Joshua 11 17

Joshua 11:17 kjv

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.

Joshua 11:17 nkjv

from Mount Halak and the ascent to Seir, even as far as Baal Gad in the Valley of Lebanon below Mount Hermon. He captured all their kings, and struck them down and killed them.

Joshua 11:17 niv

from Mount Halak, which rises toward Seir, to Baal Gad in the Valley of Lebanon below Mount Hermon. He captured all their kings and put them to death.

Joshua 11:17 esv

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.

Joshua 11:17 nlt

The Israelite territory now extended all the way from Mount Halak, which leads up to Seir in the south, as far north as Baal-gad at the foot of Mount Hermon in the valley of Lebanon. Joshua killed all the kings of those territories,

Joshua 11 verses

Joshua 11 17 Meaning

Joshua 11:17 describes the full extent of the Israelite conquest under Joshua's leadership, from the southern boundary marked by Mount Halak near Seir to the northernmost point of Baal-Gad in the Valley of Lebanon, below Mount Hermon. This geographical definition establishes the broad reach of the victory. The verse then details Joshua's decisive action against the regional rulers, stating that he captured, struck down, and put all these kings to death, signifying a thorough and complete triumph in those areas according to the divine command.

Joshua 11 17 Context

Joshua chapter 11 concludes the northern campaign of the Israelite conquest of Canaan. Following the victories in the south (Chapter 10), Joshua moves against the strong confederation of northern kings led by Jabin, king of Hazor, at the waters of Merom. God ensures victory, instructing Joshua to hamstring their horses and burn their chariots (11:6-9), preventing Israel from relying on military might and demonstrating God's sole power. The city of Hazor, a major regional power, is utterly destroyed. Verse 17 thus summarizes the geographical sweep and comprehensive nature of this stage of the conquest, underscoring the decisive defeat of the northern Canaanite powers and their kings, aligning with God's command to possess the land and utterly destroy its inhabitants. This demonstrates a strategic military control over the entire promised land, despite some pockets of resistance remaining (as noted later in Josh 13).

Joshua 11 17 Word analysis

• From Mount Halak: Hebrew `הָהָר הֶחָלָק` (Ha-har he-Chalaq), literally "the smooth mountain" or "the bald mountain." This likely refers to a specific, identifiable geographic feature in the Negev or southern Judean desert, marking the southernmost limit of the campaign's decisive reach. It is a factual landmark signifying the beginning of the territory brought under control.
• which goes up to Seir: Seir (`שֵׂעִיר`) is the mountainous region traditionally associated with Edom. This phrase clarifies Halak's location in relation to this significant and well-known region, indicating that the controlled territory extended up to, but did not trespass upon, the land of Edom, which Israel was forbidden to invade (Deut 2:5). It defines a southern border of influence.
• even as far as Baal-Gad: `בַּעַל גָּד` (Ba'al-Gad), meaning "Lord of Fortune" or "Baal of Fortune." This was a significant Canaanite city located in the valley below Mount Hermon, serving as a prominent northern boundary marker. The name itself highlights the pagan worship prevalent in the land that Israel was conquering and cleansing. Its capture represents the successful pushing of the northern front.
• in the Valley of Lebanon: Referring to the Biqa Valley between the Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon mountain ranges. This fertile and strategically important region emphasizes the wide swathe of land brought under control, signifying control of major northern trade routes and fertile agricultural areas.
• below Mount Hermon: `הַחֶרְמוֹן` (ha-Chermon). A towering, snow-capped mountain range, a highly visible and undeniable landmark forming the absolute northern limit of Canaan. It serves as a natural and powerful identifier of the northern extent of the Israelite conquest. Its inclusion confirms the immense territorial scope achieved.
• And Joshua captured: `וְאֶת־כָּל־מַלְכֵיהֶם לָכַד יְהוֹשֻׁעַ` (w-et-kol-malkeiyhem lakhad Yehoshua'). `Lakhad` (captured/seized) signifies taking possession or apprehending. This action immediately follows the territorial description, transitioning from geographic scope to decisive military action.
• and struck them: `וַיַּכֵּם` (waiyakkem) from the root `נָכָה` (nakah), meaning to strike, smite, beat. This indicates direct combat and inflicted casualties. It implies a violent and successful engagement against their military forces.
• and put them to death: `וַיַּמִתֵם` (waiyammithem), from `מוּת` (muth), to kill/put to death, but specifically in this context implying total destruction, reflecting the divine command of herem (`חרם`), devotion to destruction. This is not mere killing in battle, but a divinely ordained eradication to prevent idolatry and secure the land for Israel's exclusive worship of Yahweh. It highlights the spiritual nature of the conquest.

• Words-Group by words-Group analysis:
  • "from Mount Halak... below Mount Hermon": This phrase precisely defines the north-south geographical scope of the unified conquest under Joshua. It highlights the immense territory, encompassing key strategic points, that God enabled Israel to subdue. The clear demarcation serves as tangible proof of the fulfillment of territorial promises (Gen 15:18, Num 34).
  • "He captured all their kings and struck them and put them to death": This concise tripartite action-verb phrase ("captured," "struck," "put to death") conveys the comprehensive and decisive nature of the victory against the leadership of the Canaanite nations. The sequential nature implies complete subjugation and the ultimate execution of divine judgment upon the kings. The "put to death" or "utterly destroy" implies the fulfillment of herem (Deut 7:2, 20:16-17), signaling that these leaders posed a direct threat to Israel's faithfulness to God and therefore were to be entirely removed. This demonstrates God's victory over the gods and political structures of the land.

Joshua 11 17 Bonus section

The thoroughness implied in Joshua 11:17 and throughout Joshua 11 speaks to God's total victory when His people act in obedience. While some unconquered pockets are mentioned later (Josh 13), this verse marks the effective establishment of Israel's dominance over the region and the cessation of organized Canaanite resistance on a broad scale. It sets the stage for the land distribution and subsequent tribal settlements, highlighting that the hard-fought battles, especially against kings, were essential to securing the inheritance. This summary point can be seen as the "heavy lifting" phase of the conquest being complete.

Joshua 11 17 Commentary

Joshua 11:17 functions as a pivotal summary, demonstrating the extensive and decisive nature of Israel's initial conquest under God's guidance. Geographically, it paints a broad canvas from the very south to the farthest north, confirming that Israel gained strategic control over the breadth of the promised land. The victory was comprehensive, as evinced by the subjugation and eradication of the Canaanite kings. This final act of putting the kings to death (reflecting herem) underscores not only the thoroughness of the military campaign but also its theological significance: it was a divine judgment against wicked nations and a purging of idolatry from the land so that Israel could inherit it solely for the worship of the one true God. This verse therefore affirms God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and His active presence in securing the inheritance for His people, bringing them to a state of strategic peace and initial rest from war (Josh 11:23).