Joshua 11:19

19 No city made peace with the Israelites except the Hivites who inhabited Gibeon; all of them were taken in battle.

Joshua 11:19 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 11:19

There was not a city that made peace with the children of
Israel
Though, according to the Jews, Joshua, upon his first landing in Canaan, sent letters and messages to all the inhabitants of the land, offering them peace on certain terms; particularly that he sent three messages, or proposed three things to them; that those who had a mind to flee might flee; that those who were desirous of making peace might make it; and they that were for war, let them fight; all were for the last, and so perished ^F5:

save the Hivites and the inhabitants of Gibeon;
these, some have thought, did not hear of the offers of peace, others think they did, and at first rejected them, but repenting were obliged to take the crafty methods they did to obtain it, of which see ( Joshua 9:1-5 ) ;

all [other] they took in battle;
refusing to submit to them and make peace with them.

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FOOTNOTES:

F5 Hieros. Sheviith, fol. 37. 3.

Joshua 11:19 In-Context

17 from Mount Halak, which ascends to Seir, as far as Baal-gad in the Valley of Lebanon at the foot of Mount Hermon. He captured all their kings and struck them down, putting them to death.

18 Joshua waged war with all these kings for a long time.

19 No city made peace with the Israelites except the Hivites who inhabited Gibeon; all of them were taken in battle.

20 For it was the Lord's intention to harden their hearts, so that they would engage Israel in battle, be completely destroyed without mercy, and be annihilated, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.

21 At that time Joshua proceeded to exterminate the Anakim from the hill country-Hebron, Debir, Anab-all the hill country of Judah and of Israel. Joshua completely destroyed them with their cities.