Joshua 12: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Joshua 12 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

The kings defeated beyond the Jordan include Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan. Sihon ruled over Heshbon and his territory extended from Aroer to the river Jabbok. The land included the Arabah to the Sea of Chinneroth and the Salt Sea.

Key verse

“Now these are the kings of the land, whom the children of Israel struck, and possessed their land beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise, from the valley of the Arnon to Mount Hermon, and all the Arabah eastward:”
Joshua 12:1 (WEB)

Outline

Joshua 12:1–6 Kings Defeated Beyond the Jordan
Joshua 12:7–8 Conquests in Canaan Under Joshua
Joshua 12:9–24 List of Defeated Kings

Discussion questions

In v6, who is referred to as 'the servant of Yahweh'?
What locations are mentioned in vv. 1-3 regarding the land possessed by Israel?
Sihon and Og in vv. 2-5: what do their names represent about Israel's conquest?
The mention of 'thirty-one' kings in v24: why is this number significant in the context of Israel's victories?
When have you experienced a victory that felt entirely attributed to outside help, like Israel's conquests?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Joshua 12: Joshua 10, Joshua 11, Deuteronomy 3.

Before next time: read Joshua 13.