Conquests in Northern Canaan

Conquests in Northern Canaan

And it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor had heard those things, that he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph, Jos. 11:1

it came to pass... Is found 430 times in Scripture. It is prominent in the historical sections, being used only 45 times in 17 prophetic books. "It shall come to pass" is a prophetic term found 123 times. It is used in prophetic sections of the historical books and appears 75 times in 17 prophetic books.

when Jabin... Jabin (a common name of the kings of Hazor) was the leader in organizing the northern confederacy of Canaan against Israel (Jos. 11:1-5).

king of Hazor... Head of the kingdoms of Canaan (Jos. 10:10), was perhaps located near the lake of Merom (Jos. 11:1, 11:10-13; 12:19; 15:23-25; 19:36). Hazor was destroyed by Joshua (Jos. 10:11), but was rebuilt. It then defeated Israel, but was defeated again by Deborah and Barak (Judges 4-5). It was in the Naphtali portion (Jos. 19:36), was a fortified city of Solomon (1Ki. 9:15), and was later taken by Assyria (2Ki. 15:29). This was not the Hazor in Judah (Jos. 15:23-25), the one in Benjamin (Neh. 11:33), or the one in Arabia (Jer. 49:28, 49:33).

had heard those... This could refer to the defeat of Jericho, Ai, and all the southern kings of Israel and include the wonders of God in Egypt, the miraculous things of the wilderness wanderings, the defeat of Sihon and Og on the east of Jordan, and the miracle of crossing the Jordan. All these things were well known to the inhabitants of Canaan (Jos. 2:9-10; 5:1; 9:9-10; 10:1-2).

sent to Jobab... Five men named Jobab:

1. A son of Joktan (Gen. 10:29; 1Ch. 1:23)

2. A king of Edom (Gen. 36:33-34; 1Ch. 1:44-45)

3. A king of Madan (Jos. 11:1)

4. A Benjamite (1Ch. 8:9)

5. A Benjamite (1Ch. 8:18)

king of Madon... Madon, a Canaanite city of unknown location (Jos. 12:19).

king of Shimron... Shimron, a Canaanite city of unknown location given to Zebulun (Jos. 19:15). Also the name of a son of Issachar (Gen. 46:13; Num. 26:24) and called Shimrom (1Ch. 7:1).

king of Achshaph... Achshaph, a city of Canaanites of unknown location (Jos. 12:20; 19:25).

And to the kings that were on the north of the mountains, and of the plains south of Chinneroth, and in the valley, and in the borders of Dor on the west, Jos. 11:2

south of Chinneroth... Chinneroth was afterward called the Lake of Gennesaret (Mat. 14:34; Mar. 6:53; Luke 5:1), the Sea of Tiberias (John 6:1, 6:23; 21:1), and more commonly the Sea of Galilee (Mat. 4:18; 15:29; Mar. 1:16; 7:31; John 6:1).

borders of Dor... Dor, a town and district in north Canaan taken by Joshua (Jos. 12:23; 17:11; Jdg. 1:27; 1Ki. 4:11).

And to the Canaanite on the east and on the west, and to the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the mountains, and to the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpeh. Jos. 11:3

Canaanite on the... Note the nations left to Joshua after his southern victories.

Land of Mizpeh... A land (Jos. 11:3) and valley (Jos. 11:8) in north Canaan, not the Mizpeh of Gilead (Jos. 13:26; Jdg_. 1:29); not the one in Judah (Jos. 15:38); or the one in Moab (1Sa. 22:3).

And they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people, even as the sand that is upon the sea shore in multitude, with horses and chariots very many. Jos. 11:4

And they went... The Fifteen-fold Sum of the New Confederacy

1. Jabin, king of Hazor (Jos. 11:1)

2. Jobab, king of Madan

3. The king of Shimron

4. The king of Achshaph

5. The kings north of the mountains

6. The kings of the plains south of Chinneroth (Sea of Galilee, Jos. 11:2)

7. The kings in the valley

8. The kings on the border of Dor on the west

9. The kings of the Canaanites on the east and west (Jos. 11:3)

10. The kings of the Amorites

11. The kings of the Hittites

12. The kings of the Perizzites

13. The kings of the Jebusites in the mountains

14. The kings of the Hivites under Hermon in the land of Mizpeh

15. All their hosts were as the sand of the sea for multitude, with horses and many chariots (Jos. 11:4).

even as the... Josephus says that the allied armies numbered 300,000 footmen, 10,000 horsemen, and 20,000 chariots which would indicate at least 30,000 horses. Canaanites are said to have armed their chariots with scythes fastened to poles and wheels which made terrible havoc of infantry as they were furiously driven through their ranks. The Israelites had only infantry and would have been defeated if God had not helped them.

with horses and... Horses and chariots are mentioned a number of times before this (Exo. 14:9, 14:23; Deut. 11:4; 20:1).

And when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel. Jos. 11:5

waters of Merom... The "waters of Merom" refers to a lake about 3 miles wide and 4 miles long, in the southern end of the large basin lying between the mountain ranges of Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon. Josephus knew this lake as Lake Semechonitis, and today it is called Lake Huleh or Hula. It is fed by numerous springs and fountains, the largest being the Jordan which flows into it from the north and exits in the southern part about 10 miles north of the Sea of Galilee.

And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire. Jos. 11:6

And the LORD... The 12th prophecy in Joshua (Jos. 11:6, fulfilled in Jos. 11:7-9). Next, Jos. 13:6. Two predictions of God:

1. Tomorrow about this same time I will deliver them up slain before Israel.

2. You shall hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire.

shalt hough their... Cut the hamstring or large sinew at the back of the hind leg.

So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom suddenly; and they fell upon them. Jos. 11:7

waters of Merom... Joshua’s victories were brought about by what could be called ancient "blitzkriegs" (Jos. 10:9).

And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon, and unto Misrephothmaim, and unto the valley of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left them none remaining. Jos. 11:8

the Lord delivered... In what way the Lord delivered is not stated, but having done it many times before by many means, it was surely by some supernatural work through angels, confusion, or panic.

chased them unto... Chased them:

1. To Zidon northwestward on the Mediterranean Sea (Jos. 19:28)

2. To Misrephoth-maim westward

3. To the valley of Mizpeh eastward

unto great Zidon... Zidon, a city located between the Lebanon mountains and the Mediterranean (Jos. 19:28; Gen. 49:13; Jdg. 1:31; 10:6; 18:28; 2Sa. 24:6; 1Ki. 17:9; 1Ch. 1:13; Ezr. 3:7). It was a maritime center (Isa. 23:2-12; Jer. 25:22; 27:3; 47:4; Eze. 27:8; 28:21-22; Joel 3:4; Zec. 9:2). It is called "Sidon" in the N.T. (Mat. 11:21-22; 15:21; Mar. 3:8; 7:24, 7:31; Luke 4:26; 6:17; 10:13-14; Act. 12:20; 27:3). See Sidonians (Deut. 3:9; Jos. 13:4, 13:6; Jdg. 3:3; 1Ki. 5:6). Sidon was also a man’s name (1Ch. 1:13).

and unto Misrephoth-maim... It means burnings of waters (Jos. 13:6). So called because of salt pits, glass works, or hot springs.

And Joshua did unto them as the LORD bade him: he houghed their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire. Jos. 11:9

he houghed their... But why did God command such drastic action, burning the chariots and hamstringing the horses? Because the Canaanites used horses in their pagan worship (and so later did Judah; cf. 2Ki. 23:11). Also there was danger that Israel might trust in these new weapons of war rather than in the Lord. The Psalmist David declared, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God” (Psm. 20:7).

And Joshua at that time turned back, and took Hazor, and smote the king thereof with the sword: for Hazor beforetime was the head of all those kingdoms. Jos. 11:10

at that time... In the second phase of the conflict in northern Canaan Joshua returned after routing the enemy army and captured all the cities of the defeated kings. Hazor, however, was singled out for special treatment, probably because it was by far the largest city of ancient Canaan (200 acres in size, compared with Megiddo at 14 and Jericho at 8).

And they smote all the souls that were therein with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying them: there was not any left to breathe: and he burnt Hazor with fire. And all the cities of those kings, and all the kings of them, did Joshua take, and smote them with the edge of the sword, and he utterly destroyed them, as Moses the servant of the LORD commanded. Jos. 11:11, 12

burnt Hazor with... Alone among the northern cities was both seized and burned.

But as for the cities that stood still in their strength, Israel burned none of them, save Hazor only; that did Joshua burn. Jos. 11:13

cities that stood... Though Joshua may have decided to save the other captured cities for later Israelite use, he determined to make an example of Hazor, capital of all these kingdoms (city states) and the convener of their armies.

And all the spoil of these cities, and the cattle, the children of Israel took for a prey unto themselves; but every man they smote with the edge of the sword, until they had destroyed them, neither left they any to breathe. Jos. 11:14

all the spoil... The gold, silver, household goods, corn, wine, oil, or any mercantile goods, together with cattle of every sort. All were taken by them for a prey, for their own use and benefit, which was allowed them.

"But every man they smote with the edge of the sword, until they had destroyed them, neither left they any to breathe": For which they had warrant so to do from the Lord, as follows.
In many cases, they had killed all of the livestock as well. In this particular case, they had kept the livestock and spoiled the city just killing all of the people.

As the LORD commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses. Jos. 11:15

the Lord commanded... Thus a decisive victory was won in the north. And the key was obedience to God. Joshua… left nothing undone of all that the Lord commanded Moses.

he left nothing... Joshua’s faithfulness to the Lord’s will and Moses’ directions is constantly underscored (compare verses 12, 20, 23). Joshua’s own farewell testimony emphasizes the faithfulness and goodness of God (compare 23:15).

We see from this that Joshua was doing exactly as he had been commanded by Moses to do. God had given these commands to Moses before he gave them to Joshua.
Deuteronomy 4:2 "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish [ought] from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you."
Deuteronomy 7:2 "And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, [and] utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor show mercy unto them:"

So Joshua took all that land, the hills, and all the south country, and all the land of Goshen, and the valley, and the plain, and the mountain of Israel, and the valley of the same; Jos. 11:16

So Joshua took... The Tenfold Summary of Conquests

1. Joshua took all that land.

2. The hills

3. All the south country

4. All the land of Goshen

5. The valley of the plain

6. The mountain of Israel

7. The valley of the same

8. From Mount Halak to Seir (Jos. 11:17)

9. Unto Baal-gad in the valley of Lebanon under Mount Hermon

10. He killed all the kings whom he took.

the hills... The hill country of Judea (Jos. 10:40).

the south country... The Negeb, the south country (Jos. 10:40; 12:8; 15:3).

land of Goshen... An unknown district of south Canaan in Judah which was distinct from the hill country, the Negeb, and the Shephelah (Jos. 10:41; 11:16) and in which the town of Goshen was located (Jos. 15:51).

and the valley... The low country of Canaan or the many valleys of the land.

and the plain... This may refer to one plain well known to the writer in that day, or to the many plains in the land (Jos. 3:16; 8:14; 12:1, 12:3; Gen. 13:10-18; 14:13; 19:17-29; Deut. 3:10-17; 4:43-49; 34:3).

and the mountain... What particular mountain is not clear. It may be all the mountains and their valleys.

Even from the mount Halak, that goeth up to Seir, even unto Baalgad in the valley of Lebanon under mount Hermon: and all their kings he took, and smote them, and slew them. Jos. 11:17

from the mount... This was the limit of Israel’s conquest on the south to the northern limits near Mount Hermon (Jos. 12:7-8).

Joshua made war a long time with all those kings. Jos. 11:18

a long time... Many days, about 5 years, for Caleb was 40 when the 12 spies were sent into Canaan before the 40 years of wandering, and he was 85 at the end of these wars (Jos. 14:10-15).

There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, save the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon: all other they took in battle. Jos. 11:19

was not a... Yet in all the military confrontations only one city, Gibeon, sought peace.

all other they... The rest were taken in battle, God having hardened their hearts (cf. Exo. 4:21; and Exo. 8:15) to fight Israel so that they might be destroyed.

For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses. Jos. 11:20

For it was... It was as necessary to destroy them for sin (Lev. 18:24-28) and because of the giant races and the satanic effort to do away with pure Adamite stock through whom the Seed of the woman should come, as it was to destroy the inhabitants of the earth at the time of Noah’s flood. See Gen. 6:1-4.

And at that time came Joshua, and cut off the Anakims from the mountains, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the mountains of Judah, and from all the mountains of Israel: Joshua destroyed them utterly with their cities. Jos. 11:21

cut off the... These were the giants that filled the land, descendants of the sons of God and the daughters of men. See Giants and the Sons of God.

from the mountains... The fact that several places all over Canaan are mentioned here indicates that the giants were scattered far and wide instead of dwelling in only one part of the land. The fact that Joshua annihilated them and their cities, and did not destroy all the cities of ordinary men (Jos. 11:13; 10:39) proves that the giants were dealt with more severely than the others. Some of the giants were left only in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod (Jos. 11:22).

There was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of Israel: only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, there remained. Jos. 11:22

there was none... But under Joshua those supposedly invincible foes were utterly destroyed. Only a few remained, in the remote cities of Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod — which later proved to be an unfortunate oversight on Joshua’s part because in David’s time Goliath came from Gath to defy Israel and her God (1Sa. 17:1-58).

So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war. Jos. 11:23

took the whole... This was after a war lasting for five years.

the Lord said... The section concludes with a declaration that summarizes the Book of Joshua as a whole. So Joshua took the entire land (cf. Jos. 11:16). This looks back and condenses the history of the Conquest in chapters 1-11. And he gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to their tribal divisions. These words look forward and summarize the distribution of the land in chapters 13-22.

But how is the statement, “Joshua took the entire land,” to be understood when later it was written that “there are still very large areas of land to be taken over”? (Jos. 13:1) To the Hebrew mind the part stands for the whole. It thus only needs to be demonstrated that Joshua took key centers in all parts of the land to validate the statement that he had conquered the whole land.

Then the land had rest from war.