Joshua 11:16-17
So 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 the hill country of Israel and its lowland from Mount Halak, which rises toward Seir, as far as Baal-gad in the Valley of Lebanon below Mount Hermon. And he captured all their kings and struck them and put them to death.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse isn't just a dry list of conquered territories; it emphasizes that Joshua secured the entirety of the promised land, from its highest mountains to its lowest valleys and plains. This thoroughness reveals that God's promises are not partial but complete, and His faithfulness extends to every aspect of the land He gave His people.
After a series of decisive military campaigns against a coalition of Canaanite kings, Joshua has systematically conquered significant portions of the land. This verse serves as a summary statement, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the victory by listing the diverse geographical regions now under Israelite control. The success here directly leads into the account of eliminating the Anakim and the eventual cessation of major warfare as the land finally finds rest.
Joshua's conquest wasn't just a victory; it was the fulfillment of a divine promise. This verse marks the culmination of that promise.
Joshua 11:16 summarizes a massive military campaign. The detailed listing of 'the hills,' 'the south country,' 'Goshen,' 'the valley,' 'the plain,' and 'the mountain of Israel' isn't just geography – it's a testament to God's faithfulness.
More Than Just Land
This wasn't merely Joshua conquering territory; it was God granting the entirety of Canaan as He had promised to Abraham and his descendants generations before. The completeness of the description emphasizes that all the land God intended for Israel was now under their control, or at least subdued, paving the way for inheritance.
A Unified Inheritance
The specific regions mentioned highlight the diverse geography of the promised land – from the mountainous areas to the lowlands. This comprehensive victory ensured that the entire inheritance, in all its varied terrain, was secured for the tribes of Israel.
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Did Joshua win these battles through sheer might, or was there a deeper force at play? This passage points to God's direct involvement.
The commentaries highlight that this extensive conquest, described in Joshua 11:16-23, was not solely due to Joshua's military prowess. It was an act of God's deliberate will.
Hardening Hearts
Commentators note that God's hand was in hardening the hearts of the Canaanite kings and their armies, leading them to confront Israel. This wasn't about God forcing them to sin, but about His sovereign plan to bring about their judgment. Their defiance ensured that they would not receive mercy, aligning with God's command to Moses to utterly destroy them.
Rest from War
Verse 23 concludes this section by stating, 'And the land rested from war.' This peace wasn't merely a cessation of fighting; it was the direct result of God's power working through Joshua. The land was secured according to God's word, demonstrating that the ultimate victory belonged to Him.
Understand the original words
laqach · Hebrew Verb
A Hebrew term referring to the act of conquering or seizing possession of territory, people, or objects. In the context of Israel's history, it signifies the fulfillment of God's promise to give the land as an inheritance.
negeb · Hebrew Noun
A geographical term referring to the southern desert region of Judah. Symbolically, it often represents a harsh, dry, or difficult environment in the biblical landscape.
Joshua 11:16 summarizes the comprehensive nature of the conquest, detailing the diverse geographical regions brought under Israelite control. This statement represents the culmination of God's promise through Moses, highlighting a prolonged military effort that secured the land.
c. 1446 BC
Israelites Cross the Jordan River
Led by Joshua, the Israelites crossed the Jordan River and entered the Promised Land, beginning their conquest. This marked the start of their military campaign against the existing inhabitants.
c. 1446-1439 BC
Conquest of Southern Canaan
Joshua led successful campaigns against coalitions of Canaanite kings, starting in the south. This initial phase involved significant victories and the destruction of fortified cities.
c. 1446-1439 BC— this verse
Conquest of Northern Canaan
Following the southern campaigns, Joshua turned north, confronting a large confederation of northern kings led by Jabin of Hazor. This led to decisive battles and the subjugation of northern Canaan.
c. 1439 BC
Destruction of the Anakim
Joshua specifically targeted and destroyed the Anakim, a fearsome people noted for their stature, from various mountainous regions. This was a significant psychological and military victory.
c. 1439 BC
Land Rested from War
After years of intense warfare, the land was largely subdued, and a period of rest from conflict began for the Israelites. This allowed for the subsequent division and inheritance of the land.
c. 1439 BC onwards
Division of the Land
Following the conquest, the land of Canaan was systematically divided among the twelve tribes of Israel according to God's commands. This process continued even after Joshua's lifetime.
This passage foreshadows the gradual conquest of the land, explaining that God would drive out the Canaanites little by little, so that the land wouldn't become overrun with wild animals before the Israelites could inhabit it. This echoes Joshua 11:16's description of taking 'all that land' by highlighting the comprehensive, yet progressive, nature of the conquest.
Psalm 44:3This Psalm celebrates God's mighty acts in bringing Israel into the Promised Land, stating, 'they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm and the light of your face.' This directly supports the understanding of Joshua's conquest, described in Joshua 11:16, as a divine accomplishment, not merely a human military victory.
Joshua 1:3This verse promises that God would give the Israelites every place they set their foot, just as He promised Moses. Joshua 11:16 details the extensive land taken, fulfilling this earlier promise and underscoring the completeness of God's provision for His people.
Judges 1:27-33This passage shows that despite Joshua's comprehensive taking of the land described in Joshua 11:16, some tribes failed to drive out the inhabitants completely. It highlights that while the conquest was extensive, full possession and obedience were ongoing challenges for Israel, offering a nuanced perspective on the completion of the conquest.
calvinJoshua 11:16-23: "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;"
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 favor, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses.
Quia a Jehova fuit, ut induraretcor eorum in occursum belli c…
bensonJoshua 11:16: "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;"
Joshua 11:16 . All that land — Of Canaan, whose parts here follow. The hill — Or, the mountain, that is, the mountainous country, namely, of Judea. A considerable part of Judea was called the hilly or the mountainous country, Luke 1:39 ; Luke 1:65 . The south country — That is, not only the mountain…
This verse isn't just a dry list of conquered territories; it emphasizes that Joshua secured the entirety of the promised land, from its highest mountains to its lowest valleys and plains. This thoroughness reveals that God's promises are not partial but complete, and His faithfulness extends to every aspect of the land He gave His people.
After a series of decisive military campaigns against a coalition of Canaanite kings, Joshua has systematically conquered significant portions of the land. This verse serves as a summary statement, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the victory by listing the diverse geographical regions now under Israelite control. The success here directly leads into the account of eliminating the Anakim and the eventual cessation of major warfare as the land finally finds rest.
After a series of decisive military campaigns against a coalition of Canaanite kings, Joshua has systematically conquered significant portions of the land. This verse serves as a summary statement, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the victory by listing the diverse geographical regions now under Israelite control. The success here directly leads into the account of eliminating the Anakim and the eventual cessation of major warfare as the land finally finds rest.
"So 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 the hill country of Israel and its lowland from Mount Halak, which rises toward Seir, as far as Baal-gad in the…" — This verse isn't just a dry list of conquered territories; it emphasizes that Joshua secured the entirety of the promised land, from its highest mountains to its lowest valleys and plains. This tho…
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