ScriptureDepth's study of Joshua 11
“They 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.”
Joshua 11:11
Joshua gives a detailed account of the destruction of Hazor, asserting God's command to utterly destroy its inhabitants, which solidifies Israel's military victory in the chapter.
What Joshua 11 is about
Jabin, king of Hazor, sent word to other northern kings to form a coalition against Israel (vv. 1-5). Yahweh assured Joshua not to fear, promising victory over the enemies. Joshua attacked them by the waters of Merom (vv. 6-9). Following God's command, Joshua destroyed Hazor and its king, striking them with the sword and burning the city (vv. 10-12). He did not burn the cities on their mounds, except for Hazor (vv. 13-15). Joshua captured the hill country, all the land of Goshen, and the lowland, defeating all the kings (vv. 16-19). Yahweh hardened the hearts of the enemies to allow their defeat. Joshua cut off the Anakim from the hill country, leaving none in Israel except some in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod (vv. 20-22). He took the whole land and gave it to Israel, who then had rest from war (v. 23).
Joshua completed the conquest of the land, fulfilling Yahweh's command to Moses.
Joshua 11 at a glance
- Joshua 11:1–5The Coalition of Northern Kings
- Joshua 11:6–9God's Assurance and Israel's Attack
- Joshua 11:10–12The Destruction of Hazor and Its King
- Joshua 11:13–15Total Destruction of Enemies
- Joshua 11:16–19The Complete Conquest of the Land
- Joshua 11:20–22Joshua's Victory Over the Anakim
- Joshua 11:23Inheritance and Rest from War
Key verse: Joshua 11:11
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Joshua 11 (WEB)
The Coalition of Northern Kings Joshua 11:1–5
1Verse 1. When Jabin king of Hazor heard of it, he sent to Jobab king of Madon, to the king of Shimron, to the king of Achshaph, 2Verse 2. and 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, 3Verse 3. to 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. 4Verse 4. They 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.
5Verse 5. All these kings met together; and they came and encamped together at the waters of Merom, to fight with Israel.
God's Assurance and Israel's Attack Joshua 11:6–9
6Verse 6. Yahweh 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.” 7Verse 7. So Joshua came suddenly, with all the warriors, against them by the waters of Merom, and attacked them. 8Verse 8. Yahweh 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. 9Verse 9. Joshua did to them as Yahweh told him. He hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots with fire.
The Destruction of Hazor and Its King Joshua 11:10–12
10Verse 10. Joshua 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. 11Verse 11. They 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. 12Verse 12. Joshua 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.
Total Destruction of Enemies Joshua 11:13–15
13Verse 13. But as for the cities that stood on their mounds, Israel burned none of them, except Hazor only. Joshua burned that. 14Verse 14. The 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. 15Verse 15. As Yahweh commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua. Joshua did so. He left nothing undone of all that Yahweh commanded Moses.
The Complete Conquest of the Land Joshua 11:16–19
16Verse 16. So 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; 17Verse 17. from 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. 18Verse 18. Joshua made war a long time with all those kings. 19Verse 19. There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, except the Hivites, the inhabitants of Gibeon. They took all in battle.
Joshua's Victory Over the Anakim Joshua 11:20–22
20Verse 20. For 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. 21Verse 21. Joshua 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. 22Verse 22. There 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.
Inheritance and Rest from War Joshua 11:23
23Verse 23. So 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)
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Main themes in Joshua 11
God's sovereignty
God's sovereignty is demonstrated as He commands Joshua regarding the coalition of northern kings. In verse 6, Yahweh reassures Joshua by stating, 'I will deliver them up all slain before Israel,' indicating His active role in the victory. Throughout the chapter, the unfolding of events, including the attacks and the destruction of enemies, showcases God's authority in guiding Israel's conquest and ensuring their success against formidable foes.
Faithfulness of God
God's faithfulness is present throughout the chapter as He fulfills His promises to Israel. In v. 15, it notes that Joshua left 'nothing undone of all that Yahweh commanded Moses.' This reinforces the narrative of God's commitment to Israel's success and His assistance in their endeavors to conquer the land.
Judgment against sin
Judgment against sin is central to the narrative in this chapter, particularly in the total destruction of enemy cities. In vv. 12-14, Joshua strikes and utterly destroys all inhabitants of these cities, ensuring 'they didn’t leave any who breathed.' This severe judgment emphasizes the consequences for opposing God's will and His chosen people.
Covenantal promises
The chapter culminates in the fulfillment of God's covenantal promises to Israel as they take possession of the land. In v. 23, it states that 'Joshua took the whole land' in accordance with what Yahweh spoke to Moses. This act of distribution confirms the realization of God's vow to provide land for the Israelites.
Chapter outline
How Joshua 11 unfolds
Joshua 11:1–5 The Coalition of Northern Kings
Jabin king of Hazor forms a coalition with other northern kings, gathering their armies to confront Israel (vv. 1-5). This gathering highlights the opposition Israel faces as they continue their conquest of Canaan.
Joshua 11:6–9 God's Assurance and Israel's Attack
God reassures Joshua not to fear the coalition, promising victory the next day (v. 6). Joshua attacks suddenly and decisively, resulting in a complete defeat of the enemy forces (vv. 7-9).
Joshua 11:10–12 The Destruction of Hazor and Its King
Joshua took Hazor and struck its king with the sword, destroying all its inhabitants and burning the city (vv. 10-12). He captured and utterly destroyed all the cities and kings as commanded by Moses.
Joshua 11:13–15 Total Destruction of Enemies
Israel burned none of the cities on their mounds except Hazor, which Joshua burned (vv. 13-15). They took plunder from the cities and struck every man with the edge of the sword, leaving no one alive, as Yahweh commanded.
Joshua 11:16–19 The Complete Conquest of the Land
Joshua captured all the land, including the hill country and lowlands, defeating all kings and making war for a long time (vv. 16-19). No city made peace with Israel except the Hivites of Gibeon.
Joshua 11:20–22 Joshua's Victory Over the Anakim
Joshua also defeats the Anakim, a formidable group in the hill country, ensuring none remain in Israel’s territory except in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod (vv. 20-22). This action further illustrates the thoroughness of Israel's campaign.
Joshua 11:23 Inheritance and Rest from War
Joshua completes the conquest of the land as commanded by Yahweh, distributing it as an inheritance to the tribes of Israel (v. 23). Following this, the land experiences a period of rest from warfare.
Key verses
Joshua 11:11Joshua gives a detailed account of the destruction of Hazor, asserting God's command to utterly destroy its inhabitants, which solidifies Israel's military victory in the chapter.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Joshua 11
- observeIn v6, what does God instruct Joshua to do with the horses and chariots?
- observeWhat does Joshua do in v11 to Hazor after capturing it?
- interpretVerse 20 mentions God hardening hearts: how does this relate to Israel's victory?
- interpretIn v19, why do all cities except Gibeon not make peace with Israel?
- applyWhen have you faced a situation where fear threatened to overshadow your trust, as in v6?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Joshua 11
- Joshua 10Joshua 11:6 and Joshua 10:8Both do not fear: Joshua 11:6 says, 'Don’t be afraid because of them', while Joshua 10:8 states, 'Don’t fear them, for I have delivered them into your hands'.
- Joshua 12Joshua 11:1 and Joshua 12:19Both mention kings: Joshua 11:1 says, 'Jabin king of Hazor heard of it', while Joshua 12:19 lists, 'the king of Hazor, one'.
- Deuteronomy 20Joshua 11:14 and Deuteronomy 20:16Both destroy everything: Joshua 11:14 states, 'they didn’t leave any who breathed', while Deuteronomy 20:16 commands, 'you shall save alive nothing that breathes'.
- Psalm 46Joshua 11:9 and Psalm 46:9Both burn chariots: Joshua 11:9 notes, 'burned their chariots in the fire', while Psalm 46:9 states, 'He burns the chariots in the fire'.
- Joshua 13Joshua 11:8 and Joshua 13:6Both inhabitants mentioned: Joshua 11:8 states, 'until they left them no one remaining', while Joshua 13:6 says, 'I will drive them out from before the children of Israel'.
- 2 Chronicles 20Joshua 11:6 and 2 Chronicles 20:15Both do not fear: Joshua 11:6 states, 'Don’t be afraid because of them', while 2 Chronicles 20:15 says, 'don’t be afraid, and don’t be dismayed'.
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Where to go from here
- Joshua: the whole bookJoshua narrates the moment promise becomes geography.
- Full Year Chronological Bible, day 74Day 74 of 365: Joshua 10–12.
- StrengthWhat the Bible says about strength, with verses.
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