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Adoni-zedek, whose name means "lord of righteousness," was the king of Jerusalem during the time of Joshua's conquest of Canaan. He is a significant figure in the biblical narrative found in the Book of Joshua, particularly in chapters 10 and 12. Adoni-zedek's reign and actions are emblematic of the resistance faced by the Israelites as they sought to claim the land promised to them by God.

Historical Context

Adoni-zedek ruled Jerusalem, a city that was strategically important due to its location in the central hill country of Canaan. During this period, Jerusalem was a Jebusite city, and its king was one of the many Canaanite rulers who opposed the Israelite incursion into the land. The political landscape of Canaan was characterized by a collection of city-states, each ruled by its own king, often forming alliances to strengthen their positions against common threats.

Biblical Account

The primary account of Adoni-zedek is found inJoshua 10. Upon hearing of Joshua's victories at Jericho and Ai, and the subsequent treaty made with the Gibeonites, Adoni-zedek became alarmed. Gibeon was a significant city, and its alliance with Israel posed a direct threat to the surrounding Canaanite kingdoms. In response, Adoni-zedek formed a coalition with four other Amorite kings: Hoham of Hebron, Piram of Jarmuth, Japhia of Lachish, and Debir of Eglon.

Joshua 10:3-5 states: "So Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem sent word to Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish, and Debir king of Eglon, saying, 'Come up and help me. Let us attack Gibeon, because it has made peace with Joshua and the Israelites.' Then the five kings of the Amorites—the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon—joined forces, advanced with all their armies, and besieged Gibeon and fought against it."

The Battle and Its Aftermath

In response to the Gibeonites' plea for help, Joshua led the Israelite army on an all-night march from Gilgal to Gibeon. The Lord assured Joshua of victory, and the Israelites launched a surprise attack on the Amorite coalition. The biblical narrative highlights the miraculous intervention of God in the battle, as He threw the Amorite armies into confusion and sent hailstones from the sky, which killed more of the enemy than the Israelites did with the sword (Joshua 10:10-11).

Furthermore,Joshua 10:12-14 records the extraordinary event where Joshua prayed for the sun to stand still over Gibeon and the moon over the Valley of Aijalon, allowing the Israelites more time to achieve victory. The text notes that "there has been no day like it before or since, when the LORD listened to the voice of a man, because the LORD fought for Israel."

The five kings, including Adoni-zedek, fled and hid in a cave at Makkedah. Joshua ordered the cave to be sealed with large stones and guarded. After the battle, the kings were brought out, humiliated by having the Israelite commanders place their feet on their necks, and then executed. Their bodies were hung on trees until evening and then thrown back into the cave, which was sealed again (Joshua 10:16-27).

Legacy

Adoni-zedek's defeat marked a significant turning point in the Israelite conquest of Canaan. His coalition's failure demonstrated the futility of resisting the divinely ordained mission of Israel. The narrative underscores the theme of God's sovereignty and faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to the patriarchs by delivering the land into the hands of the Israelites.

Adoni-zedek is later mentioned inJoshua 12:10 as one of the thirty-one kings defeated by Joshua and the Israelites. His account serves as a testament to the power of God working through His chosen people to accomplish His purposes in history.Adoni-Zedek

justice of the Lord; lord of justice

ADONI-ZEDEK

a-do-ni-ze'-dek ('adhonitsedheq, "lord of righteousness"): King of Jerusalem at the time of the conquest of Canaan (Joshua 10:1). When he heard of the fall of Ai and the submission of the Gibeonites, he entered into a league with four other kings to resist Joshua and Israel, and to punish Gibeon (Joshua 10:3, 4), but was overthrown by Joshua in a memorable battle (Joshua 10:12-14). Adoni-zedek and his four allies were shut up in a cave, while the battle lasted, and afterward were taken out by Joshua's order, put to death and hanged on trees (Joshua 10:22-27). It is noticeable that the name is almost the equivalent of Melchizedek, malkitsedheq, "king of righteousness," who was ruler of Jerusalem in the time of Abraham.

Edward Mack

139. Adoni-tsedeq -- "Lord of righteousness," king of Jer.
... Transliteration: Adoni-tsedeq Phonetic Spelling: (ad-o''-nee-tseh'-dek) Short
Definition:Adoni-zedek.... NASB Word UsageAdoni-zedek (2). Adonizedec....

"In the Volume of the Book it is Written of Me" (Heb. . .
... There isAdoni-zedek, mentioned in Joshua 10, and who headed a federation of ten
kings; it is remarkable that his name signifies "lord of righteousness" which...

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... The extension of this term to Syrian countries is proved in the Israelitish epoch
by Canaanitish names, such asAdonizedek and Adonibezek, or Jewish names...

Adonizedek
... Int. Standard Bible EncyclopediaADONI-ZEDEK. a-do-ni-ze'-dek ('adhonitsedheq,
"lord of righteousness"): King of Jerusalem at the...

Adoni-zedek (4 Occurrences)
Adoni-zedek.Adonizedek,Adoni-zedek. Ado'ni-ze'dek . Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia... (BBE).Adonizedek,Adoni-zedek. Ado'ni-ze'dek . Reference Bible.

Ado'ni-ze'dek (2 Occurrences)
Ado'ni-ze'dek.Adoni-zedek, Ado'ni-ze'dek. Adopt . Multi-Version Concordance...
Adoni-zedek, Ado'ni-ze'dek. Adopt . Reference Bible.

Eglon (13 Occurrences)
... A royal Canaanite city whose king joined the league headed byAdonizedek of Jerusalem...
Joshua 10:3 ThereforeAdoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem sent to Hoham king of...

Elamarna
... Seir, that they are represented as contemporaneous with Japhia king of Gezer, Jabin
king of Hazor, and probablyAdonizedek king of Jerusalem, contemporaries of...

Tablets (31 Occurrences)
... Seir, that they are represented as contemporaneous with Japhia king of Gezer, Jabin
king of Hazor, and probablyAdonizedek king of Jerusalem, contemporaries of...

El-amarna
... Seir, that they are represented as contemporaneous with Japhia king of Gezer, Jabin
king of Hazor, and probablyAdonizedek king of Jerusalem, contemporaries of...

Lachish (22 Occurrences)
... city, and its king, Japhia, joined the confederacy formed byAdonizedek, king of...
Joshua 10:3 ThereforeAdoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem sent to Hoham king of...

Tell (3056 Occurrences)
... Seir, that they are represented as contemporaneous with Japhia king of Gezer, Jabin
king of Hazor, and probablyAdonizedek king of Jerusalem, contemporaries of...

Adoni-zedec (2 Occurrences)
Adoni-zedec. Adonizedec, Adoni-zedec.Adonizedek . Easton's Bible Dictionary...
Adonizedec, Adoni-zedec.Adonizedek . Reference Bible.

Who were the Jebusites? | GotQuestions.org

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