Joshua – Chapter 12

Old Testament24 Verses

1These are the kings, whom the children of Israel slew and possessed their land beyond the Jordan towards the rising of the sun, from the torrent Arnon unto mount Hermon, and all the east country that looketh towards the wilderness.

2Sehon king of the Amorrhites, who dwelt in Hesebon, and had dominion from Aroer, which is seated upon the bank of the torrent Arnon, and of the middle part in the valley, and of half Galaad, as far as the torrent Jaboc, which is the border of the children of Ammon.

3And from the wilderness, to the sea of Ceneroth towards the east, and to the sea of the wilderness, which is the most salt sea, on the east side by the way that leadeth to Bethsimoth: and on the south side that lieth under Asedoth, Phasga.

4The border of Og the king of Basan, of the remnant of the Raphaims who dwelt in Astaroth, and in Edrai, and had dominion in mount Hermon, and in Salecha, and in all Basan, unto the borders

5Of Gessuri and Machati, and of half Galaad: the borders of Sehon the king of Hesebon.

6Moses the servant of the Lord, and the children of Israel slew them, and Moses delivered their land in possession to the Rubenites, and Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasses.

7These are the kings of the land, whom Joshua and the children of Israel slew beyond the Jordan on the west side from Baalgad in the field of Libanus, unto the mount, part of which goeth up into Seir: and Joshua delivered it in possession to the tribes of Israel, to every one their divisions,

8As well in the mountains as in the plains and the champaign countries. In Asedoth, and in the wilderness, and in the south was the Hethite and the Amorrhite, the Chanaanite and the Pherezite, the Hevite and the Jebusite.

9The king of Jericho one: the king of Hai, which is on the side of Bethel, one:

10The king of Jerusalem one, the king of Hebron one,

11The king of Jerimoth one, thee king of Lachis one,

12The king of Eglon one, the king of Gazer one,

13The king of Dabir one, the king of Gader one,

14The king of Herma one, the king of Hered one,

15The king of Lebna one, the king of Odullam one,

16The king of Maceda one, the king of Bethel one,

17The king of Taphua one, the king of Opher one,

18The king of Aphec one, the king of Saron one,

19The king of Madon one, the king of Asor one,

20The king of Semeron one, the king of Achsaph one,

21The king of Thenac one, the king of Mageddo one,

22Thee king of Cades one, the king of Jachanan of Carmel one,

23The king of Dor, and of the province of Dor one, the king of the nations of Galgal one,

24The king of Thersa one: all the kings thirty and one.

Reflection for Today

Joshua Chapter 12 presents themes of conquest and inheritance of the Promised Land that Catholic tradition has long cherished. Catholic tradition sees Joshua as a type of Jesus, who leads us into the true Promised Land (CIC 2578). The teaching that God fulfills His promises remains as relevant today as when first written.

The Church reads Scripture within the context of the liturgy, where the Word of God is proclaimed and celebrated. The Catechism teaches that "in the liturgy, God speaks to his people and Christ is still proclaiming his Gospel" (CIC 1088). This chapter, when read in the context of the Church's worship, takes on deeper meaning.

Catholic biblical scholarship, guided by the Magisterium, helps us understand both the historical context and the spiritual meaning of these texts. The four senses of Scripture—literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical—open up the richness of God's Word. May your reading of this chapter bear fruit in holiness and service to others.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

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