Joshua 11:12 kjv
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.
Joshua 11:12 nkjv
So all the cities of those kings, and all their kings, Joshua took and struck with the edge of the sword. He utterly destroyed them, as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded.
Joshua 11:12 niv
Joshua took all these royal cities and their kings and put them to the sword. He totally destroyed them, as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded.
Joshua 11:12 esv
And all the cities of those kings, and all their kings, Joshua captured, and struck them with the edge of the sword, devoting them to destruction, just as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded.
Joshua 11:12 nlt
Joshua slaughtered all the other kings and their people, completely destroying them, just as Moses, the servant of the LORD, had commanded.
Joshua 11 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Herem Command | ||
| Deut 7:2 | "you shall utterly destroy them; you shall make no covenant with them..." | Command to utterly destroy Canaanites |
| Deut 20:16-17 | "But in the cities... you shall save alive nothing that breathes, but devote them to complete destruction..." | Specific command for inhabitants of Canaan |
| Exod 23:33 | "They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against me..." | Preventing pagan influence |
| Num 33:55-56 | "But if you do not drive out the inhabitants... then those whom you let remain... will trouble you..." | Consequences of failing to obey Herem |
| Gen 15:16 | "For the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete." | God's righteous timing for judgment |
| Lev 18:24-25 | "Do not defile yourselves... for by all these the nations I am driving out before you have become defiled." | Reason for judgment: Canaanite wickedness |
| Divine Authority & Obedience | ||
| Josh 1:7 | "Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you." | Joshua's charge to obey Moses' law |
| Deut 4:1-2 | "Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes... that you may live and go in and take possession..." | Importance of obedience to commands |
| Josh 21:44-45 | "Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed." | Fulfillment of God's promises |
| Num 27:23 | "And he laid his hands on him and commissioned him, just as the Lord had spoken through Moses." | Joshua's commission by Moses and God |
| Josh 11:15 | "Just as the Lord had commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did." | Emphasizes precise obedience |
| John 14:15 | "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." | Principle of loving obedience |
| Consequences of Sin/Idolatry | ||
| Rom 1:18 | "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men..." | God's judgment against unrighteousness |
| Eph 5:6 | "Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes..." | Consequences of disobedience and immorality |
| Col 3:5-6 | "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you... On account of these the wrath of God is coming." | Call to spiritual cleansing from sin |
| 2 Thess 1:8-9 | "...inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel..." | Future judgment on disobedient |
| Rev 21:8 | "But as for the cowardly, the faithless... their portion will be in the lake that burns..." | Final judgment for wickedness |
| Old Testament Examples of Herem/Judgment | ||
| 1 Sam 15:3 | "Now go and strike Amalek and utterly destroy all that they have..." | Saul's incomplete execution of herem |
| 1 Kin 14:10 | "...I will utterly sweep away from Jeroboam every male, both bond and free..." | Divine judgment against apostate kings |
| New Covenant Spiritual Parallels | ||
| 2 Cor 10:4-5 | "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds." | Spiritual warfare against thoughts and ideas |
| Col 3:8 | "But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, obscene talk..." | Putting to death sinful practices within |
| Gal 5:24 | "And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." | Crucifying the flesh |
Joshua 11 verses
Joshua 11 12 Meaning
Joshua 11:12 recounts the comprehensive and divinely commanded destruction of the cities and kings of the northern coalition during the conquest of Canaan. It specifically emphasizes that Joshua meticulously executed the command for total destruction (herem) given by God through Moses, ensuring the removal of idolatrous influences from the Promised Land as an act of holy judgment and purification.
Joshua 11 12 Context
Joshua chapter 11 details the third and final major campaign of the conquest of Canaan: the war against the northern kings. After conquering the south and central regions, Joshua turns his attention to the formidable northern confederacy led by Jabin, the king of Hazor, a major regional power. The combined forces of these kings were "as numerous as the sand on the seashore" (Josh 11:4). Despite their superior numbers and chariots, the Lord granted Israel a decisive victory at the Waters of Merom. Following this victory, Joshua systematically carried out the divine directive of "herem" (devoting to destruction) on the captured cities and their inhabitants. Verse 12 specifically summarizes this comprehensive act of judgment against the leadership and population of the northern alliance, highlighting that Joshua's actions were not arbitrary but in direct fulfillment of God's commands relayed through Moses. This period marked the effective completion of the military phase of the conquest before the division of the land.
Joshua 11 12 Word analysis
- And all the cities: This phrase emphasizes the completeness and totality of the campaign. It highlights that the destruction was widespread, covering not just one or two major centers, but every city belonging to the confederation. It demonstrates God's judgment against a pervasive culture of sin.
- of those kings: Refers to the specific northern alliance kings mentioned earlier in chapter 11, such as Jabin of Hazor, and other kings from the various tribal territories that formed the confederacy.
- and all their kings: Reiterates the thoroughness of the judgment. It indicates that no king was spared, symbolizing the complete collapse of the pagan leadership structure in the region.
- Joshua captured: Hebrew: לָכַד (lakad), meaning "to grasp," "seize," "take possession of." It signifies Joshua's effective and successful military action under God's empowerment. He was the divinely appointed leader for this task.
- and struck them: Hebrew: הִכָּה (hikkah), a very common verb for striking, smiting, or killing in battle. It describes the physical execution of judgment.
- with the edge of the sword: Hebrew: לְפִי־חֶרֶב (l'phi-ḥerev), literally "according to the mouth of the sword." This is a Hebrew idiom denoting total and decisive slaughter, usually implying no survivors. It signifies a complete military victory and the execution of the divine sentence.
- devoting them to destruction: Hebrew: הֶחֱרִים (heḥĕrim), the Hiphil form of the verb חָרַם (ḥaram). This is the theological term "herem." It means "to utterly destroy," "to devote for destruction," "to consecrate to God for destruction." It is not merely secular warfare or massacre. Instead, it is a ritualistic and divinely commanded act of purification. What is put under herem becomes exclusively God's—either consecrated to Him for holy use or, in this context, dedicated to Him by being destroyed. This served to prevent Israel from adopting the corrupt religious and moral practices of the Canaanites.
- as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded: This phrase provides the ultimate justification and authority for Joshua's actions. It underscores the fact that this was not Joshua's personal vendetta or an act of gratuitous violence, but strict obedience to divine law given through Moses. "Servant of the Lord" (עֶבֶד יְהוָה, 'eved YHWH) is a revered title given to Moses, highlighting his unique role as God's mediator and messenger. This confirms the continuity of God's covenant commands.
Joshua 11 12 Bonus section
The herem command given to Israel for the Canaanites was unique and not a template for all future warfare. It was specifically for the wicked nations in the land God promised, meant to cleanse the land of their deep-seated evil (which included child sacrifice, rampant immorality, and detestable idolatry) and prevent Israel from being corrupted. This concept emphasizes the severity of God's judgment against entrenched sin, the absolute requirement of holiness for His people, and the complete spiritual separation needed from influences that defile His covenant. While difficult for modern understanding, within the ancient Near Eastern context and divine revelation, it signified God's ultimate authority over life and nations, and His uncompromising holiness in establishing a dwelling for His covenant people. It was a testament to the uncompromisable nature of God's truth against spiritual falsehood and moral decay.
Joshua 11 12 Commentary
Joshua 11:12 provides a succinct summary of a crucial phase of the Canaanite conquest. It underlines that the victories were comprehensive, encompassing both cities and their rulers, demonstrating the fulfillment of God's earlier decrees. The act of "devoting them to destruction" (herem) is central to understanding this verse. It wasn't simply a military tactic but a theological necessity—a divinely ordained act of judgment against profound wickedness and a purification of the Promised Land from detestable pagan practices. By utterly destroying what was under herem, Israel acknowledged God's sovereignty over the land and prevented syncretism or the adoption of idolatrous worship. The final phrase, "as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded," firmly anchors Joshua's actions in obedience to God's precise instructions. This validates Joshua's leadership and Israel's faithfulness, showcasing God's righteous judgment against sin and His commitment to establishing His people in a land purified for His glory.