Joshua 11
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1When Jabin king of Hazor heard of it, he sent to Jobab king of Madon, to the king of Shimron, to the king of Achshaph, 2and to the kings who were on the north, in the hill country, in the Arabah south of Chinneroth, in the lowland, and in the heights of Dor on the west, 3to the Canaanite on the east and on the west, the Amorite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Jebusite in the hill country, and the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpah. 4They went out, they and all their armies with them, many people, even as the sand that is on the seashore in multitude, with very many horses and chariots. 5All these kings met together; and they came and encamped together at the waters of Merom, to fight with Israel. 6Yahweh said to Joshua, “Don’t be afraid because of them; for tomorrow at this time, I will deliver them up all slain before Israel. You shall hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire.” 7So Joshua came suddenly, with all the warriors, against them by the waters of Merom, and attacked them. 8Yahweh delivered them into the hand of Israel, and they struck them, and chased them to great Sidon, and to Misrephoth Maim, and to the valley of Mizpah eastward. They struck them until they left them no one remaining. 9Joshua did to them as Yahweh told him. He hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots with fire. 10Joshua turned back at that time, and took Hazor, and struck its king with the sword: for Hazor used to be the head of all those kingdoms. 11They struck all the souls who were in it with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying them. There was no one left who breathed. He burned Hazor with fire. 12Joshua captured all the cities of those kings, with their kings, and he struck them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed them; as Moses the servant of Yahweh commanded. 13But as for the cities that stood on their mounds, Israel burned none of them, except Hazor only. Joshua burned that. 14The children of Israel took all the plunder of these cities, with the livestock, as plunder for themselves; but every man they struck with the edge of the sword, until they had destroyed them. They didn’t leave any who breathed. 15As Yahweh commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua. Joshua did so. He left nothing undone of all that Yahweh commanded Moses. 16So Joshua captured all that land, the hill country, all the South, all the land of Goshen, the lowland, the Arabah, the hill country of Israel, and the lowland of the same; 17from Mount Halak, that goes up to Seir, even to Baal Gad in the valley of Lebanon under Mount Hermon. He took all their kings, struck them, and put them to death. 18Joshua made war a long time with all those kings. 19There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, except the Hivites, the inhabitants of Gibeon. They took all in battle. 20For it was of Yahweh to harden their hearts, to come against Israel in battle, that he might utterly destroy them, that they might have no favor, but that he might destroy them, as Yahweh commanded Moses. 21Joshua came at that time, and cut off the Anakim from the hill country, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the hill country of Judah, and from all the hill country of Israel: Joshua utterly destroyed them with their cities. 22There were none of the Anakim left in the land of the children of Israel. Only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, did some remain. 23So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that Yahweh spoke to Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. The land had rest from war.
World English Bible (public domain)
“And Joshua burned Hazor with fire; and he killed all the men of it with the edge of the sword, destroying them; and there was none left that breathed. And he burned Hazor with fire.”
Joshua 11:11
Summary
In Joshua chapter 11, the narrative continues the conquest of the Promised Land, focusing on the northern kingdoms that conspired against Israel. Joshua receives intelligence about a coalition of kings, including Jabin, the king of Hazor, who lead a formidable military force. In response, God encourages Joshua not to fear and assures him of victory. Joshua gathers his troops and launches a surprise attack against the coalition, leading to a decisive battle where the Israelite forces prevail. The chapter emphasizes God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Israel, as the enemies are defeated, and their cities are burned. The subsequent focus shifts to the systematic destruction of the remaining Canaanite cities, reinforcing the divine mandate for Israel's conquest and contributing to the larger theme of judgment against idolatry and sin in the land. The theological significance of this chapter revolves around God's sovereignty in guiding and empowering Israel in their conquests. It highlights the seriousness of obedience to God's commands and the consequences of disobedience seen in the fate of the defeated nations. Additionally, the chapter reinforces the idea of God's steadfast presence with His people, assuring them of victory when they trust in Him. The conclusion of the conquest in this segment emphasizes the completion of God's promises, showcasing His faithfulness throughout Israel's journey to claim their inheritance. Overall, Joshua 11 serves as a pivotal moment in the narrative of Israel's conquest and reinforces the foundational beliefs about God's character and His unfolding plan for His people.
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Chapter outline
How Joshua 11 unfolds
Joshua 11:1–5 The Coalition of Northern Kings
Jabin, the king of Hazor, forms a coalition of northern kings to confront Israel, gathering a vast army to challenge them.
Joshua 11:6–9 God's Assurance and Israel's Attack
Yahweh reassures Joshua of victory, instructing him to hamstring horses and burn chariots, leading to a successful surprise attack.
Joshua 11:10–12 The Destruction of Hazor and Its King
Joshua captures Hazor, kills its king, and destroys the city, fulfilling the command given to him as directed by Moses.
Joshua 11:13–15 Total Destruction of Enemies
Except for Hazor, Israel does not burn cities on mounds, but utterly destroys the inhabitants according to God's commands.
Joshua 11:16–19 The Complete Conquest of the Land
Joshua captures all the territories as instructed, engaging in prolonged warfare and facing no cities that sought peace.
Joshua 11:20–22 Joshua's Victory Over the Anakim
Joshua eliminates the Anakim from the hill country, leaving only a few in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod.
Joshua 11:23 Inheritance and Rest from War
Joshua completes the conquest, distributing the land as an inheritance to Israel, signaling a cessation of hostilities.
Key verses
Joshua 11:11Joshua 11:11 encapsulates the chapter's focus on obedience and the fulfillment of God's judgment against the Canaanites.
Main themes in Joshua 11
God's sovereignty
God's sovereignty is evident when He assures Joshua of victory over the northern kings in verses 6 and 20. The narrative emphasizes that God directs the outcomes of battles and hardens the hearts of Israel's enemies. This theme reinforces the belief that God is actively guiding Israel's conquest of the Promised Land.
Faithfulness of God
The faithfulness of God is highlighted through His promises kept in verses 6 and 23, where He delivers on His assurance of victory. Joshua's obedience in following God's commands demonstrates the importance of faithfulness in the covenant relationship. The completion of the conquest serves as a testament to God's unwavering commitment to His people.
Judgment against sin
Judgment against sin manifests in the total destruction of the Canaanite cities and their inhabitants, as seen in verses 11 and 14. The narrative illustrates that God's judgment is a response to the pervasive idolatry and wickedness of these nations. This theme underscores the seriousness of divine justice in the context of Israel's conquest.
Covenantal promises
Covenantal promises are fulfilled as Joshua captures the land and distributes it to Israel in verses 23, echoing God's commitments made to Moses. The chapter illustrates the process of inheriting the land as part of God's promise to Abraham and his descendants. This fulfillment marks a significant moment in Israel's history as they enter the land God promised.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Joshua 11
- Joshua 10Joshua 10 develops the narrative of Israel's conquests, showing God's intervention in battle and His continued support for Joshua.
- Joshua 12Joshua 12 connects by summarizing the kings defeated during the conquest, providing context for the victories in this chapter.
- Deuteronomy 20Deuteronomy 20 echoes the commands regarding warfare and the treatment of conquered cities, framing Israel's actions in Joshua 11.
- Psalm 46Psalm 46 connects thematically by emphasizing God's protection and strength in times of battle, reflecting Israel's reliance on Him.
- Joshua 13Joshua 13 develops the theme of land distribution, following the victories detailed in this chapter as Israel claims their inheritance.
- 2 Chronicles 202 Chronicles 20 connects by illustrating God's deliverance in battle, reinforcing the theme of His sovereignty over enemies.
Study questions
Questions for studying Joshua 11
- Who were the kings that formed the coalition against Israel?
- What specific instructions did God give to Joshua during the battle?
- How did Joshua respond to God's assurance of victory?
- What was the significance of burning Hazor according to the narrative?
- What was unique about the cities on their mounds?
- How does the chapter illustrate God's faithfulness to His promises?
- What does Joshua's conquest tell us about Israel's relationship with God?
Joshua 11: frequently asked questions
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