Joshua Chapter 11

At a Glance

  • Joshua 11 documents a sweeping and decisive phase of conquest in northern Canaan.
  • This narrative emphasizes the fulfillment of divine instruction and the elimination of hostile political powers in the land.
  • Historical & Literary Context.
  • Joshua 11 sits within the central conquest narrative.
  • - Complete divine victory and sovereignty: God’s command and power decisively shape the outcome of battles.

JOSHUA CHAPTER 11

Chapter Overview

Joshua 11 documents a sweeping and decisive phase of conquest in northern Canaan. The chapter recounts a coalition of kings gathering with vast forces to challenge Israel at Merom. The Lord speaks to Joshua, promising victory, and instructs him to mobilize swiftly. The battle that follows is portrayed as comprehensive and divine-directed: Israel defeats the northern coalition, captures Hazor, and executes harsh justice on adversaries, including the destruction of cities and the extermination of their inhabitants in some places. Hazor itself, previously the head city of these kingdoms, falls, and its king is slain. The chapter ends by summarizing the extent of Israel’s conquests: all the cities and kings in the north are subdued, with Joshua implementing what is described as the Lord’s command, burning cities and destroying populations as part of the conquest.

This narrative emphasizes the fulfillment of divine instruction and the elimination of hostile political powers in the land. It also foregrounds the theme of divine judgment against a deeply entrenched opposition to Israel’s presence in the land. The portrayal of complete destruction reinforces the seriousness with which the land promises are to be treated, while also raising ongoing questions for readers about violence, justice, and the ways in which historical memory shapes national identity.

Historical & Literary Context

Joshua 11 sits within the central conquest narrative. The Deuteronomistic editors frame this chapter as part of God’s faithful fulfillment of his covenant. The style is martial-heroic, presenting a sweeping ledger of kings and cities subdued, and emphasizing God’s sovereignty over the landscape and its rulers. The chapter is a turning point that consolidates Israel’s territorial claims in the north and showcases the divine mandate that undergirds these military campaigns.

Key Themes

- Complete divine victory and sovereignty: God’s command and power decisively shape the outcome of battles.

- The necessity of obedience to execute God’s promises: Joshua’s faithful adherence to divine instructions culminates in mass conquests.

- The crushing of rival powers to secure the land: the political landscape shifts as Israel appropriates territory.

- The complexity of holy war as a narrative of judgment: the destruction of cities and populations is framed within the covenantal context.

Modern Application

- Trust in God’s sovereignty even when battles seem insurmountable.

- The weight of obedience in leadership—following God’s commands leads to dramatic transformation.

- The ethical reflection on conquest invites readers to wrestle with questions about violence, justice, and how communities pursue secure futures in ways consistent with their faith.

- Deuteronomy 7:1-5 (commands to destroy certain peoples in the Promised Land)

- Joshua 6-7 (Jericho and Ai as precedents for obedience and victory)

- Judges 1-2 (continuing conquest and settlement in the land)

Recommended Personas

- Moses (leadership and obedience under divine mandate)

- David (military strategy and faith in God’s victories)

- Jesus (compassion and justice in conflict, interpretation of violence)

- Deborah (military leadership and strategic faith)

Chapter Text

1

And it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor had heard those things, that he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph,

2

And to the kings that were on the north of the mountains, and of the plains south of Chinneroth, and in the valley, and in the borders of Dor on the west,

3

And to the Canaanite on the east and on the west, and to the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the mountains, and to the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpeh.

4

And they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people, even as the sand that is upon the sea shore in multitude, with horses and chariots very many.

5

And when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel.

6

And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.

7

So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom suddenly; and they fell upon them.

8

And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon, and unto Misrephothmaim, and unto the valley of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left them none remaining.

9

And Joshua did unto them as the LORD bade him: he houghed their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire.

10

And Joshua at that time turned back, and took Hazor, and smote the king thereof with the sword: for Hazor beforetime was the head of all those kingdoms.

11

And they smote all the souls that were therein with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying them: there was not any left to breathe: and he burnt Hazor with fire.

12

And all the cities of those kings, and all the kings of them, did Joshua take, and smote them with the edge of the sword, and he utterly destroyed them, as Moses the servant of the LORD commanded.

13

But as for the cities that stood still in their strength, Israel burned none of them, save Hazor only; that did Joshua burn.

14

And all the spoil of these cities, and the cattle, the children of Israel took for a prey unto themselves; but every man they smote with the edge of the sword, until they had destroyed them, neither left they any to breathe.

15

As the LORD commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses.

16

So Joshua took all that land, the hills, and all the south country, and all the land of Goshen, and the valley, and the plain, and the mountain of Israel, and the valley of the same;

17

Even from the mount Halak, that goeth up to Seir, even unto Baalgad in the valley of Lebanon under mount Hermon: and all their kings he took, and smote them, and slew them.

18

Joshua made war a long time with all those kings.

19

There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, save the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon: all other they took in battle.

20

For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses.

21

And at that time came Joshua, and cut off the Anakims from the mountains, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the mountains of Judah, and from all the mountains of Israel: Joshua destroyed them utterly with their cities.

22

There was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of Israel: only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, there remained.

23

So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war.

Discuss This Chapter with Biblical Personas

Explore Joshua Chapter 11 with Biblical figures who can provide unique perspectives grounded in Scripture.

Ask Apostle PaulAsk MosesAsk King DavidAsk Jesus Christ
← Joshua 10Joshua 12 →