Old Testament
Joshua 10:12
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In this verse, Joshua, the leader of the Israelites, calls upon God during a crucial battle against the Amorites.
- Author
- Traditionally attributed to Joshua and later compilers
- Written
- Around 1400-1370 BC
- Genre
- Historical narrative
- Original Audience
- The Israelites entering Canaan
On the day when the LORD gave the Amorites over to the Israelites, Joshua spoke to the LORD. In front of all Israel, he said, 'Sun, stand still over Gibeon, and Moon, stop over the valley of Aijalon!'
Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Joshua, the leader of the Israelites, calls upon God during a crucial battle against the Amorites. He commands the sun and moon to stand still, seeking more daylight to complete the victory. This extraordinary request demonstrates Joshua's faith in God's power and his desire for divine intervention. The context shows that the Israelites were fighting for their land, and Joshua believed that with God's help, they could achieve a decisive victory. The miracle of the sun standing still is a testament to God's sovereignty over nature and His willingness to respond to the prayers of His faithful servants. This event highlights the importance of faith and reliance on God during challenging times, as well as the belief that God can intervene in the natural order to fulfill His purposes. Joshua's boldness in asking for such a miracle reflects a deep trust in God's ability to provide what is needed for His people to succeed.
Related Bible verses
How to apply Joshua 10:12 to your life
This verse encourages us to have bold faith in our prayers, trusting that God can intervene in our circumstances. When facing challenges, we should not hesitate to ask God for help, believing that He has the power to change situations for our good.
Curated for this public verse page. Joshua Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Joshua 10:12 mean?
Joshua 10:12 describes a moment when Joshua, the leader of the Israelites, asks God to make the sun and moon stand still during a battle against the Amorites. This request reflects his faith in God's power to help them achieve victory.
What is the significance of the sun standing still in Joshua 10:12?
The sun standing still in Joshua 10:12 signifies God's control over nature and His willingness to respond to the prayers of His people. It highlights the importance of faith and divine intervention in achieving success.
What does Joshua's command to the sun and moon show?
Joshua's command to the sun and moon shows his deep faith in God's power and his leadership in seeking divine help for his people. It emphasizes the belief that God can intervene in extraordinary ways.
How can we apply Joshua 10:12 to our lives?
We can apply Joshua 10:12 by having bold faith in our prayers, trusting that God can intervene in our challenges. It encourages us to ask for help and believe in God's power to change our circumstances.

The Book of Joshua
1: God Commissions Joshua
After the death of Moses, the Lord commissions Joshua to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. God commands him to be strong and courageous, assuring him of success and divine presence, just as He was with Moses. He instructs Joshua to meditate on the Book of the Law day and night and to observe all that is written in it, for then he will be prosperous and successful. Joshua, in turn, commands the officers of the people to prepare for the crossing of the Jordan River within three days. He also reminds the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh of their promise to Moses to help their brethren conquer the land west of the Jordan before returning to their own inheritance on the east side. The people pledge their loyalty to Joshua, promising to obey him as they did Moses and encouraging him to be strong and courageous.
Unlock the full Joshua summary
Continue reading every chapter — themes, structure, and turning points.
The complete summary of Joshua — a chapter-by-chapter breakdown covering all 24 chapters.
What you get
Every chapter of Joshua summarized in clear, modern English
How each section connects — narrative flow, key themes, and turning points
Permanent access — read anytime, on any device
Best value • Save over 90%
One-time purchase • Access anytime
ClearBible summaries are proprietary content and may not be copied, republished, or resold.
Checkout works as a guest. After payment, you create an account to claim your unlock.