the king of Tappuah
The word "Tappuah" in Hebrew means "apple" or "fruitful." This city, located in the region of Ephraim, is often associated with fertility and abundance, symbolizing the blessings of God upon the land. The mention of a king here indicates a structured society with leadership and governance. Historically, Tappuah was a significant location in the tribal allotments of Israel, representing the fulfillment of God's promises to the descendants of Abraham. The king of Tappuah, like other kings listed in this chapter, signifies the conquest and the establishment of Israelite control over the Promised Land, demonstrating God's faithfulness and the realization of His covenant with Israel.

one
The repetition of "one" after each king's name in this chapter emphasizes the individual victories that contributed to the overall conquest of Canaan. Each "one" signifies a distinct triumph, underscoring the comprehensive nature of Israel's victories under Joshua's leadership. This enumeration serves as a testament to God's power and the fulfillment of His promises, as each king represents a step towards the establishment of Israel in the land God had promised them.

the king of Hepher
"Hepher" means "a well" or "a pit" in Hebrew, suggesting a place of sustenance and life. The city of Hepher was located in the region of Manasseh, and its mention here highlights the strategic and resource-rich areas that were conquered by the Israelites. The king of Hepher, like the other kings, represents the resistance against Israel's divinely ordained occupation of the land. The defeat of these kings illustrates the overcoming of obstacles and the divine assistance provided to Israel in their conquest. Historically, the conquest of such cities would have been crucial for establishing control over trade routes and resources, further solidifying Israel's presence in the land.

one
Again, the use of "one" underscores the individual nature of each victory. It serves as a reminder of the meticulous and deliberate nature of God's plan for Israel. Each victory, though seemingly small on its own, contributes to the grand narrative of God's deliverance and provision for His people. This enumeration of kings and their defeats is a powerful reminder of the faithfulness of God and the importance of obedience and trust in His promises.

Verse 17. - Tappuah. Literally "apple city." It is difficult say whether this was Tappuah in Judah (Joshua 15:34; cf. ver. 53), or in Manasseh (Joshua 16:8; Joshua 17:7, 8). The mention of Aphekah in Joshua 15:53, and of Aphek here, would suggest the former, or the mention of Socoh in Joshua 15:34 (see below on Hepher). But the mention of Lasharon, the fact that there is more than one other Aphek, that Tappuah on the borders of Ephraim and Manasseh seems to have been an important city, and that the cities of the south are mentioned first, those of the north afterwards, and that Tappuah seems to lie about midway, suggest the more northern city. This is Knobel's opinion. Gesenius inclines to the southern Tappuah. Conder identifies it with Yassfif, at the head of the Wady Kanah, southeast of Shechem. Vandevelde with Atuf, four hours northeast by east from Shechem. Keil prefers the former site. Hepher. This appears, from 1 Kings 4:10, to have been near to Socoh, but nothing more is known of it. Aphek. Literally, fortress, though some think it comes from a Syriac root kindred to the Hebrew, signifying to hold fast, to embrace, and that it has reference to the sensual worship of Ashtaroth and Thammuz. There were several towns of this name (see notes on Joshua 13:4; 15:53; 19:30). Lasharon is probably the same as Sharon, or Hasharon (Isaiah 33:9). This is the plain between Joppa and Carmel (Vandevelde). Conder and Kuobel identify with Sarona, or Saroneh, a place near the sea of Tiberias. See, however, Acts 8:32-38. Madon is mentioned in Joshua 11:1, and has been conjecturally identified with Madin, near the sea of Galilee. Shimron-meron is also mentioned in Joshua 11:1. It appears among the cities assigned to Zebulun in Joshua 19:15. Ewald ('Hist. Israel,' 2:2 c.) remarks on 'the antiquity of this list, referring as it does to cities which are never heard of again. Achshaph lay within the borders of Asher (Joshua 19:25). It has been supposed to be the modern Yasif, near the shores of the Mediterranean (see note on Joshua 11:1). Taanach and Megiddo are frequently mentioned together (see Joshua 17:11; Judges 1:27; Judges 5:19). The former became a Levitical city. The latter, being in the great plain of Jezreel, or Esdraelon, lay in the way of most Eastern conquerors. Hence we find it mentioned in the Karnak inscription by the name of Magedi in the victorious expedition of Thothmes III., in which "the whole of the Syrian, Palestinian, and Arabian nations were overcome and forced to pay tribute." (Cooper, 'Egyptian Obelisks,' p. 33; see also 'Records of the Past,' 1:30). The great battle on the slopes of Mount Tabor was carried on as far as Megiddo (Judges 5:19). Not far from this were the Midianites pitched, who fell victims to the valour of Gideon (Judges 7). Another and a disastrous battle of Megiddo, against the king of Egypt, weakened Judaea, and caused it to fall an easy victory to the power of Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings 23:29, 30; 2 Chronicles 35:20-24. The valley of Megiddo, or Megiddon, is mentioned in Zechariah 12:11. Solomon fortified Megiddo (1 Kings 9:15), assigned it to Baana, the son of Ahilud, with Taanach, as one of the cities required to provide food for the royal household (1 Kings 4:12.) And the Jewish writer of the Apocalypse makes this great battlefield of his race the scene of the battle of the great day of the Almighty (Revelation 16:14, 16). For Armageddon is Har Mageddon, the mountain of Mageddon, or Megiddo. Megiddo and Taanach are also found in later periods of Egyptian history. The Mohar mentioned above (Joshua 1:4) notices the former among the places he visited ('Records of the Past,' vol. 2), while the latter is among the places captured by Shishak, as an inscription testifies. The latest explorers reject the identification with Lcgio, or Lejjun, and suggest Mejedda, at the foot of Gilboa, near Beth-shean. See Palestine Exploration Fund, Quarterly Paper, January, 1877.

Parallel Commentaries ...


the king
מֶ֤לֶךְ (me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Tappuah,
תַּפּ֙וּחַ֙ (tap·pū·aḥ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8599: Tappuah -- A city in Judah, also a city on the border between Ephraim and Manasseh

one;
אֶחָ֔ד (’e·ḥāḏ)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

the king
מֶ֥לֶךְ (me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Hepher,
חֵ֖פֶר (ḥê·p̄er)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 2660: Hepher -- three Israelites

one;
אֶחָֽד׃ (’e·ḥāḏ)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first


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OT History: Joshua 12:17 The king of Tappuah one (Josh. Jos)