Joshua 11 14

Joshua 11:14 kjv

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.

Joshua 11:14 nkjv

And all the spoil of these cities and the livestock, the children of Israel took as booty for themselves; but they struck every man with the edge of the sword until they had destroyed them, and they left none breathing.

Joshua 11:14 niv

The Israelites carried off for themselves all the plunder and livestock of these cities, but all the people they put to the sword until they completely destroyed them, not sparing anyone that breathed.

Joshua 11:14 esv

And all the spoil of these cities and the livestock, the people of Israel took for their plunder. But every person they struck with the edge of the sword until they had destroyed them, and they did not leave any who breathed.

Joshua 11:14 nlt

And the Israelites took all the plunder and livestock of the ravaged towns for themselves. But they killed all the people, leaving no survivors.

Joshua 11 verses

Joshua 11 14 Meaning

Joshua 11:14 describes the outcome of the Israelites' victory over the northern coalition of kings led by Jabin of Hazor. While they were permitted to take the material wealth, such as the spoil and cattle, for themselves, the core command of God for the destruction of the inhabitants (the herem or "ban") was meticulously executed. Every single human inhabitant of these conquered cities was utterly destroyed by the sword, leaving no one alive. This fulfilled the divine mandate to cleanse the land of the wicked Canaanites.

Joshua 11 14 Context

Joshua chapter 11 details the northern campaign of the Israelite conquest of Canaan. After successfully defeating the southern coalition, Joshua moves north to confront a formidable alliance led by Jabin, king of Hazor, a major regional power. These northern kings gathered with their large forces, including chariots and numerous horses, presenting a significant threat. God instructed Joshua to cripple their chariots and horses, signifying divine victory over seemingly superior military might. Joshua executed these instructions, swiftly attacking them at the Waters of Merom and then moving to destroy their cities, particularly Hazor, which was burned. Verse 14 encapsulates the general policy applied to all the cities conquered in this northern region, reiterating the long-standing divine command (known as herem) regarding the treatment of Canaanite inhabitants and the distinction concerning their material wealth. This command was crucial due to the extreme depravity and idolatrous practices prevalent in Canaanite society, ensuring Israel's holiness and preventing spiritual corruption.

Joshua 11 14 Word analysis

• And all the spoil:

  • Spoil (Hebrew: shalal, שָׁלָל): Refers to the plunder, booty, or valuable possessions captured from a defeated enemy. This explicitly indicates material goods (gold, silver, textiles, household items). Unlike Jericho (Josh 6:21), where all was dedicated to God's destruction or treasury, here Israel was permitted to take these goods for themselves, consistent with the earlier example of Ai (Josh 8:27). This permission shows that the primary focus of the herem was the elimination of the corrupt inhabitants, not a blanket prohibition on all war gains.

• of these cities, and the cattle,

  • Cattle (Hebrew: behemah, בְּהֵמָה): Domesticated animals, an integral part of wealth in ancient societies. Included specifically as part of the permitted plunder. This mirrors the instruction at Ai and further highlights the distinction between human destruction and material appropriation.

• the children of Israel took for a prey unto themselves;

  • Took for a prey unto themselves (Hebrew: bazaz, בָּזַז, "to plunder, take as spoil"): This phrase confirms that the material possessions were acquired for the benefit and personal enrichment of the Israelite army and families. It emphasizes Israel's right to the economic benefits of conquest in this specific context, while strictly adhering to the more severe command regarding human life.

• but every man they smote with the edge of the sword,

  • Every man (Hebrew: ish, אִישׁ): While ish literally means "man" (male), in contexts of total destruction, as seen in Deut 20:16-17, it's understood to encompass all inhabitants without exception.
  • Smote with the edge of the sword (Hebrew: hikku l'phi-ḥerev, הִכּוּ לְפִי-חֶרֶב): A common ancient Near Eastern idiom signifying a total military defeat culminating in the slaughter of all enemy personnel. It literally means "they struck by the mouth of the sword," emphasizing the complete consumption or execution by the blade. This was a direct, violent implementation of God's command for annihilation.

• until they had destroyed them,

  • Destroyed them (Hebrew: hishmidam, הִשְׁמִידָם, from shamad, שָׁמַד): To annihilate, utterly wipe out, exterminate. This term signifies comprehensive and systematic elimination, aligning with the divine judgment against the inhabitants of the land. It denotes that the process was continued until the state of non-existence for the targeted group was achieved.

• neither left they any to breathe.

  • Neither left they any to breathe (Hebrew: lo hish'iru neshamah, לֹא הִשְׁאִירוּ נְשָׁמָה): This is the strongest and most explicit phrase for absolute destruction, emphasizing that not a single living soul was left. Neshamah means "breath" or "living being." This phrase directly echoes the divine command given in Deut 20:16-17, serving as powerful evidence of Israel's complete and faithful obedience to the herem command in this northern campaign. It underscores the severity and totality of the divine judgment enacted through Israel.

Joshua 11 14 Bonus section

The implementation of herem was a unique historical act of divine judgment. It was specifically commanded by God for the conquest of Canaan, given the unprecedented wickedness of its inhabitants, and was not intended as a general precedent for future wars or a model for any nation thereafter. The distinction drawn in this verse between the right to spoil and the command to destroy all life within the cities serves to highlight that the purpose of the herem was primarily about the spiritual cleansing of the land and the execution of divine justice, rather than economic gain for Israel. This strict adherence was crucial for establishing the Mosaic covenant in the land, illustrating God's intolerance for evil and His commitment to His covenant people.

Joshua 11 14 Commentary

Joshua 11:14 stands as a stark testament to the fulfillment of God's specific instructions for the conquest of Canaan. It delineates a critical distinction: the material possessions (spoil and cattle) from these northern cities were taken as Israel's own, a shift from the total destruction mandated at Jericho. However, regarding the inhabitants, the absolute mandate of herem was maintained without compromise. The repeated phrase "smote with the edge of the sword" and the emphatic "neither left they any to breathe" underscore the comprehensive nature of the judgment executed. This was not wanton cruelty or an ordinary act of war, but a specific divine act of judgment against the deeply entrenched sin and idolatry of the Canaanite nations, which had accumulated over centuries (Gen 15:16). God commanded this total annihilation to prevent the pervasive moral and spiritual corruption from infecting Israel, ensuring the purity and distinctiveness of His chosen people. The meticulous obedience of Israel to this severe command highlights their commitment to the Lordship of God and His unique holy warfare.