Joshua 24:12

12 I sent the hornet ahead of you, which drove them out before you—also the two Amorite kings. You did not do it with your own sword and bow.

Joshua 24:12 in Other Translations

12 And I sent the hornet before you, which drave them out from before you, even the two kings of the Amorites; but not with thy sword, nor with thy bow.

12 And I sent the hornet before you, which drove them out before you, the two kings of the Amorites; it was not by your sword or by your bow.

12 And I sent terror ahead of you to drive out the two kings of the Amorites. It was not your swords or bows that brought you victory.

12 "I sent the Hornet ahead of you. It drove out the two Amorite kings - did your work for you. You didn't have to do a thing, not so much as raise a finger.

12 I sent the hornet ahead of you, and it drove out the two Amorite kings before you. It was not by your sword or bow.

Joshua 24:12 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 24:12

And I sent the hornet before you
Of which (See Gill on Exodus 23:28);

which drave them out from before you, [even] the two kings of the
Amorites;
who were Sihon and Og, and not only them, and the Amorites under them, but the other nations, Hivites, Hittites

[but] not with thy sword, nor with thy bow;
but by insects of the Lord's sending to them, which, as Kimchi says, so blinded their eyes, that they could not see to fight, and so Israel came upon them, and slew them; in which the hand of the Lord was manifestly seen, and to whose power, and not, their own, the destruction of their enemies was to be ascribed.

Joshua 24:12 In-Context

10 But I would not listen to Balaam, so he blessed you again and again, and I delivered you out of his hand.

11 “ ‘Then you crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho. The citizens of Jericho fought against you, as did also the Amorites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, Hivites and Jebusites, but I gave them into your hands.

12 I sent the hornet ahead of you, which drove them out before you—also the two Amorite kings. You did not do it with your own sword and bow.

13 So I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities you did not build; and you live in them and eat from vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant.’

14 “Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.

Cross References

• 1. S Exodus 23:28; Deuteronomy 7:20; Ps 44:3,6-7
• 2. S Exodus 23:31
• 3. Psalms 135:11