Albert Barnes Commentary Joshua 12:7-24

"And these are the kings of the land whom Joshua and the children of Israel smote beyond the Jordan westward, from Baal-gad in the valley of Lebanon even unto mount Halak, that goeth up to Seir; and Joshua gave it unto the tribes of Israel for a possession according to their divisions; in the hill-country, and in the lowland, and in the Arabah, and in the slopes, and in the wilderness, and in the South; the Hittite, the Amorite, and the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite: the king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai, which is beside Bethel, one; the king of Jerusalem, one; the king of Hebron, one; the king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one; the king of Eglon, one; the king of Gezer, one; the king of Debir, one; the king of Geder, one; the king of Hormah, one; the king of Arad, one; the king of Libnah, one; the king of Adullam, one; the king of Makkedah, one; the king of Bethel, one; the king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one; the king of Aphek, one; the king of Lassharon, one; the king of Madon, one; the king of Hazor, one; the king of Shimron-meron, one; the king of Achshaph, one; the king of Taanach, one; the king of Megiddo, one; the king of Kedesh, one; the king of Jokneam in Carmel, one; the king of Dor in the height of Dor, one; the king of Goiim in Gilgal, one; the king of Tirzah, one: all the kings thirty and one." — Joshua 12:7-24 (ASV)

The names of the kings are given in the order of their actual encounter with Joshua. Those enumerated in Joshua 12:10-18 either belonged to the league of the southern Canaanites (Joshua 10:1 and following), whose power was broken in the battle of Beth-horon, or were at any rate conquered in the campaign following that battle. Those mentioned in Joshua 12:19-24 were similarly connected with the northern confederates (Joshua 11:1 and following), who were defeated at the Waters of Merom.

Joshua 12:13–20

The identification of several of these places is still uncertain: the same name (e.g., Aphek, Joshua 12:18) being applied to various places in various parts of Palestine. Geder, or Gedor (Joshua 15:58), a city in the mountain district in the south of the territory of Judah, is no doubt the modern "Jedur".

Joshua 12:21

Taanach - A Levitical town (Joshua 21:25) in the territory of Issachar, but assigned to the Manassites (Joshua 17:11; Compare 1 Chronicles 7:29), is identified with "Taanuk". It was here that Barak encountered the host of Sisera (Judges 5:19). Megiddo was near it, and is thought to have been "el Lejjun" (the Roman Legion), (or Mujedd’a (Conder)).

Joshua 12:22

Kedesh - i.e., Kedesh Naphtali, a city of refuge, a Levitical city, and the home of Barak (Judges 9:6).

Jokneam - A Levitical city in the territory of Zebulon (Joshua 19:11); perhaps the modern "Kaimon".

"Tell Kaimon" is a conspicuous and important position, commanding the main pass across the ridge of Carmel from Phoenicia to Egypt.

This famous mountain range (about 15 miles long) no doubt received the name Carmel (the word means "a fruitful field" as opposed to "wilderness") as descriptive of its character; and thus the name became an emblem of beauty and luxuriance (Isaiah 35:2; Song of Solomon 7:5, etc.).

Its highest part, about 4 miles from Tell Kaimon, is nearly 1,750 feet above the sea. Its modern name, "Jebel Mar Elias", still preserves that association with the great deeds of Elijah, from which Carmel derives its chief biblical interest.

Mount Carmel was probably, like Lebanon, from very ancient Canaanite times, regarded as especially sacred. Since the altar of the Lord repaired by Elijah (1 Kings 18:30) was an old one that had been broken down, Carmel was probably no less esteemed by the Israelites also. In later times the caves that abound toward the western bluffs of the range have been frequented by Christian, Jewish, and Muslim anchorites. The order of Carmelite or barefooted friars arose from the convent founded by Louis, which still crowns the western headland.

Joshua 12:23

The king of the nations - See Genesis 14:1 and note. It means the king of certain mixed and probably nomadic tribes, which regarded Gilgal (Joshua 9:19) as their center and capital.

Joshua 12:24

Tirzah - This place, the capital of Jeroboam and his successors until the days of Omri (1 Kings 14:17; 1 Kings 15:21, etc.), is identified by some with "Tulluzah", a town 3 miles northeast of Nablous, (by others with Teiasir).