Sun & Moon Stood Still

[Josh. 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.
Joshua needed more light and less heat, making one day as long as two. In our consideration of the meaning of the verses, the following points should be kept in mind:
1. The length of a whole day as understood in biblical times was 24 hours, from sunset to sunset (6pm to 6pm), or more probably in this case, from sunrise to sunrise. This would suggest that the sun and moon stopped their normal activity for a 24 hour period.
2. The prayer of Joshua is set at Gibeon, and hence in the predawn darkness before the battle, rather than during the course or at the end of the battle, which has already been described in v. 11. We have here, then, an alternative version of what happen in the one battle.
3. The time of prayer is just before the rising of the sun at Gibeon, and the setting of the moon in the valley of Aijalon. This corresponds to the time of Joshua’s arrival after the night march from Gilgal. Such juxtaposition happens only at the time of the full moon, which would give maximum illumination on a normal night.
4. The intent of the prayer is that the sun and moon be silent (stand still). Since the two heavenly bodies can not speak, to be silent means that they should stop shining whether by day or by night, so that the enemy could not recover from the panic caused by the surprise attack in the darkness and storm.
5. The prayer is addressed to G-d rather than to the sun and moon. The natural way for G-d to keep the sun and moon from shining is to cover the sky with a heavy cloud for a period of 24 hours. Thunder and lightning would enhance the sense of mystery and dread, prolonging the panic of the enemy. So even at noon when the sun was in the mist of heaven the day was as dark as the night, while the darkness of the night would be complete without the light of the full moon. It was not until the following day that the sun rose as usual, since the darkness prevailed for about a whole day. The words of a later writer who told of G-d’s darkening the sun by clothing the heavens with blackness was Isa. 50:3.
The first part should read “the sun refrained from shining, and the moon ceased to shine”. In the latter case, the Hebrew word ‘amad, which usually means to stand still, may also mean to cease doing something.” G-d stopped the entire solar system. Making Joshua’s day 23 hours and 20 minutes. The other 40 minutes is found in 2 Kg. 20:8-11, where the sun went 10% backward for a sign to Henakiah that his life would be extended. It was July – about 105 or 120 degrees in the shade, and there was no shade. Gibeon is latitude 31 degrees, 51 minutes north.
1. We see G-d’s direct intervention through natural events, causing them to occur at the right time. In this case it was a storm, with heavy clouds and hailstones.
2. There is G-d’s indirect intervention through His agents, Joshua and the armies of Israel.
3. We see G-d and Israel working together on behalf of covenant allies, to save and help them.