Joshua 10:2 Meaning and Explanation
“That they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all the men thereof were mighty.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jerusalem's coalition is gripped with fear because mighty Gibeon has joined Israel.
What Does Joshua 10:2 Mean?
The fear is explained: Gibeon was no small village but a great city, ranked among royal cities and stronger than Ai, full of capable fighting men. Its defection to Israel removed a powerful ally and added strength to the enemy. The surrounding kings recognize a tipping point and dread it.
Scripture often shows the wicked trembling not because they have repented but because they sense the ground shifting beneath them. Their fear is real, yet it does not turn them toward the God they fear. There is a fear that drives a soul to its knees and a fear that only drives it deeper into resistance. The difference is the heart's posture, not the size of the dread.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua 10:2
What does Joshua 10:2 mean?
Jerusalem's coalition is gripped with fear because mighty Gibeon has joined Israel.