Joshua 11 21

Joshua 11:21 kjv

And at that time came Joshua, and cut off the Anakims from the mountains, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the mountains of Judah, and from all the mountains of Israel: Joshua destroyed them utterly with their cities.

Joshua 11:21 nkjv

And at that time Joshua came and cut off the Anakim from the mountains: from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, from all the mountains of Judah, and from all the mountains of Israel; Joshua utterly destroyed them with their cities.

Joshua 11:21 niv

At that time Joshua went and destroyed the Anakites from the hill country: from Hebron, Debir and Anab, from all the hill country of Judah, and from all the hill country of Israel. Joshua totally destroyed them and their towns.

Joshua 11:21 esv

And Joshua came at that time and cut off the Anakim from the hill country, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the hill country of Judah, and from all the hill country of Israel. Joshua devoted them to destruction with their cities.

Joshua 11:21 nlt

During this period Joshua destroyed all the descendants of Anak, who lived in the hill country of Hebron, Debir, Anab, and the entire hill country of Judah and Israel. He killed them all and completely destroyed their towns.

Joshua 11 verses

Joshua 11 21 Meaning

Joshua 11:21 describes a specific, decisive action taken by Joshua during the conquest of Canaan: the systematic elimination of the Anakim, a formidable people, from key areas of the hill country. This act was a direct fulfillment of God's command for herem, or total destruction, against the wicked inhabitants of the land, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and Israel's obedience under Joshua's leadership. It highlights the physical removal of the most daunting adversaries and their strongholds, crucial for Israel's secure possession of the Promised Land.

Joshua 11 21 Context

Joshua 11:21 appears as part of a summary report of Joshua's military campaigns in Canaan. Chapters 10 and 11 detail the swift and decisive defeat of two major Canaanite coalitions: the southern kings led by the king of Jerusalem, and the northern kings led by Jabin, king of Hazor. This verse specifically concludes the narrative of Israel's conquest by emphasizing the elimination of the Anakim.

Historically, the Anakim were known as descendants of Arba (Jos 14:15), a formidable group feared for their towering stature and perceived invincibility, as demonstrated by the fear they instilled in the Israelite spies decades earlier (Num 13). Their continued presence posed a significant physical and psychological barrier to Israel's full possession of the land.

Culturally, the eradication of the Anakim, along with other Canaanite peoples, was an act of herem (devotion to destruction). This divine command was unique, serving as God's judgment against the profound wickedness and idolatry of these nations (Deut 9:5, Gen 15:16), while also protecting Israel from their corrupting influence and pagan practices (Deut 20:16-18). By "cutting off" the Anakim from these strongholds, Joshua fulfilled God's ancient promise to give Israel the land and secured a major symbolic victory, demonstrating that no human foe, no matter how imposing, could stand against Yahweh.

Joshua 11 21 Word analysis

• At that time (בָּעֵת הַהִיא, baʿêt hahhîʾ): "In that time" or "during that period." Indicates a specific, active phase within the larger conquest, stressing the immediate and purposeful nature of Joshua's action following earlier campaigns. It underscores that this was a concentrated effort, not a protracted struggle.
• Joshua (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ, Yehoshua): "Yahweh is salvation." The leader chosen by God to succeed Moses, divinely empowered to lead Israel into the Promised Land. His name inherently ties his actions to God's saving power and covenant faithfulness.
• went and cut off (וַיַּכְרֵת, vayyakhret): Hiphil imperfect of karat (to cut, to cut off, to destroy). The Hiphil stem indicates a causative action: Joshua caused them to be cut off, or he eliminated them. This term emphasizes a decisive, complete separation or severance from existence within the land, not merely a defeat.
• the Anakim (הָעֲנָקִים, haʿAnaqim): A specific ethno-linguistic group noted for their great stature and perceived strength, instilling fear in Israel (Num 13:33). Their defeat signified the triumph of God's power over human limitation and fear, and removed a key psychological barrier. They were seen as descendants of Arba (Jos 14:15).
• from the hill country (מֵהָהָר, mehhahhar): "From the mountain, from the mountainous region." Refers to the elevated, defensible central highlands of Canaan. Conquering these strategic strongholds underscored the totality of Israel's control.
• from Hebron (מֵחֶבְרוֹן, meChêvrôn): A highly significant city. Anciently called Kiriath-arba, named after the greatest man among the Anakim (Jos 14:15). A burial site for patriarchs, a later Levitical city, and one of the cities of refuge. Its capture was crucial symbolically and militarily, signifying the heartland of Anakim power was subdued.
• from Debir (מִדְּבִר, mīDəvīr): A city southwest of Hebron, originally named Kiriath-sepher, the "city of the book/scribe" (Judg 1:11). Its capture was an important extension of the southern conquest.
• from Anab (מֵעֲנָב, meʿAnâv): Another city in the Judean hill country associated with the Anakim, located south of Hebron. This specifies the reach of Joshua's comprehensive action.
• and from all the hill country of Judah (וּמִכָּל־הַר יְהוּדָה, ûmikkol-har Yehûḏāh): Emphasizes the complete eradication within the territory designated for the tribe of Judah, the primary domain of the Anakim strongholds.
• and from all the hill country of Israel (וּמִכָּל־הַר יִשְׂרָאֵל, ûmikkol-har Yiśrāʾēl): This phrase suggests the full extent of the Anakim’s presence beyond just the Judahite territories, or summarizes the complete coverage of the campaign across the nascent land of Israel, indicating a thorough cleanse. It assures that Anakim dominance was universally broken.
• Joshua devoted them to destruction (יוֹשׁוּעַ הֶחֱרִים אֹתָם, Yôšûaʿ hecherīm ʾōtām): Hiphil perfect of haram (to devote, consecrate, utterly destroy). This is the key term herem. It means setting apart for God, usually by utter destruction. This was not simply warfare but a sacred act of divine judgment and purification. It signified the people were put under a divine ban due to their severe wickedness, to prevent their evil practices from infecting Israel.
• with their cities (וְאֶת־עָרֵיהֶם, wəʾeṯ-ʿārêhem): Emphasizes the totality of the herem command—not just the people but their dwelling places were subject to God's judgment and removed from the land, leaving no operational bases for future reemergence or pagan influence.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "At that time Joshua went and cut off the Anakim": This concise phrase encapsulates a critical, decisive military action commanded by God. It marks the fulfillment of a long-standing fear and a key part of the initial conquest. Joshua is the agent, but the ultimate power is divine.
• "from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the hill country of Judah, and from all the hill country of Israel": This detailed geographical list highlights the comprehensiveness of the Anakim's elimination. It underscores that major strongholds, and by extension, their entire influence across key regions, were systematically targeted and eradicated. This also pre-figures the specific challenges some tribes would face, though here Joshua provides overall relief.
• "Joshua devoted them to destruction with their cities": This pivotal statement signifies the execution of herem, the divine ban. It explains why the Anakim were cut off (as a sacred act of judgment for their wickedness) and what was the extent of that action (total destruction, including their cities), safeguarding Israel from corruption.

Joshua 11 21 Bonus section

• Psychological Victory: The conquest of the Anakim was not just a physical victory, but a profound psychological one. The previous generation, consumed by fear of these "giants," failed to enter the Promised Land (Num 13). Joshua's successful eradication of the Anakim under God's guidance effectively silenced that long-standing fear and demonstrated God's faithful power to overcome all perceived impossibilities for an obedient people.
• Foreshadowing of Caleb: While Joshua extensively "cut off" the Anakim here, verse 22 notes that some remnants survived in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod. This sets the stage for Caleb's heroic, faith-filled request in Joshua 14:12 to take his inheritance in Hebron and completely drive out the remaining Anakim, demonstrating a continuity of faith and commitment to the complete conquest.
• Sovereignty in Conquest: The verse highlights that this extensive conquest, though executed by Joshua, was entirely dependent on God's active hand. The herem command and its thorough execution demonstrate God's sovereign authority over the nations and His unique method for preparing the land for His chosen people, showcasing His righteous judgment on severe human sinfulness.

Joshua 11 21 Commentary

Joshua 11:21 provides a crucial theological and historical summary of Joshua's primary commission: the removal of the major obstacles to Israel's occupation of Canaan. The Anakim, symbolically representing the overwhelming power and fear-inducing adversaries, were definitively dealt with. This act completed a divine mandate that began decades prior when Israel's lack of faith led to their wilderness wandering, primarily due to their fear of these very giants. By "cutting them off" and "devoting them to destruction" (herem), Joshua meticulously carried out God's judgment. This was not mere military conquest but a sacred act of purification and the fulfillment of God's covenant with Abraham. The detailed mention of locations like Hebron, Debir, and Anab signifies that Israel under Joshua tackled the heartland of Anakim strength, securing central and southern Canaan. This total devotion to destruction underscores God's righteousness against profound human depravity and His protective care for Israel's spiritual purity, preventing the assimilation of wicked Canaanite practices into Israel's faith. The verse establishes the stage for the peaceful division of the land and underscores the power of God, who enables His obedient people to overcome the seemingly impossible.