Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it.

JOSHUA 10:5KJV
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Joshua 10:5 (KJV)

What does Joshua 10:5 mean?

Joshua 10:5 describes how five Amorite kings—those ruling Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon—joined forces, gathered their armies, and set up camp near Gibeon to make war against it. The verse shows the united opposition these kings formed in response to events involving Israel and Gibeon.

The setting is after the people of Gibeon made a treaty with Israel, which angered the surrounding Amorite rulers. These five kings decided to attack Gibeon together, hoping to punish them for allying with Israel and to resist Israel’s growing influence in the region. The verse highlights the seriousness of the threat by listing each king and city involved.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 10:5

  • The word for "gathered together" is אָסַף (ʼāsaf), which often means to assemble or collect. Here, it emphasizes the deliberate unity and planning among the five kings.
  • "Hosts" is מַחֲנֶה (machaneh), meaning a camp or army. This word shows that the kings brought not just themselves, but their full military strength.
  • "Encamped" is חָנָה (chanah), meaning to pitch camp or settle temporarily. This suggests a planned military action, not just a passing raid.
  • "War" is לָחַם (lacham), meaning to fight or battle. The word makes clear that their intent was open conflict, not just intimidation.

Why Joshua 10:5 matters

  • The verse clarifies that the threat to Gibeon was not from a single enemy, but from a coalition of five powerful city-states, making the situation far more dangerous.
  • By naming each king and city, the verse emphasizes the scale and seriousness of the opposition Israel and its allies faced.
  • This sets the stage for the dramatic events that follow in Joshua 10, where Israel responds to Gibeon's plea for help, leading to a significant battle and a demonstration of God's support for Israel.