Joshua 12:5
He ruled over Mount Hermon, Salecah, all of Bashan up to the border of the Geshurites and Maacathites, and half of Gilead to the border of Sihon king of Heshbon.
He ruled over Mount Hermon
Mount Hermon is a significant geographical landmark in the northern part of ancient Israel, often associated with the northern boundary of the Promised Land. It is known for its height and snow-capped peaks, which contribute to the Jordan River. In biblical symbolism, mountains often represent stability and divine presence. Mount Hermon is also mentioned in Psalm 133:3, symbolizing unity and blessing.

Salecah
Salecah is a city located on the eastern edge of Bashan, near the border of the desert. It served as a strategic military outpost. The mention of Salecah highlights the extent of the territory under control, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the conquest. This city is also referenced in Deuteronomy 3:10, indicating its importance in the region.

all of Bashan
Bashan was a fertile and prosperous region known for its rich pastures and strong cattle, as mentioned in Amos 4:1. It was part of the territory east of the Jordan River, conquered by the Israelites under Moses' leadership. The region's fertility and resources made it a valuable possession for the tribes of Israel.

up to the border of the Geshurites and Maacathites
The Geshurites and Maacathites were small kingdoms or tribal groups located to the northeast of Bashan. These groups maintained a degree of independence and were not fully conquered by Israel, as noted in Joshua 13:13. Their presence indicates the complex political landscape of the region during the time of the conquest.

and half of Gilead
Gilead was a mountainous region known for its balm, a valuable resin used for medicinal purposes (Jeremiah 8:22). The division of Gilead into halves suggests a shared control or influence, possibly indicating the allocation of land among the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, as described in Numbers 32.

to the border of Sihon king of Heshbon
Sihon was an Amorite king whose defeat by the Israelites is recounted in Numbers 21:21-31. Heshbon was his capital city, and its capture marked a significant victory for Israel, symbolizing God's promise to deliver the land to His people. The mention of Sihon underscores the fulfillment of God's covenant promises and the establishment of Israel's territorial claims.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Mount Hermon
A significant mountain in the northern part of Israel, often associated with the northern boundary of the Promised Land. It is known for its height and snow-capped peaks.

2. Salecah
A city located in the region of Bashan, which was part of the territory ruled by King Og. It served as a strategic location in the ancient Near East.

3. Bashan
A fertile region east of the Jordan River, known for its rich pastures and strong cities. It was ruled by King Og, one of the last of the Rephaim.

4. Geshurites and Maacathites
These were small kingdoms or tribal groups located near Bashan. They were not fully conquered by the Israelites and maintained a distinct identity.

5. Sihon, King of Heshbon
A powerful Amorite king defeated by the Israelites under Moses' leadership. His territory was located to the south of Bashan.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Conquest
The detailed listing of territories conquered by Israel demonstrates God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. Believers can trust in God's sovereignty over their lives and circumstances.

The Importance of Obedience
The Israelites' success in conquering these lands was contingent upon their obedience to God's commands. Similarly, our spiritual victories are often linked to our willingness to follow God's guidance.

Spiritual Boundaries
Just as Israel had physical boundaries, Christians are called to establish spiritual boundaries in their lives to maintain holiness and avoid compromise with worldly influences.

Legacy of Faith
The conquest of these lands was not just for the immediate generation but for future generations of Israelites. Our actions and faith today can have a lasting impact on those who come after us.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the conquest of Bashan and its surrounding regions demonstrate God's faithfulness to His promises?

2. In what ways can we apply the concept of spiritual boundaries in our modern Christian walk?

3. What lessons can we learn from the Israelites' obedience in conquering these territories, and how can we apply them to our own spiritual battles?

4. How does understanding the historical and geographical context of Joshua 12:5 enhance our appreciation of God's work in the Old Testament?

5. How can the legacy of faith demonstrated in the conquest of these lands inspire us to leave a spiritual legacy for future generations?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 3:8-11
This passage provides background on the conquest of King Og's territory, including the regions mentioned in Joshua 12:5. It highlights the victory God gave Israel over the giants of Bashan.

Psalm 68:15-16
These verses poetically reference Mount Hermon and Bashan, emphasizing God's majesty and the significance of these regions in Israel's history.

1 Chronicles 5:11
This verse mentions the half-tribe of Manasseh, which settled in the region of Bashan, indicating the fulfillment of God's promise to give this land to Israel.
The Goodness and Severity of GodA. B. Mackay.Joshua 12:1-24
People
Ammonites, Amorites, Arad, Canaanites, Debir, Eglon, Gad, Gadites, Geshurites, Hepher, Hittites, Hivite, Hivites, Israelites, Jebusites, Joshua, Maacah, Maacathites, Maachathites, Manasseh, Og, Perizzites, Rephaites, Reubenites, Seir, Shimron, Sihon, Tappuah, Tirzah
Places
Achshaph, Adullam, Ai, Aphek, Arabah, Arad, Aroer, Ashtaroth, Baal-gad, Bashan, Bethel, Beth-jeshimoth, Carmel, Debir, Dor, Edrei, Eglon, Galilee, Geder, Gezer, Gilead, Hazor, Hebron, Hepher, Heshbon, Hormah, Jabbok River, Jarmuth, Jericho, Jerusalem, Jokneam, Jordan River, Kedesh, Lachish, Lasharon, Libnah, Madon, Makkedah, Megiddo, Mount Halak, Mount Hermon, Naphath-dor, Negeb, Pisgah, Salecah, Salt Sea, Sea of Chinneroth, Sea of the Arabah, Seir, Shimron-meron, Taanach, Tappuah, Tirzah, Valley of Lebanon, Valley of the Arnon
Topics
Bashan, Border, Boundary, Geshur, Geshurite, Geshurites, Gesh'urites, Gilead, Half, Hermon, Heshbon, Limits, Maacah, Maacathites, Ma-ac'athites, Maachathite, Maachathites, Mount, Mountain, Reigned, Ruled, Ruling, Salcah, Salecah, Sal'ecah, Sihon
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Joshua 12:2-5

     5235   boundary

Joshua 12:4-6

     7266   tribes of Israel

Library
Gilgal, in Deuteronomy 11:30 what the Place Was.
That which is said by Moses, that "Gerizim and Ebal were over-against Gilgal," Deuteronomy 11:30, is so obscure, that it is rendered into contrary significations by interpreters. Some take it in that sense, as if it were near to Gilgal: some far off from Gilgal: the Targumists read, "before Gilgal": while, as I think, they do not touch the difficulty; which lies not so much in the signification of the word Mul, as in the ambiguity of the word Gilgal. These do all seem to understand that Gilgal which
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

The Lake of Gennesaret; Or, the Sea of Galilee and Tiberias.
Jordan is measured at one hundred and twenty furlongs, from the lake of Samochonitis to that of Gennesaret. That lake, in the Old Testament, is 'The sea of Chinnereth,' Numbers 34:11, &c. In the Targumists, 'The sea of Genesar'; sometimes, 'of Genesor'; sometimes, 'of Ginosar': it is the same also in the Talmudists, but most frequently 'The sea of Tiberiah.' Both names are used by the evangelists; 'the lake of Gennesaret,' Luke 5:1; 'the sea of Tiberias,' John 21:1; and 'the sea of Galilee,' John
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Joshua
The book of Joshua is the natural complement of the Pentateuch. Moses is dead, but the people are on the verge of the promised land, and the story of early Israel would be incomplete, did it not record the conquest of that land and her establishment upon it. The divine purpose moves restlessly on, until it is accomplished; so "after the death of Moses, Jehovah spake to Joshua," i. 1. The book falls naturally into three divisions: (a) the conquest of Canaan (i.-xii.), (b) the settlement of the
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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