Joshua Stops the Sun
The Day God Held the Sky Still for His People
Where to find this story in the Bible
The story of Joshua Stops the Sun is found in Joshua 10:1–15 of the King James Bible (Joshua).
Books: Joshua
Historical & Cultural Context
This miracle occurred during Israel's conquest of Canaan, specifically during the battle against the Amorite coalition at Gibeon (c. 1400 BC). Five Amorite kings had allied against Gibeon because Gibeon had made peace with Israel. Joshua's army marched all night from Gilgal (an uphill journey of about 20 miles and 3,300 feet elevation gain) to ambush the enemy at dawn. God also sent large hailstones that killed more Amorites than Israel's swords — demonstrating that the battle truly belonged to the Lord.
Key Characters
Key Verses
Joshua 10:12
"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."Read in context
Joshua 10:13
"And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day."Read in context
Joshua 10:14
"And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel."Read in context
The Gibeonite Alliance Under Attack
After the fall of Jericho and Ai, the Gibeonites had tricked Israel into a peace treaty. When five Amorite kings heard that Gibeon — a significant city — had allied with Israel, they formed a coalition and attacked Gibeon. The Gibeonites sent an urgent message to Joshua: 'Come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us.' Despite the deception, Joshua honored the covenant. God told him: 'Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee.' Joshua marched all night from Gilgal — an uphill journey of about 20 miles — and attacked at dawn.
God Fights from Heaven
The LORD threw the Amorites into confusion before Israel. As the enemy fled, God intervened directly: 'The LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.' God fought with weapons from the sky — hailstones that targeted the enemy army while sparing Israel. The battle was being won, but daylight was running out. If night fell, the scattered armies would regroup and escape. Joshua needed more time — and he asked God for the impossible.
The Sun Stands Still
In one of the most audacious prayers in Scripture, Joshua spoke not just to God but to the sun itself: 'Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.' And God honored the request. The sun stood still and the moon stayed — 'about a whole day.' The text emphasizes the uniqueness: 'There was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man.' Joshua did not merely pray for victory — he commanded the cosmos, and the Creator of the cosmos complied. The battle was completed. All five kings were captured and executed. The southern campaign was decided in a single, impossible day.
The Aftermath
The five kings had hidden in a cave at Makkedah. Joshua ordered the cave sealed with stones during the pursuit, then returned to deal with them. In a symbolic act, he called his captains to place their feet on the necks of the kings — a declaration of total dominion. Joshua encouraged them: 'Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies.' The kings were executed, and Joshua continued sweeping through the southern cities. The longest day in history produced the most decisive military campaign in Israel's conquest — all because one man asked God to stop the sky.
Symbolism & Typology
The Sun Standing Still
Joshua commanded the sun and moon to stand still — and God honored a human's prayer by altering cosmic operations. This demonstrates that God values His covenant with His people more than the normal operations of nature.
The Hailstones
God fought for Israel with supernatural weapons. The hailstones killed more enemies than Israel's army did. When God fights our battles, His contribution always exceeds ours.
The All-Night March
Joshua's army marched all night uphill before the battle. Faith does not eliminate effort — it gives effort purpose. God's supernatural intervention came after natural obedience was exhausted.
Cross-References
Spiritual Lessons
Bold Prayer Moves Heaven
Joshua did not ask for a slight advantage — he asked the sun to stop. He prayed with audacity that matched his faith in God's power. Sometimes we pray too small. If God can stop the sun, what is the debt, the diagnosis, or the problem that exceeds His ability? 'Ye have not, because ye ask not' (James 4:2).
God Honors Covenant Faithfulness
Joshua went to war to protect Gibeon — people who had deceived him — because he had given his word. And God honored that faithfulness with the greatest miracle of the conquest. Integrity matters to God. Keeping our promises, even costly ones, positions us for divine intervention.
God Controls All Creation
Sun, moon, hailstones — the entire natural order obeyed God's command. This miracle declares that nothing in the physical universe operates independently of God's sovereignty. He is not bound by natural law — He authored it, and He can suspend it when His purposes require.
Complete Victory Requires Persistence
Joshua needed the extra daylight to finish the battle. Partial victory would have allowed the enemy to regroup. God extended the day because the job was not done. Sometimes God gives us extended seasons — not for rest but for completion. Do not stop short of the full victory God intends.
Discussion Questions
Use these questions for personal reflection, small groups, or family Bible time.
What does the story of Joshua Stops the Sun teach us about bold prayer moves heaven? How have you seen this truth in your own life?
God Honors Covenant Faithfulness: How does this lesson from Joshua Stops the Sun challenge the way you think or act today?
Put yourself in joshua's position. What would have been the hardest part of this experience? What would have required the most faith?
The theme of this story is "courage." Where do you see this theme playing out in the world today?
How does this Old Testament story point forward to Jesus and the gospel? What connections can you see?
If you could share one truth from Joshua Stops the Sun with someone who has never read the Bible, what would it be?
Family Activity Ideas
Bring this story to life with hands-on activities for children and families.
📖 Scripture Memory Challenge
Memorize Joshua 10:12 together as a family this week. Write it on a card, post it on the fridge, and practice saying it each morning. By the end of the week, see who can recite it from memory!
All ages🎭 Act It Out
Have family members take turns acting out different scenes from Joshua Stops the Sun. Assign roles, create simple costumes from household items, and let everyone participate. After the performance, discuss what each character might have been feeling.
Ages 4–12🛡️ Courage Shields
Create paper shields and write a Bible verse about courage on each one. Decorate them with symbols of things God has helped your family through. Hang them where everyone can see them as daily reminders.
Ages 5–12🍽️ Dinner Table Devotion
At dinner this week, read Joshua 10:13 aloud and ask each person: "What is one thing from the story of Joshua Stops the Sun that you want to remember?" Let everyone share — even the youngest.
All agesFrequently Asked Questions
Where is the story of Joshua Stops the Sun in the Bible?
The story of Joshua Stops the Sun is found in Joshua 10:1–15 of the King James Bible (Joshua).
Where in the Bible is the story of Joshua Stops the Sun?
You can find the story of Joshua Stops the Sun in Joshua 10:1–15 (KJV).
Where does the story of Joshua Stops the Sun start in the Bible?
The story of Joshua Stops the Sun begins in Joshua 10:1–15. During a battle against five Amorite kings, Joshua commands the sun and moon to stand still — and God extends the daylight for nearly a full day so Israel can complete their victory.
Did the sun literally stop moving?
The text presents this as a literal, historical event — unique in all history. Whether God stopped the earth's rotation, altered light refraction, or performed some other cosmic miracle is debated. The biblical emphasis is not on the mechanism but on the result: extended daylight in response to a man's prayer. The God who created the solar system can certainly adjust its operation.
What is the Book of Jasher?
The Book of Jasher (or Book of the Upright) is a lost work referenced in Joshua 10:13 and 2 Samuel 1:18. It appears to have been a poetic/historical compilation celebrating Israel's heroes. Its citation by the biblical author supports the historical claim — the event was independently attested in another ancient source.
How long did the sun stand still?
Joshua 10:13 says the sun 'hasted not to go down about a whole day.' This suggests approximately 12–24 additional hours of daylight. The imprecise language ('about a whole day') reflects the extraordinary and unprecedented nature of the event — there was nothing to compare it to.
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