The king of Kedesh, one; the king of Jokneam of Carmel, one;

JOSHUA 12:22KJV
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Joshua 12:22 (KJV)

What does Joshua 12:22 mean?

Joshua 12:22 records two of the kings defeated by Israel: the king of Kedesh and the king of Jokneam of Carmel. Each “one” counts a separate king in the list, rather than giving the king’s personal name.

“Jokneam of Carmel” identifies Jokneam by its connection with the Carmel region. The repeated wording gives the list a counting pattern that continues through the surrounding verses.

Why Joshua 12:22 matters

  • The list counts rulers, not just places. Each entry begins with “the king of,” so Kedesh and Jokneam identify the places over which those kings ruled.
  • The two entries contribute to a total. Joshua 12:24 concludes the list by giving the number of kings as thirty-one.

Where else these words appear

“Jokneam” Hebrew H3362 · used in 3 verses

  • Joshua 19:11 And their border went up toward the sea, and Maralah, and reached to Dabbasheth, and reached to the river that is before Jokneam;
  • Joshua 21:34 And unto the families of the children of Merari, the rest of the Levites, out of the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with her suburbs, and Kartah with her suburbs,

“Kedesh” Hebrew H6943 · used in 12 verses

  • Joshua 15:23 And Kedesh, and Hazor, and Ithnan,
  • Joshua 21:32 And out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Hammothdor with her suburbs, and Kartan with her suburbs; three cities.
  • Judges 4:11 Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh.

“Carmel” Hebrew H3760 · used in 25 verses

  • Joshua 15:55 Maon, Carmel, and Ziph, and Juttah,
  • 1 Kings 18:20 So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.
  • Isaiah 35:2 It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God.