Joshua 11:4-8

4 And they came out with all their troops, a great horde, in number ¹like the sand that is on the seashore, with very many horses and chariots.

5 And all these kings joined their forces and came and encamped together at the waters of Merom to fight against Israel.

6 And the Lord said to Joshua, ²“Do not be afraid of them, for tomorrow at this time I will give over all of them, slain, to Israel. You shall ³hamstring their horses and burn their ⁴chariots with fire. ”

7 So Joshua and all his warriors came ⁵suddenly against them by the waters of Merom and fell upon them.

8 And the Lord gave them into the hand of Israel, who struck them and chased them as far as ⁶Great Sidon and ⁷Misrephoth-maim, and eastward as far as the Valley of ⁸Mizpeh. And they struck them until he left none remaining.

Joshua 11:4-8 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOSHUA 11

This chapter relates how that the kings of the northern parts of Canaan combine together against Joshua, Jos 11:1-5; and that the Lord encouraged him to fight with them, and did deliver them into his hands, who, with all their people, were smitten by him, Jos 11:6-11; and how that he took their cities, and destroyed the inhabitants of them, and took the spoil of them for a prey, Jos 11:12-15; and so became master of the whole country, both southern and northern, which is described Jos 11:16-20; and the chapter is concluded with an account of his cutting off the Anakim from various parts, which finished the conquest of the whole land, Jos 10:21-23.

Cross References

• 1. 11:4 Gen. 22:17; 32:12; Judg. 7:12; 1 Sam. 13:5
• 2. 11:6 [ch. 10:8]
• 3. 11:6 ver. 9; 2 Sam. 8:4; 1 Chr. 18:4; [Gen. 49:6]
• 4. 11:6 ch. 17:16-18; Deut. 20:1; Judg. 1:19; 4:3
• 5. 11:7 ch. 10:9
• 6. 11:8 ch. 19:28
• 7. 11:8 ch. 13:6
• 8. 11:8 ver. 3