Adonizedek
maleConquestMeaning: “Lord of righteousness”
The Amorite king of Jerusalem who led a five-king coalition against Gibeon and was defeated by Joshua in the day the sun stood still.
Biography
Adonizedek was the Amorite king of Jerusalem at the time of Israel's conquest of Canaan. Alarmed that the great city of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, he gathered four other Amorite kings to attack Gibeon (Joshua 10:1–5).
The day the sun stood still
Gibeon appealed to Joshua, who marched all night and fell on the coalition. The LORD cast great hailstones on the fleeing kings, and at Joshua's command "the sun stood still, and the moon stayed" until Israel had avenged itself (Joshua 10:12–13). Adonizedek and the four kings were captured hiding in a cave and executed (Joshua 10:22–26) — a decisive moment in the southern campaign.
Life Timeline
Defeated by Joshua as the sun stands still
On the Bible timeline
Adonizedek belongs to the The Exodus & Wilderness era (c. 1446 BC (early) / 1260 BC (late)).
- c. 1446 BC (early) / 1260 BC (late)The Exodus from Egypt
- c. 1446 BCThe Law Given at Sinai
- c. 1406 BCThe Conquest of Canaan
Themes & lessons from Adonizedek
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Adonizedek appears.
People they appear with
Places in their story
Scripture Appearances
2 verses in 1 bookJoshua2 verses
Joshua 10:1
Now it came to pass, when Adonizedek 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;
Joshua 10:3
Wherefore Adonizedek 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,
Frequently asked about Adonizedek
Who was Adonizedek in the Bible?
The Amorite king of Jerusalem who led a five-king coalition against Gibeon and was defeated by Joshua in the day the sun stood still.
What does the name Adonizedek mean?
The name Adonizedek means “Lord of righteousness”.
What did Adonizedek do in the Bible?
Adonizedek served as king of jerusalem.
Where does Adonizedek appear in the Bible?
Adonizedek is mentioned 2 times across 1 book: Joshua.
What can we learn from Adonizedek?
The story of Adonizedek touches on themes of adoni-zedek, amorites, the, armies, confederacies — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Adonizedek's life.
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