In the mountains, and in the valleys, and in the plains, and in the springs, and in the wilderness, and in the south country; the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites:

JOSHUA 12:8KJV
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Joshua 12:8 (KJV)

What does Joshua 12:8 mean?

Joshua 12:8 identifies the kinds of land and the peoples connected with the kings defeated by Israel under Joshua. The verse gives the setting for the list of defeated kings that follows, showing the range of the territory involved.

Following the boundaries given in verse 7, Joshua 12:8 moves through different kinds of terrain, from mountains to wilderness. The six named peoples are groups associated with that land.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 12:8

  • “valleys” — שְׁפֵלָה (shefelah): This word can mean lowland. Here it is often understood as the foothill region between the central mountains and the coastal plain.
  • “plains” — עֲרָבָה (ʿaravah): This word can mean a dry plain. Here it points to the long valley running south from the Sea of Galilee toward the Dead Sea and beyond.
  • “springs” — אֲשֵׁדוֹת (ʾashedot): This word can refer to slopes or foothills. The KJV reads “springs,” but the Hebrew term can also describe sloping ground.

Why Joshua 12:8 matters

  • The verse prepares the reader to understand the kings as local rulers. The list that follows names kings by their cities, beginning with “the king of Jericho” in verse 9.
  • The names of peoples give a broader picture than the names of cities alone. Joshua 12:8 places the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites within the setting of the account.

Where else these words appear

“springs” Hebrew H794 · used in 6 verses

  • Deuteronomy 3:17 The plain also, and Jordan, and the coast thereof, from Chinnereth even unto the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, under Ashdothpisgah eastward.
  • Deuteronomy 4:49 And all the plain on this side Jordan eastward, even unto the sea of the plain, under the springs of Pisgah.
  • Joshua 12:3 And from the plain to the sea of Chinneroth on the east, and unto the sea of the plain, even the salt sea on the east, the way to Bethjeshimoth; and from the south, under Ashdothpisgah:

“valleys” Hebrew H8219 · used in 19 verses

  • Deuteronomy 1:7 Turn you, and take your journey, and go to the mount of the Amorites, and unto all the places nigh thereunto, in the plain, in the hills, and in the vale, and in the south, and by the sea side, to the land of the Canaanites, and unto Lebanon, unto the great river, the river Euphrates.
  • Judges 1:9 And afterward the children of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites, that dwelt in the mountain, and in the south, and in the valley.
  • 2 Chronicles 28:18 The Philistines also had invaded the cities of the low country, and of the south of Judah, and had taken Bethshemesh, and Ajalon, and Gederoth, and Shocho with the villages thereof, and Timnah with the villages thereof, Gimzo also and the villages thereof: and they dwelt there.

“Perizzites” Hebrew H6522 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 13:7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.
  • Exodus 34:11 Observe thou that which I command thee this day: behold, I drive out before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite.
  • Joshua 24:11 And ye went over Jordan, and came unto Jericho: and the men of Jericho fought against you, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; and I delivered them into your hand.

“Hivites” Hebrew H2340 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 10:17 And the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite,
  • Exodus 33:2 And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite:
  • Joshua 11:19 There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, save the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon: all other they took in battle.