World English Bible
- 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,
- 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,
- 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.
- 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.
- All these kings met together; and they came and encamped together at the waters of Merom, to fight with Israel.
- The LORD 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.”
- So Joshua came suddenly, with all the warriors, against them by the waters of Merom, and attacked them.
- The LORD 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.
- Joshua did to them as the LORD told him. He hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots with fire.
- 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.
- 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 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 the LORD commanded.
- But as for the cities that stood on their mounds, Israel burned none of them, except Hazor only. Joshua burned that.
- 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.
- As the LORD commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua. Joshua did so. He left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses.
- 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,
- 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.
- Joshua made war a long time with all those kings.
- 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.
- For it was of the LORD 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 the LORD commanded Moses.
- 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.
- 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.
- So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD spoke to Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. Then the land had rest from war.
Read Joshua 11 (New International Version)
In Joshua 11, we encounter what might, at first glance, seem a harsh
and difficult passage. Joshua and Israel engage in extensive battles
against numerous Canaanite city-states coordinated by Jabin, king of
Hazor. The force arrayed against Israel is massive, described vividly in
verse 4:
> “They came out with all their troops and a large number of horses
and chariots—a huge army, as numerous as the sand on the seashore.” (New
International Version)
We should pause here and recognize the literary device used. The phrase “as numerous as the sand on the seashore” is a classic Hebrew metaphor indicating an overwhelming enemy (also used in Genesis 22:17, promising Abraham numerous descendants). God intentionally puts Israel in situations where victory seems impossible from a human standpoint. The purpose becomes clear—only God’s hand can provide victory.
Theologically, this reveals God’s sovereignty. The extensive list of kings and cities echo historical authenticity, matching archaeological evidence confirming extensive destructions in the late Bronze Age period. Though modern sensibilities struggle with such violent narratives, understanding ancient cultural and historical contexts helps deepen appreciation for the Bible’s authenticity.
Furthermore, this unity of enemy nations (northern tribes allied under Hazor’s leadership) juxtaposes strongly with the previous southern alliance in chapter 10, reminding readers of God’s continual, faithful provision in every challenge.
Cross-reference: Psalm 20:7 (New International
Version)
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name
of the Lord our God.”
An important emphasis in Joshua 11 is obedience. Joshua diligently obeyed God’s specific command to destroy the enemy’s chariots and hamstring their horses (v.9). Why? Historically, horses and chariots represented military might—power that tempted Israel to self-reliance instead of dependence upon God (Deuteronomy 17:16). Joshua’s obedience protected Israel spiritually, safeguarding her dependence upon Yahweh alone.
In verse 15, we read,
> “As the LORD commanded his servant Moses, so Moses commanded
Joshua, and Joshua did it; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD
commanded Moses.” (New International Version)
The Hebrew verb translated as “he left nothing undone,” lo-hesir davar, subtly stresses meticulous, wholehearted obedience to God’s commands. Joshua functioned as God’s faithful servant, completing tasks exactly as instructed, a versatile model for believers today who struggle with partial obedience or compromise.
Cross-reference: Deuteronomy 20:1 (New International
Version)
“When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots
and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid…”
We come now to a significant theological point: the declaration that God “hardened” the enemy’s hearts (v. 20). For a Western Protestant reader, this phrase might raise tensions around free will and predestination. The Hebrew word translated as “hardened” is chazaq, meaning “to strengthen or confirm.” God judicially confirms decisions people freely make against Him, as seen earlier in Pharaoh’s story (Exodus 9:12). Renowned theologians such as Augustine and Calvin discussed these divine judgments—God’s sovereignty preserves human accountability, administering just judgment upon persistent rebellion. This insight should humble rather than embolden us, prompting sincere gratitude for God’s mercy extended toward us in Christ.
Archaeologically, layers of destruction matching Joshua’s campaign period have been found at Hazor, Israel’s principal northern opponent city. This bolsters our sense of the text’s reliability.
Cross-reference: Romans 9:18 (New International
Version)
“Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he
hardens whom he wants to harden.”
Like Israel, we may face troubles or battles seemingly beyond our abilities. Joshua urges us: trust not in human might, but firmly and obediently in the Lord. The narratives indeed cause discomfort—yet remind us clearly of God’s holiness, justice, and sovereignty. We are also reminded of our Savior, who conquers not through sword and violence, but through sacrificial love—the decisive victory at Calvary.
“Lead on, O King Eternal” (written by Ernest W. Shurtleff in 1887) beautifully captures today’s theme of trusting obediently in God’s guidance, declaring,
“Lead on, O King eternal, we follow not with fears,
For gladness breaks like morning where’er Thy face appears;
Thy cross is lifted o’er us; we journey in its light;
The crown awaits the conquest; lead on, O God of might.”
Gracious Sovereign Father,
Grant us hearts like Joshua’s—hearts that trust fully in Your power and
depend wholeheartedly upon Your instructions. Give us humility before
passages that challenge us, wisdom to learn from ancient contexts, and
courage to obey even in challenging circumstances. Strengthen our faith,
Lord Jesus, as we surrender to Your perfect will, knowing that You have
already secured the victory at Calvary. Lead us onward confidently, in
the power of Your Holy Spirit, we pray. Amen.