Joshua 10:13
IntermediateJoshua 10:13 · World English Bible (WEB)
“The sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the nation had avenged themselves of their enemies. Isn’t this written in the book of Jashar? The sun stayed in the middle of the sky, and didn’t hurry to go down about a whole day.”
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Overview
God miraculously extended the day so Israel could complete the victory He had given them.
Joshua 10:13 records an astonishing act of divine authority over creation: the sun and moon obeyed the purpose of the Lord. The battle was not merely military; heaven itself served God’s covenant promise to give Israel the land.
What Makes This Verse Confusing?
This is the heart of the verse: the Lord restrained the normal course of the heavenly lights so that Israel’s victory could be completed. The text does not present this as Joshua controlling creation by his own power, but as God answering Joshua’s prayer in the surrounding passage. Creation is not independent; sun, moon, time, and battle all belong to the Lord.
The verse states the miracle from the viewpoint of what was seen on earth, but it does not explain the mechanism by which God accomplished it.
Understanding this keeps the focus where Scripture places it: not on speculation about mechanics, but on the majesty of God, who rules both heaven and earth for the sake of His covenant purposes.
Cultural & Historical Context
Israel, especially the covenant community learning how the Lord gave the land to His people and fought for them.
Joshua was leading Israel in the conquest of Canaan. In Joshua 10, Israel was fighting the Amorite coalition after coming to the defense of Gibeon, and the Lord intervened with both hailstones and the prolonged day.
- ✦The citation of the “book of Jashar” reflects the preservation of mighty acts in recognized records or songs among Israel. Such references helped God’s people remember His works and pass on testimony of His faithfulness.
Theological Insights
The Lord rules creation itself in service of His covenantCovenantA sacred, binding agreement between God and His people, defining relationship and promises. The Bible tells one big story through a series of covenants — with Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and finally through Christ. will.
Believers can trust that no created thing is beyond God’s command. The same Lord who ordered the sun and moon is able to govern the circumstances of His people today.
Original Language
to silence: stationary — : stationary 1) to be silent, be still, wait, be dumb, grow dumb 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be silent 1a2) to be still, die 1a3) to be struck dumb 1b) (Niphal) to be silenced, be made silent, destroyed 1c) (Poal) to make quiet 1d) (Hiphil) to make silent (cause to die)
The word translated “stood still” carries the sense of being silent, still, or motionless. That adds force to the scene: the heavens themselves became “still” before the command and purpose of God.
to stand: stand — : stand/stop/establish 1) to stand, remain, endure, take one's stand 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to stand, take one's stand, be in a standing attitude, stand forth, take a stand, present oneself, attend upon, be or become servant of 1a2) to stand still, stop (moving or doing), cease 1a3) to tarry, delay, remain, continue, abide, endure, persist, be steadfast 1a4) to make a stand, hold one's ground 1a5) to stan…
The later phrase “the sun stayed” uses a common word for standing or taking one’s position. Together with the earlier word, the verse stresses not a slight delay but an extraordinary arresting of the normal course of the day.
to avenge — 1) to avenge, take vengeance, revenge, avenge oneself, be avenged, be punished 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to avenge, take vengeance 1a2) to entertain revengeful feelings 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to avenge oneself 1b2) to suffer vengeance 1c) (Piel) to avenge 1d) (Hophal) to be avenged, vengeance be taken (for blood) 1e) (Hithpael) to avenge oneself
The word behind “avenged” is important because it belongs to the realm of justice, not mere emotional retaliation. In this context it points to God’s judicial action through Israel against enemies resisting His covenant purposes.
Lexicon & word tagging: STEP Bible (Tyndale House, STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0)
Related Passages
Habakkuk 3:11
parallelHabakkuk speaks of the sun and moon standing still as the Lord goes forth in judgment and salvation.
Isaiah 38:8
parallelIn Hezekiah’s day, the Lord gave a sign involving the movement of the sun’s shadow.
Joshua 10:14
parallelThe next verse interprets the event: “There was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD listened to the voice of a man.”
Judges 16:28
BackgroundPsalms 136:7-9
backgroundPsalm 136 praises the Lord as the Maker of the great lights: the sun to rule the day and the moon and stars to rule the night.
Joel 3:15
BackgroundLuke 18:7
BackgroundPsalms 148:3
BackgroundCross-references from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · openbible.info (CC-BY)
Key Takeaway
Joshua 10:13 reveals the Lord as sovereign over the heavens, extending the day so His covenant victory would be completed.
The sun did not merely shine on Israel’s battle; it stood still before Israel’s God.“
Analysis generated on July 16, 2026 · version 2.0
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