The Sun Stands Still at Gibeon

The words

1. Adonizedek

   Adonizedec in the KJV; Adoni-Zedek in the NET Bible.

   Adonizedek of Jerusalem summons four other kings against Gibeon for making peace with Israel; Joshua later kills the captured kings.

   Joshua 10:1–5 (opens a new tab) · Joshua 10:23–26 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Joshua 10:1 (opens a new tab)

2. Ajalon

   Aijalon in the NET Bible.

   Ajalon is the valley named when Joshua addresses the moon; the sun is addressed over Gibeon in the same speech.

   Joshua 10:12 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Joshua 10:12 (opens a new tab)

3. Amorites

   Joshua identifies the five allied rulers as Amorite kings; their army is defeated, and the captured kings are killed.

   Joshua 10:5 (opens a new tab) · Joshua 10:10–11 (opens a new tab) · Joshua 10:26 (opens a new tab)

4. Bethhoron

   Beth Horon in the NET Bible.

   Joshua places the army’s flight on the descent of Bethhoron, where hailstones strike and kill men as they flee toward Azekah.

   Joshua 10:10–11 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Joshua 10:11 (opens a new tab)

5. Book of Jasher

   Scroll of the Upright One, in the NET Bible.

   Joshua cites the Book of Jasher in the long-day account; Second Samuel also names it when introducing David’s lament for Saul and Jonathan.

   Joshua 10:13 (opens a new tab) · 2 Samuel 1:17–18 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Joshua 10:13 (opens a new tab)

6. Cave

   The five kings hide in a cave at Makkedah; Joshua orders large stones rolled to its entrance and guards stationed there.

   Joshua 10:16–18 (opens a new tab)

7. Gibeon

   Gibeon’s people call for Joshua’s help against five allied kings, and he marches overnight from Gilgal to relieve the city.

   Did you know?

   First Kings later locates Solomon’s dream at Gibeon, where he asks for an understanding heart to judge his people.

   Joshua 10:5–9 (opens a new tab) · Joshua 10:6–11 (opens a new tab) · 1 Kings 3:4–9 (opens a new tab)

8. Hailstones

   Joshua says the LORD sends hailstones on the fleeing army, killing more than Israel’s soldiers kill with their swords.

   Joshua 10:11 (opens a new tab)

9. Kings

   The five kings rule Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish and Eglon; after their capture, Joshua kills them and hangs them on five trees.

   Joshua 10:5 (opens a new tab) · Joshua 10:22–26 (opens a new tab)

10. Makkedah

    Makkedah is where the five kings hide in a cave; after killing them, Joshua has their bodies placed back in it.

    Joshua 10:16 (opens a new tab) · Joshua 10:26–27 (opens a new tab)

11. Moon

    Joshua’s address pairs the sun over Gibeon with the moon in the valley of Ajalon; the narrative says the moon stayed.

    Joshua 10:12–13 (opens a new tab)

12. Necks

    Joshua calls his captains to place their feet on the captured kings’ necks before he kills the kings and hangs them on trees.

    Joshua 10:24–26 (opens a new tab)

13. Stand

    Joshua calls for the sun to stand still over Gibeon while the battle continues, speaking to the LORD before the people.

    Joshua 10:12–13 (opens a new tab)

14. Still

    The account says the sun stood still and the moon stayed until the people had avenged themselves on their enemies.

    Joshua 10:13 (opens a new tab)

15. Whole Day

    Joshua says the sun stays in the midst of heaven and delays setting “about a whole day” while Israel defeats its enemies.

    Joshua 10:13 (opens a new tab)