua, have been conquering cities in Canaan, and the local kings are alarmed. This verse shows the beginning of their alliance, which will play a key role in the events that follow in the chapter.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 10:3

• אֲדֹנִי־צֶדֶק (Adonizedek): This name means "my lord is righteousness" or "lord of righteousness," which is notable given his opposition to Israel.
• שָׁלַח (shalach, "sent"): This verb often implies an official or purposeful sending, showing that Adonizedek is taking deliberate action to form an alliance.
• לֵאמֹר (lemor, "saying"): This word introduces the message or proposal, signaling that what follows is a call to action for the other kings.

Why Joshua 10:3 matters

• Joshua 10:3 highlights the political landscape of Canaan at the time, showing that Jerusalem was already a significant city with influence over nearby rulers.
• The verse clarifies that the opposition to Israel was not isolated; it was organized and involved multiple city-states working together.
• Understanding this alliance helps explain the scale of the battle that follows and the importance of Joshua’s subsequent victory in the narrative.