Joshua 10 11

Joshua 10:11 kjv

And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.

Joshua 10:11 nkjv

And it happened, as they fled before Israel and were on the descent of Beth Horon, that the LORD cast down large hailstones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died. There were more who died from the hailstones than the children of Israel killed with the sword.

Joshua 10:11 niv

As they fled before Israel on the road down from Beth Horon to Azekah, the LORD hurled large hailstones down on them, and more of them died from the hail than were killed by the swords of the Israelites.

Joshua 10:11 esv

And as they fled before Israel, while they were going down the ascent of Beth-horon, the LORD threw down large stones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died. There were more who died because of the hailstones than the sons of Israel killed with the sword.

Joshua 10:11 nlt

As the Amorites retreated down the road from Beth-horon, the LORD destroyed them with a terrible hailstorm from heaven that continued until they reached Azekah. The hail killed more of the enemy than the Israelites killed with the sword.

Joshua 10 verses

Joshua 10 11 Meaning

The verse describes a decisive divine intervention during Israel's battle against the confederation of five Amorite kings. As the enemy forces fled down the strategic pass of Bethhoron, the LORD supernaturally hurled extraordinarily large hailstones from the sky. This powerful act of God resulted in more enemy soldiers dying from the divine hailstorm than those slain by the Israelite army's swords, profoundly demonstrating God's direct power and active participation in fighting for His people and securing their victory.

Joshua 10 11 Context

Joshua chapter 10 recounts a critical phase of the Israelite conquest of Canaan: the southern campaign. Following the deceptive treaty with Gibeon (chapter 9), five Amorite kings, led by Adoni-Zedek of Jerusalem, formed an alliance to punish Gibeon for its alliance with Israel. Gibeon appealed to Joshua for help, leading Joshua to march overnight with his forces to their aid. This specific verse (10:11) describes the moment during the subsequent battle and pursuit of the fleeing Amorite coalition. Geographically, the "descent of Bethhoron" was a strategically crucial mountain pass, steep and treacherous, offering limited escape routes. This battle marked a significant turning point, securing control of the central Judean highlands and weakening the southern Canaanite resistance, directly fulfilling God's long-standing promise to grant this land to His people, Israel. Historically and culturally, this event served as a powerful declaration that Yahweh, not the Canaanite storm god Baal, controlled the elements and was the supreme power in the land, capable of using nature itself as an instrument of divine judgment and war.

Joshua 10 11 Word analysis

• And it came to pass: A common biblical narrative device, signifying the unfolding of a significant event often directed by God.
• as they fled: The Amorite armies were already in a state of chaotic retreat, indicative of Israel's initial military success and divine terror striking the enemy.
• from before Israel: Signifies that the enemies were in full flight from the Israelite pursuit, acknowledging the human element of the battle.
• and were in the descent of Bethhoron: Bethhoron (Hebrew: Bet Hhoron, 'house of Horon' – possibly referring to a Canaanite deity or cave god) was a steep, strategically vital mountain pass consisting of an upper and lower town. This location was treacherous for fleeing armies, creating a natural choke point and amplifying the impact of the divine intervention.
• that the LORD: (Hebrew: Yahweh) – Emphatically states that the specific covenant God of Israel was the sole active agent in this supernatural event, not a force of nature or a pagan deity.
• cast down: (Hebrew: hishlich) – Implies an intentional, forceful, and decisive act of hurling or throwing. It was a deliberate divine execution of judgment.
• great stones: (Hebrew: avanîm g'dôlôt) – Initially, the phrase denotes large rocks, but the subsequent phrase clarifies their nature. The emphasis on "great" signifies their unusually large size and lethal impact, going beyond normal hailstones.
• from heaven: (Hebrew: min-hashamayim) – Directly indicates a supernatural origin from God's dwelling place, underscoring His transcendent power and control over cosmic elements, bypassing earthly means.
• upon them: The targeting was precise – exclusively on the fleeing Amorite enemy, demonstrating the selective nature of God's judgment and protection for His people.
• unto Azekah: Specifies the extensive geographical range over which the divine hailstorm wreaked havoc. Azekah was another strategic city in the Shephelah (foothills) towards which the enemy was fleeing, marking the widespread devastation.
• and they died: The immediate and ultimate outcome of the divine action was widespread fatality among the enemies.
• they were more which died with hailstones: A pivotal comparative statement emphasizing the greater effectiveness and casualties inflicted by God's supernatural act than by human warfare.
• than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword: Directly contrasts the divine work with the human effort, unequivocally attributing the overwhelming victory to God, not human might. It safeguards against Israel boasting in its own strength.
• Words-group Analysis:
  • "the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them": This phrase succinctly encapsulates God's direct and powerful supernatural intervention. It showcases divine control over creation used as an instrument of war, far surpassing human capabilities. This action directly refutes the claims of Canaanite gods (like Baal) to control weather.
  • "they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword": This significant comparison explicitly highlights that God's power was the predominant factor in the victory. It prevents any notion that the success was solely a result of Israel's military prowess, reinforcing the theme of divine assistance in the conquest of Canaan.

Joshua 10 11 Bonus section

• The Nature of the "Stones": While specified as "hailstones," the context of "great stones" implies hail of unprecedented size and destructive force, perhaps larger than anything naturally encountered, or even implying the supernaturally sustained density or velocity of ice.
• Complementary Miracle: This event is intrinsically linked to the previous miracle in the chapter where Joshua commanded the sun and moon to stand still (Josh 10:12-14). Together, these two distinct but simultaneous miracles demonstrate God's complete dominion over time, celestial bodies, and earthly elements, all orchestrated to ensure His people's victory. One extended the day, the other annihilated the enemy.
• Theological Significance for Israel: For the original audience, this event cemented their understanding that God was not just with them, but actively fighting for them. This provided reassurance for the conquest ahead and reinforced the idea that their strength was derived from Him, not from themselves.
• Counter-Polemics: The specific nature of the judgment—hail from the sky—served as a direct affront to Canaanite worship, particularly that of Baal, who was revered as the god of storms, rain, and fertility. Yahweh's demonstration of power over these very elements directly challenged and negated Baal's supposed authority.
• Beyond Human Effort: The statement that more died from the hailstones than the sword serves as a permanent biblical reminder that God's power vastly exceeds human might. This principle resonates throughout Scripture, encouraging reliance on God's strength in all battles, whether physical or spiritual.

Joshua 10 11 Commentary

Joshua 10:11 illustrates a powerful and unparalleled divine intervention in Israel's military campaigns. Occurring during a critical pursuit of fleeing Amorite kings, this verse depicts God's active role as the Divine Warrior, fighting on behalf of His covenant people. The extraordinary "great stones from heaven," clarified as hailstones, were not a mere natural phenomenon but a supernaturally precise and lethal act of judgment. This direct intervention by God was so overwhelming that more of the enemy perished by these divine hailstones than by the swords of the Israelite army. This detail is crucial, as it emphatically asserts that the victory was fundamentally God's doing, safeguarding against human pride and giving Him full glory for the success of the conquest. It powerfully demonstrates His absolute sovereignty over creation and His faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to dispossess the wicked inhabitants of Canaan. The event is also a stark polemic against the regional pagan gods, proving Yahweh's unmatched power over weather and warfare.