Joshua 11:7

7 And Joshua came, and all his host with him, against them suddenly, at the waters of Merom, and felled on them. (And so Joshua, and all his army, suddenly came against them, at the waters of Merom, and fell upon them.)

Joshua 11:7 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 11:7

So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against
them
Being encouraged by the Lord, they set out with Joshua at the head of them, to fight the kings and their forces. It is highly probable that these were not the whole body of armed men in the camp of Israel, but a select company Joshua took of them, and who would be able to make quicker marches on this expedition:

by the waters of Merom suddenly;
the Targum is,

``they lay by the waters of Merom;''

as they were thoughtless and careless, and not on their guard, Joshua and his forces came to them suddenly, unawares, and they not provided for them:

and they fell upon them;
at once, which threw them into disorder and confusion.

Joshua 11:7 In-Context

5 And all these kings came together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel.

6 And the Lord said to Joshua, Dread thou not them, for tomorrow, in this same hour, I shall betake all these men to be wounded in the sight of Israel; thou shalt hock the horses of them, and thou shalt burn the chariots by fire. (And the Lord said to Joshua, Do not thou fear them, for tomorrow, at this same hour, I shall make all these men to be killed before the army of Israel; and thou shalt hock their horses, and thou shalt burn up their chariots with fire.)

7 And Joshua came, and all his host with him, against them suddenly, at the waters of Merom, and felled on them. (And so Joshua, and all his army, suddenly came against them, at the waters of Merom, and fell upon them.)

8 And the Lord betook them into the hands of (the host of) Israel; which smited them, and pursued (them) till to Great(er) Sidon, and the waters of Misrephothmaim (and Misrephothmaim on the west), and to the field of Mizpeh, which is at the east part thereof.

9 And Joshua smote so all them, that he left no things of them (And Joshua so struck down all of them, that he left nothing of them); and he did as the Lord commanded to him; he hocked their horses, and burnt their chariots.