Defeat of the Northern Coalition and Hazor Destroyed
Joshua 11:1-23
Jos.11.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- כשמע: CONJ
- יבין: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- חצור: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וישלח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- יובב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- מדון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- שמרון: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אכשף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judges 4:2 (verbal): Mentions Jabin king of Hazor by name as Israel’s oppressor — the same royal title/location named in Joshua 11:1 (direct verbal parallel).
- Judges 5:6-8 (thematic): The Song of Deborah depicts Israel’s oppression under Jabin and the prominence of Hazor and other Canaanite strongholds, reflecting the same enemy-political landscape behind Joshua 11:1.
- Joshua 10:5-6 (structural): Describes a coalition of Canaanite/Amorite kings uniting against Israel (the five Amorite kings), a closely related motif of multiple kings combining forces as in Joshua 11:1.
- Genesis 14:1-9 (structural): An earlier narrative of a confederation of kings waging war together in the region; provides a broader ancient Near Eastern parallel to the multi-king alliance in Joshua 11:1.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor had heard, that he sent and summoned Jobab king of Madon, and the king of Shimron, and the king of Achshaph,
- And it came to pass when Jabin king of Hazor heard, that he sent and summoned Jobab king of Madon, and the king of Shimron, and the king of Achshaph,
Jos.11.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- המלכים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- מצפון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בהר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- ובערבה: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- נגב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כנרות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ובשפלה: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- ובנפות: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- דור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Joshua 12:8-24 (structural): A parallel catalogue: Joshua 12 lists the kings and territories conquered in the land of Canaan, repeating the same type of regional/kingship summary as Josh.11:2– the administrative/geographical enumeration of conquered polities.
- Joshua 10:40 (thematic): A summary statement of Joshua's campaigns that, like Josh.11:2, frames conquest in terms of broad geographic sweep (from Kadesh‑barnea to Gaza, Hebron, etc.), paralleling the territorial emphasis of the verse.
- Judges 1:4-7 (thematic): An independent account of Israel's seizures of towns and regions (e.g., hill country, cities), thematically parallel in describing military activity and control of Canaanite regions following initial conquest.
- Numbers 34:3-5 (verbal): An earlier prescription of the land’s borders using geographic markers; parallels Josh.11:2 in its concern with territorial delimitations and named regions of Canaan.
- Deuteronomy 11:24 (thematic): A promise of control over broad territorial extents ('from the wilderness to Lebanon, from the river to the sea'), thematically echoing the territorial scope and regional language found in Josh.11:2.
Alternative generated candidates
- and the kings who were northward, in the hill country and in the Arabah, in the Negev, at the Sea of Kinnereth, in the lowland, and in the coasts of Dor by the sea.
- and the kings who were northward, in the hill country and in the Arabah, in the Negeb, in the lowland, and in the districts of Dor and by the waters.
Jos.11.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הכנעני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,def
- ממזרח: PREP
- ומים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- והאמרי: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,def
- והחתי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- והפרזי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- והיבוסי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בהר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- והחוי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- תחת: PREP
- חרמון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- המצפה: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Exodus 3:8 (verbal): God's promise to bring Israel into a land 'flowing with milk and honey' and lists the Canaanite peoples to be dispossessed (Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, Jebusites), matching the tribal names in Joshua 11:3.
- Deuteronomy 7:1 (verbal): Deuteronomy enumerates the nations Israel will defeat on entering Canaan (Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, Jebusites), paralleling Joshua's catalogue of peoples.
- Genesis 15:19-21 (verbal): God's covenantal promise to Abram lists many of the same Canaanite groups (Perizzites, Rephaim, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites, Jebusites), providing an ancestral background to the tribal names in Joshua 11:3.
- Judges 3:3 (structural): Specifies that some Hivites lived 'in Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal-hermon unto the entering in of Hamath,' echoing Joshua's reference to the Hivites under Hermon in the land of Mizpah and the geographical framing of these peoples.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the Canaanites from the east and from the west, and the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Jebusites on the hill, and the Hivites under Hermon in the land of Mizpeh, came together.
- The Canaanites from the east and from the west, the Amorite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the hill country, and the Hivite beneath Hermon in the land of Mizpah.
Jos.11.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויצאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- הם: PRON,personal,3,m,pl
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- מחניהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:3,m,pl
- עמם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- עם: PREP
- רב: ADJ,m,sg
- כחול: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- על: PREP
- שפת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- הים: NOUN,m,sg,abs,def
- לרב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וסוס: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ורכב: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רב: ADJ,m,sg
- מאד: ADV
Parallels
- Judges 4:3 (verbal): Describes Israel oppressed by a military force possessing many chariots (’nine hundred chariots of iron’); parallels Joshua’s depiction of an enemy with numerous horses and chariots.
- Exodus 14:7 (verbal): Pharaoh musters his chosen chariots and horsemen to pursue Israel; parallels the image of a large host coming out with many horses and chariots.
- Genesis 22:17 (verbal): Uses the simile “as the sand that is upon the seashore” to describe an uncountable multitude; the same phrase appears in Joshua 11:4 to portray the great number of the enemy.
- Genesis 32:12 (verbal): Jacob refers to his descendants as being like the sand of the sea—another use of the same seaside-sand simile for vast multitude, paralleling Joshua’s comparison.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they came out, they and all their hosts with them—many people, like the sand that is on the seashore—with horses and chariots very many.
- So they came forth, they and all their camps with them, a very great company, like the sand that is on the seashore in multitude; with many horses and chariots.
Jos.11.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויועדו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- כל: DET
- המלכים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ויחנו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- יחדו: ADV
- אל: NEG
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- מרום: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- להלחם: VERB,hitp,inf
- עם: PREP
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Joshua 10:6 (structural): Same book and narrative pattern: several Amorite kings assemble and march to fight Israel (a coalition of kings joining forces against Israel).
- Numbers 21:21-23 (verbal): Sihon ‘gathered all his people together’ and went out to fight Israel—verbal and action parallel (assembly of forces to battle Israel).
- Judges 4:3 (thematic): Jabin king of Hazor and Canaanite forces oppress Israel and assemble against them—thematic parallel (enemy coalition, and Hazor/Jabin motif echoed in Joshua 11).
- 2 Chronicles 20:1-2 (thematic): A coalition of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir ‘came out’ and gathered to make war against Judah—similar motif of multiple nations encamping against God’s people.
Alternative generated candidates
- And all these kings were gathered together, and they came and encamped together by the waters of Merom to fight against Israel.
- All these kings were gathered together, and they encamped together at the waters of Merom to fight with Israel.
Jos.11.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- תירא: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- מפניהם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- מחר: ADV
- כעת: ADV
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- כלם: PRON,3,m,pl
- חללים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לפני: PREP
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- סוסיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- תעקר: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- מרכבתיהם: NOUN,f,pl,poss
- תשרף: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- באש: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Josh.10.8 (verbal): Nearly identical divine assurance to Joshua — 'Fear not' and promise that the enemy will be delivered into Israel's hand, reflecting a repeated formula for military victory.
- Exod.14.13-14 (thematic): Moses' exhortation 'Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD... the LORD shall fight for you' parallels the promise of divine deliverance and absence of fear before battle.
- Deut.20.4 (thematic): Declaration that the Lord goes with Israel to fight for them echoes the assurance that God will give the enemy into Israel's hands.
- Judg.7.7 (thematic): God's promise to Gideon that He will save by a small force and deliver the Midianites into his hand parallels the motif of the LORD granting decisive victory.
- 1 Sam.17.47 (thematic): David's claim that 'the battle is the LORD's' and that God gives victory echoes the theological principle behind Joshua's promise of deliverance and destruction of enemy chariots.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the LORD said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid of them; for tomorrow at this time I will deliver all of them slain before Israel; you shall hough their horses and burn their chariots with fire."
- Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them; for tomorrow about this time I will deliver all of them slain before Israel. You shall hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire.”
Jos.11.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- עם: PREP
- המלחמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- על: PREP
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- מרום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פתאם: ADV
- ויפלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Judges 5:20-21 (thematic): Both passages portray a decisive rout of Israel’s enemies at or by waters (Kishon/Merom), using aquatic imagery to describe divine victory over opposing armies.
- Judges 7:19-22 (thematic): Gideon’s surprise attack and the resulting panic and rout (night attack, trumpet/torch tactics) parallel Joshua’s sudden assault and the collapse of the hostile confederation.
- Exodus 14:26-31 (thematic): The drowning/routing of an enemy at a body of water (Red Sea) highlights the recurring motif of YHWH using waters to secure a decisive victory for Israel, analogous to the victory at Merom.
- Joshua 10:11 (structural): Another episode in Joshua’s conquest narrative where Israel’s foes fall suddenly (here by hailstones and divine intervention); parallels Joshua 11:7 in patterning swift, divinely aided defeats during the conquest.
- 1 Samuel 14:12-14 (thematic): Jonathan’s surprise strike and the ensuing panic among the Philistines—viewed as an act of the LORD—echo the suddenness and God‑directed nature of the victory described at the waters of Merom.
Alternative generated candidates
- So Joshua and all the host of war with him came upon them suddenly at the waters of Merom, and they fell before them.
- So Joshua and all the mighty men of valor with him came suddenly upon them at the waters of Merom, and they fell upon them.
Jos.11.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויתנם: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg,obj:3mp
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויכום: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- וירדפום: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- עד: PREP
- צידון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רבה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- ועד: CONJ+PREP
- משרפות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- מים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ועד: CONJ+PREP
- בקעת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- מצפה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מזרחה: ADV,dir
- ויכם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עד: PREP
- בלתי: NEG
- השאיר: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- שריד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Joshua 11:11 (verbal): Same campaign report immediately following v.8; repeats the claim that Joshua 'left none that breathed'—a near-verbatim statement of total destruction.
- Joshua 10:40 (verbal): Parallel conquest formula elsewhere in Joshua describing pursuit and rout of Canaanite kings and ending with no survivors—similar language and military motif.
- Deuteronomy 20:16-18 (thematic): Legal/ theological background for the extermination of certain nations—commands to devote inhabitants to complete destruction that undergirds Joshua’s actions.
- 1 Samuel 15:3 (quotation): Samuel’s charge to Saul to 'utterly destroy' Amalek (men, women, children, and animals) echoes the language and ideology of leaving none alive.
- Judges 1:4-8 (thematic): Early Israelite conquest narratives (Judges 1) depict similar strikes, pursuits, and destruction of Canaanite cities—comparable patterns of warfare and burning.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who struck them and chased them as far as Great Sidon, and Misrephoth-maim, and the valley of Mizpeh eastward; they struck them until there was none left, and they left no remnant.
- And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who struck them and pursued them to great Sidon, and to Misrephoth-maim, and to the valley of Mizpah eastward; and they struck them until none remained.
Jos.11.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כאשר: CONJ
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- סוסיהם: NOUN,m,pl,poss
- עקר: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- מרכבתיהם: NOUN,f,pl,poss
- שרף: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- באש: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Sam.8:4 (verbal): David 'hamstrung all the chariot-horses' — the same practice of disabling horses that Joshua carries out; close verbal and thematic parallel.
- 1 Chron.18:4 (verbal): Parallel account to 2 Samuel 8:4 (Chronicles retells David's hamstringing of chariot-horses), reinforcing the motif of rendering enemy chariots unusable.
- Deut.17:16 (structural): Law forbidding the king from multiplying horses or returning to Egypt for them — provides legal/theological background for policies toward horses and chariots and explains Israel's ambivalence about such military assets.
- Judg.1:19 (thematic): Reports Israel's earlier inability to drive out inhabitants 'because they had iron chariots' — underscores the military threat posed by chariots that Joshua neutralizes by destroying them.
- Ps.20:7 (thematic): 'Some trust in chariots and some in horses...' — contrasts reliance on military power (chariots/horses) with trust in Yahweh; Joshua's destruction of chariots aligns with the theme of eliminating dependence on such forces.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Joshua did to them as the LORD had told him; he hough their horses and burned their chariots with fire.
- And Joshua did to them as the LORD had commanded him: he hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots with fire.
Jos.11.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בעת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ההיא: DEM,f,sg
- וילכד: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- חצור: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- מלכה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הכה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בחרב: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- חצור: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לפנים: PREP
- היא: PRON,dem,3,f,sg
- ראש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כל: DET
- הממלכות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
Parallels
- Joshua 11:13 (verbal): Same narrative about Hazor: Joshua burned Hazor with fire after defeating its king (continuation and repetition within the Joshua account).
- Joshua 12:8 (verbal): Summary list of kings defeated by Moses and Joshua repeats the conquest of the king of Hazor—verbal/structural repetition of Joshua’s victory.
- Judges 4:2–24 (thematic): Earlier tradition of a campaign against Hazor under King Jabin and the deliverance led by Deborah and Barak; both accounts center on Hazor as a dominant Canaanite power and its defeat.
- 1 Kings 9:15–17 (allusion): Solomon’s building activity includes Hazor (which he rebuilt), implying an earlier destruction of Hazor—traditionally attributed to Joshua’s conquest (background allusion to Hazor’s earlier defeat and burning).
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Joshua turned back at that time and took Hazor, and struck its king with the sword—for Hazor formerly was the head of all those kingdoms.
- At that time Joshua turned back and took Hazor, and struck its king with the sword; for Hazor formerly was the head of all those kingdoms.
Jos.11.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויכו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- הנפש: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- לפי: PREP
- חרב: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- החרם: VERB,qal,perf,1,pl
- לא: PART_NEG
- נותר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- כל: DET
- נשמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- חצור: NOUN,prop,f,sg
- שרף: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- באש: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Josh.6.21 (verbal): Same battle-report language: all who were in the city were destroyed by the sword and the city was devoted/burned—paralleling the annihilation and burning of Hazor.
- Deut.20.16-18 (thematic): Legal/ethical background for 'herem' (utter destruction): commands to leave nothing alive in certain pagan cities, which underlies Joshua’s actions.
- 1 Sam.15.3 (thematic): Divine command to Saul to utterly destroy Amalek—another explicit instance of a divinely sanctioned 'utter destruction' of people and livestock, reflecting the same wartime ideology.
- Josh.10.40 (verbal): Uses the same formulaic wording ('left none that breathed') to describe Israel’s decisive victories—shows a recurring Joshua-era battle-report formula and outcome language.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they struck all the souls that were in it with the edge of the sword; he devoted them to destruction—there was no soul left; and he burned Hazor with fire.
- And they struck all the people in it with the edge of the sword; he devoted them to destruction—there was none left that breathed. And he burned Hazor with fire.
Jos.11.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואת: CONJ
- כל: DET
- ערי: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- המלכים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
- ואת: CONJ
- כל: DET
- מלכיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3mp
- לכד: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויכם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לפי: PREP
- חרב: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- החרים: NOUN,prop,m,pl,def
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- כאשר: CONJ
- צוה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- עבד: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 7:2 (verbal): God's command to 'utterly destroy' the nations Israel meets; language and injunction to show no mercy parallel Joshua's destruction as commanded by Moses.
- Deuteronomy 20:16-18 (verbal): Instruction in holy war to 'leave nothing alive' and devote cities to destruction; provides the legal/theological rationale echoed in Joshua's actions.
- Joshua 6:21 (verbal): Immediate parallel within Joshua: the inhabitants of Jericho are 'utterly destroyed' with the sword, using the same formula of devotion/destruction.
- Joshua 8:26 (verbal): After Ai's capture the text reports that all in the city were devoted to destruction—same conquest motif and language as Joshua 11:12.
- 1 Samuel 15:3 (thematic): Samuel's command to Saul to 'utterly destroy' Amalek (men, women, children, animals) parallels the theme of divinely-commissioned annihilation of enemy peoples.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Joshua took all the cities of those kings, and their kings he struck with the edge of the sword; he devoted them to destruction, just as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded.
- And Joshua took all the cities of those kings, and he struck their kings with the edge of the sword, and devoted them to destruction, as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded.
Jos.11.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- רק: PRT
- כל: DET
- הערים: NOUN,f,pl,def
- העמדות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- על: PREP
- תלם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- שרפם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זולתי: PREP
- את: PRT,acc
- חצור: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לבדה: ADV
- שרף: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Joshua 6:21 (verbal): Like Joshua 11:13, Joshua 6:21 reports the complete destruction of a city by fire (Jericho), using the same motif of burning a conquered city.
- Joshua 8:28 (verbal): Joshua burns Ai and makes it a permanent heap; parallels Joshua 11:13 in the practice and language of burning defeated cities.
- Deuteronomy 20:16-18 (thematic): Gives the legal/theological rationale for devoting certain Canaanite cities to total destruction (herem), the background for accounts like Joshua 11:13.
- Judges 1:27-36 (thematic): Describes instances where Israelites did not fully drive out or destroy Canaanite cities—a thematic counterpoint to Joshua 11:13’s report that only Hazor was burned while other mound-topped cities were left intact.
Alternative generated candidates
- But all the cities that stood on their mounds Israel did not burn, except Hazor alone Joshua burned.
- Only the cities that stood on their mounds Israel did not burn, except Hazor alone Joshua burned.
Jos.11.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- שלל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הערים: NOUN,f,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
- והבהמה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,def
- בזזו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רק: PRT
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- האדם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הכו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- לפי: PREP
- חרב: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- השמדם: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- לא: PART_NEG
- השאירו: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,pl
- כל: DET
- נשמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Josh.11.11 (verbal): Nearly identical report in the same campaign: taking the spoil and putting the people to the sword, leaving no survivor (uses same language of destroying and leaving none that breathe).
- Josh.10.40 (structural): Summary of Joshua's earlier conquests: 'he left none that breathed' and subjugated cities—same theme of comprehensive military defeat and annihilation of opponents.
- Deut.7.2 (thematic): Command to 'utterly destroy' the nations of Canaan and show them no mercy; provides the legal/ideological framework behind Israel's exterminatory warfare language.
- 1 Sam.15.3 (allusion): Divine injunction to annihilate Amalek—'slay men and women, infants and sucklings' and seize spoils—parallels the motif of total destruction combined with taking plunder.
Alternative generated candidates
- And all the spoil of these cities and the livestock the Israelites took for themselves; but every person they struck with the edge of the sword until they were destroyed—there was no one left who breathed.
- And all the spoil of the cities and the livestock the people of Israel took for themselves; but they struck every person with the edge of the sword until they had destroyed them; there was no breathing left.
Jos.11.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כאשר: CONJ
- צוה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- עבדו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- כן: ADV
- צוה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכן: ADV
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- הסיר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מכל: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- צוה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 34:9 (verbal): Explicitly echoes the formula: the Israelites "did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses," linking Joshua's obedience to Moses' commands (very close verbal parallel).
- Joshua 1:16-18 (verbal): The people pledge to obey Joshua "according to all that Moses commanded us," repeating the same transfer-of-authority language and commitment to carry out Moses' instructions.
- Deuteronomy 31:7 (structural): Moses publicly commissions Joshua to lead Israel into the land and to carry out what the LORD commanded — the foundational transfer of command that the Joshua 11:15 statement presupposes (leadership/commissioning parallel).
- Joshua 21:43-45 (thematic): A broader summary that God gave Israel the land and fulfilled his promises; thematically parallels Joshua 11:15's claim that Joshua left nothing undone in carrying out the LORD's commands through Moses (fulfillment of divine instruction and promise).
Alternative generated candidates
- Just as the LORD had commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and Joshua did; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD had commanded Moses.
- So Joshua did; he did not turn aside from anything that the LORD had commanded Moses; thus he carried out all that Moses had commanded.
Jos.11.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- ההר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- כל: DET
- הנגב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- כל: DET
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הגשן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- השפלה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- הערבה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- הר: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושפלתה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs+3fs
Parallels
- Joshua 10:40 (verbal): Similar wording listing regions subdued (hill country, Negev, lowland, slopes) as part of Joshua's conquest campaigns.
- Joshua 11:23 (structural): Summary statement that Joshua took the whole land—repeats and concludes the conquest narrative begun in 11:16.
- Joshua 12:7-24 (structural): Catalog of kings and territories defeated in the land—an administrative listing that overlaps with the territorial claims of 11:16.
- Joshua 21:43-45 (thematic): Affirms that the LORD gave Israel all the land and fulfilled His promises—frames the territorial possession attested in 11:16 as divine grant.
- Judges 1:4-7 (thematic): Early Judges account of Judah and Israel taking hill country and southern towns—another report of tribal conquest of similar regions described in Joshua 11:16.
Alternative generated candidates
- So Joshua took all that land—the hill country, and all the Negev, and all the land of Goshen, and the lowland, and the Arabah, and Mount Israel with its lowland.
- Thus Joshua took all that land—the hill country and all the Negeb and all the land of Goshen, and the lowland and the Arabah and Mount Israel and its lowland.
Jos.11.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- מן: PREP
- ההר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- החלק: NOUN,m,sg,def
- העולה: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg,def
- שעיר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ועד: CONJ+PREP
- בעל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גד: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- בבקעת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,const
- הלבנון: NOUN,m,sg,def
- תחת: PREP
- הר: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- חרמון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- כל: DET
- מלכיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3mp
- לכד: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ויכם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- וימיתם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
Parallels
- Joshua 10:40-42 (verbal): Similar conquest language and formulaic summary — Israel 'smote' the kings and took the land, describing wide-ranging military successes earlier in Joshua (southern campaign).
- Joshua 12:7-24 (structural): A parallel catalog: a summary list of the kings and territories defeated by Moses and Joshua, repeating the conquest material and the enumeration of captured kings/lands.
- Deuteronomy 3:1-6 (thematic): Moses' northern victories over kings (e.g., Og of Bashan) where Israel 'struck' and 'took' territory — parallels the motif of defeating regional kings and seizing land north of the Jordan.
- Psalm 135:10-12 (verbal): Uses the language of God smiting great/mighty kings and giving their land to Israel — echoes the theological framing of Joshua's military defeats and territorial grant.
Alternative generated candidates
- From Mount Halak that goes up to Seir even to Baal-gad in the valley of Lebanon beneath Mount Hermon, he took all their kings and struck them and killed them.
- From the hill that rises to Seir even to Baal-gad in the valley of Lebanon under Mount Hermon Joshua captured all their kings and struck them and killed them.
Jos.11.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- רבים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- המלכים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
- מלחמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Josh.10:40 (verbal): Describes Joshua's military campaign and sweeping defeats of Canaanite kings; parallels the account of Joshua making war against the kings and consolidating victory in the land.
- Josh.11:20 (thematic): Gives theological explanation for the prolonged fighting in 11:18—God hardened the Canaanite kings' hearts so they would be destroyed—linking the duration of the war to divine intent.
- Judg.1:4-7 (thematic): Early Judges account of Israelite tribes conducting extended campaigns to take cities and defeat local kings; parallels the prolonged, localized warfare described in Joshua's conquest narratives.
- Deut.20:16-18 (allusion): Law concerning the complete destruction (herem) of certain peoples in the land; provides the legal/theological background for Joshua's extended wars against Canaanite kings.
- 1 Sam.15:3 (thematic): Prophetic command to devote a people to destruction (herem) as judgment; parallels the motif of divinely sanctioned total warfare found in Joshua's prolonged campaigns.
Alternative generated candidates
- For many days did Joshua make war with all those kings.
- Joshua waged war with all those kings many days.
Jos.11.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לא: PART_NEG
- היתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- עיר: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- השלימה: VERB,hiph,perf,3,f,sg
- אל: NEG
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בלתי: NEG
- החוי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ישבי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- גבעון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- הכל: PRON,m,sg,abs
- לקחו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- במלחמה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Joshua 9:3–27 (structural): The episode of the Gibeonites making peace with Israel (by deception) explains the exception noted here that the Hivites of Gibeon made peace with Israel.
- Deuteronomy 20:10–15 (thematic): Prescribes offering terms of peace to a city outside the land and, if refused, attacking it — provides legal/thematic background for Israel’s blanket rejection of peace except Gibeon.
- Joshua 10:1–14 (structural): Narrates the campaign centered on Gibeon (the battle where Israel rescues Gibeon and defeats southern kings), showing why Gibeon remained allied and other cities were taken by force.
- Joshua 10:40 (verbal): Summarizes Joshua’s conquests in the south with language similar to 11:19 about striking and taking cities in battle, emphasizing the comprehensive military defeat of Israel’s enemies.
Alternative generated candidates
- There was not a city that made peace with the people of Israel except the Hivites who dwelt in Gibeon; they took all the rest in battle.
- There was no city that made peace with the people of Israel except the Hivites who lived at Gibeon; they took them all in battle.
Jos.11.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- מאת: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- היתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- לחזק: VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- לבם: NOUN,m,sg,poss
- לקראת: PREP
- המלחמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- למען: PREP
- החרימם: VERB,hiph,inf+3,m,pl
- לבלתי: PART,neg
- היות: VERB,qal,inf
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- תחנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- למען: PREP
- השמידם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- כאשר: CONJ
- צוה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 9:12 (verbal): Same theological/verbal motif: the LORD 'hardened' the heart of the enemy (Pharaoh) so that he would act in opposition—parallels Josh.11:20's claim that Yahweh strengthened the Canaanite hearts toward battle.
- Romans 9:17-18 (allusion): Paul cites God's hardening of hearts (in Exodus) to demonstrate divine sovereignty in judging and showing mercy—an interpretive echo of Josh.11:20's point that God hardened hearts to bring about judgment.
- Deuteronomy 20:16-18 (verbal): Law governing holy war: certain cities are to be 'utterly destroyed' with nothing spared. This legal formula parallels Joshua's stated purpose to destroy the Canaanite settlements completely.
- Deuteronomy 7:2 (thematic): Command to 'devote to destruction' the nations of Canaan so they will not remain—provides the Deuteronomic basis for Joshua's action and language about making no standing place for them.
- Joshua 6:17-21 (verbal): Narrative parallel within Joshua: the dedication and complete destruction of Jericho (herem) uses similar vocabulary and fulfills the same pattern of divinely ordained extermination described in Josh.11:20.
Alternative generated candidates
- For it was the LORD who hardened their hearts to wage war against Israel, to destroy them utterly, that they might be devoted—having no place remaining—just as the LORD had commanded Moses.
- For it was the LORD who had strengthened their hearts to battle Israel, to destroy them utterly, that he might devote them to destruction, leaving them no remnant, as the LORD had commanded Moses.
Jos.11.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בעת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ההיא: DEM,f,sg
- ויכרת: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הענקים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- מן: PREP
- ההר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מן: PREP
- חברון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מן: PREP
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מן: PREP
- ענב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומכל: CONJ
- הר: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ומכל: CONJ
- הר: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עם: PREP
- עריהם: NOUN,f,pl,poss:3mp
- החרימם: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,sg,obj:3mp
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Josh.11.22 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: restates that no Anakim remained in the land except in three Philistine cities, directly linked to Joshua's extermination of the Anakim in 11:21.
- Josh.15:13-14 (verbal): Caleb's expulsion of the sons of Anak from Hebron (Sheshai, Ahiman, Talmai) echoes Joshua's cutting off of the Anakim from Hebron and the hill country of Judah.
- Num.13:22,33 (allusion): The spies' report that they saw the Anakim in Hebron and described them as giants provides the background contrast to Joshua's later destruction of the Anakim.
- Deut.2:10-11,21 (thematic): References to the Emim and Anakim as ancient mighty/giant peoples situate the Anakim of Joshua 11 within wider Israelite traditions about pre-Israelite 'giants' and former inhabitants of the land.
Alternative generated candidates
- At that time Joshua came and cut off the Anakim from the hill country, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the mountains of Judah and from all the mountains of Israel; Joshua devoted them to destruction with their cities.
- At that time Joshua came and cut off the Anakim from the mountains—from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the mountains of Judah and Israel; Joshua devoted them to destruction with their cities.
Jos.11.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לא: PART_NEG
- נותר: VERB,qal,perf,3,ms
- ענקים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רק: PRT
- בעזה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- בגת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- ובאשדוד: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- נשארו: VERB,qal,perf,3,mp
Parallels
- Numbers 13:22,33 (verbal): The spies report seeing the Anakim (or Nephilim) in Canaan—establishes the Anakim as a known group inhabiting the land prior to Israel’s conquest, matching Joshua’s statement about their presence and removal.
- Deuteronomy 9:2 (thematic): Describes the people of the land as 'great and tall' and explicitly links them to the sons of Anak, providing background for the Anakim motif that Joshua 11:22 summarizes.
- Joshua 15:13-14 (structural): Reports Caleb’s expulsion of the three sons of Anak from Hebron (Kiriath‑arba), illustrating the earlier local defeats of the Anakim and aligning with Joshua’s note that only certain Philistine cities still harbored them.
- 2 Samuel 21:15-22 (see also 1 Chronicles 20:4-8) (allusion): Narrates later combats with Philistine 'giants' (including figures associated with Gath), reflecting that remnants of giant/Anakite traditions persisted in Philistine cities—paralleling Joshua’s remark that some remained in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod.
Alternative generated candidates
- There were no Anakim left in the land of the people of Israel; only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod some remained.
- There were no Anakim left in the land of the people of Israel; only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod were they left.
Jos.11.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ככל: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויתנה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לנחלה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לישראל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כמחלקתם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+SUFF,3,m,pl
- לשבטיהם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+SUFF,3,m,pl
- והארץ: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שקטה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- ממלחמה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Josh.21.43-45 (verbal): Repeats the same fulfillment motifs—YHWH gave Israel the land, they took possession, and the land had rest from war; emphasizes promise-fulfillment language found in 11:23.
- Num.34.13-15 (structural): God commands Moses to assign the land to the tribes—parallel to Joshua’s action of giving the land to Israel as their inheritance.
- Deut.11.24 (thematic): Promise that every place the Israelites tread will be theirs; echoes the theme of God granting the whole land to Israel as reported in Joshua 11:23.
- Exod.23.31 (thematic): God’s promise to set borders and drive out the inhabitants of the land—connects to the fulfillment motif and conquest leading to possession.
- Judg.2.10-15 (thematic): Contrasting post-Joshua account: after Joshua’s death Israel turns away and the land ceases to have rest, highlighting the significance of the temporary rest described in 11:23.
Alternative generated candidates
- So Joshua took all the land, according to all that the LORD had said to Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their portions by tribes. And the land had rest from war.
- So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD had spoken to Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their divisions by tribes. And the land had rest from war.
When Jabin king of Hazor heard, he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph. And to the kings who were north, in the hill country and in the valley, in the Arabah and the Negev, at the Sea of Chinnereth, in the lowland, and in the coastal districts of Dor by the sea.
The Canaanite from the east and from the west, the Amorite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the hill country, and the Hivite beneath Mount Hermon in the land of Mizpah. And they went out, all their hosts with them—an exceedingly great multitude, like the sand that is on the seashore—with many horses and very many chariots.
All these kings made themselves firm; they came and encamped together by the waters of Merom to fight against Israel. And the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for by tomorrow at this time I have given all of them slain before Israel. You shall hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire.” So Joshua and all the warriors with him came upon them suddenly by the waters of Merom and struck them down. And the LORD gave them into the hand of Israel; they struck them and pursued them as far as Great Sidon, and Misrephoth‑maim, and the Valley of Mizpeh eastward, and they struck them until there was no survivor left. And Joshua did to them as the LORD had commanded him: he hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots with fire. And Joshua returned at that time and took Hazor, and struck its king with the sword; for Hazor was formerly the head of all those kingdoms.
They put every person in it to the sword; they devoted them to destruction—no one was left alive—and Hazor they burned with fire. And Joshua captured all the cities of those kings and their kings; he struck them with the edge of the sword and devoted them, just as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded.
Only the cities that stood on their mounds Israel did not burn, except Hazor alone which Joshua burned.
All the plunder of those cities and the livestock the Israelites took for themselves; but all the people they struck with the sword and utterly destroyed—no one was left alive.
As the LORD had commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua; and Joshua did; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD had commanded Moses. So Joshua took all that land—the hill country and all the Negev, and all the land of Goshen, and the lowland, and the Arabah, and the hill country of Israel and its lowland.
From the hill country rising to Seir even unto Baal‑gad in the valley of Lebanon under Mount Hermon—he took all their kings, and he struck them and put them to death.
Joshua waged war with all those kings many days.
There was no city that made peace with the people of Israel, except the Hivites who lived at Gibeon; all others they took by battle.
For it was from the LORD that their hearts were strengthened to meet Israel in battle, to destroy them utterly—that there should be no survivors—just as the LORD had commanded Moses.
At that time Joshua came and cut off the Anakim from the hill country—from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the hill country of Judah, and from all the hill country of Israel; Joshua devoted them and their cities to destruction.
No Anakim were left in the land of the people of Israel; only in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod did remnants remain. So Joshua took all the land, as the LORD had commanded Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their tribal allotments. And the land rested from war.