Joshua 10:2 Meaning
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.
Context Explained
1Now it came to pass, when Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them;
2That 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.
3Wherefore Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem sent unto Hoham king of Hebron, and unto Piram king of Jarmuth, and unto Japhia king of Lachish, and unto Debir king of Eglon, saying,
4Come up unto me, and help me, that we may smite Gibeon: for it hath made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel.
Key Themes
Related Cross References
1 Samuel 4:7
The fear of Israel's God is echoed in the Philistines' response to Israel's might.
Psalm 48:2
The greatness of Zion reflects the fear of Gibeon regarding Israel's power.
Hebrews 10:31
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God, similar to the fear of Gibeon.
Source: Joshua 10:2