Joshua 11 22

Joshua 11:22 kjv

There was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of Israel: only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, there remained.

Joshua 11:22 nkjv

None of the Anakim were left in the land of the children of Israel; they remained only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod.

Joshua 11:22 niv

No Anakites were left in Israelite territory; only in Gaza, Gath and Ashdod did any survive.

Joshua 11:22 esv

There was none of the Anakim left in the land of the people of Israel. Only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod did some remain.

Joshua 11:22 nlt

None of the descendants of Anak were left in all the land of Israel, though some still remained in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod.

Joshua 11 verses

Joshua 11 22 Meaning

Joshua 11:22 declares a significant achievement in Israel's conquest of Canaan: the nearly complete eradication of the Anakim from the main body of the land inherited by Israel. This formidable, giant-like people, who had previously struck fear into the hearts of the Israelite spies, were dispossessed and their strongholds dismantled. However, the verse also specifies exceptions, noting that remnants of the Anakim survived in three Philistine cities: Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod. This statement serves as both a testament to God's faithfulness in enabling Israel's victory over seemingly insurmountable foes and a foreshadowing of future challenges arising from the incomplete conquest.

Joshua 11 22 Context

Joshua 11:22 follows a climactic section detailing Joshua's conquest of the northern confederation of kings, culminating in the decisive battle at the Waters of Merom and the capture of Hazor (v. 1-15). Specifically, verse 21 highlights Joshua's campaign against the Anakim, detailing how he "cut them off 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." Verse 22 acts as a summarizing statement regarding this formidable people group, declaring their widespread eradication while explicitly listing the Philistine cities where some persisted. This partial completion of the conquest sets the stage for future narratives in Judges, where these remaining inhabitants become thorns in Israel's side, and underscores the ultimate rest for the land described in verse 23. Historically, the Anakim were remnants of the Rephaim, large, feared people, whose defeat was a visible sign of God fulfilling His promise to deliver the land from its inhabitants.

Joshua 11 22 Word analysis

• None (לֹא - lo’): A strong negative particle, emphasizing the completeness of their removal from the specific territories. It points to a profound act of dispossessing the inhabitants.
• of the Anakim (הָעֲנָקִים - ha'anaqim): Refers to a specific race known for their immense stature and formidable strength, often translated as "giants" (from a root possibly meaning "long-necked" or "giants"). They instilled fear, as seen in Num 13:28, 33. Their eradication demonstrates God's power and faithfulness to defeat enemies beyond Israel's human capabilities, contrasting the fearful report of the spies with the victorious reality under Joshua.
• were left (נִשְׁאַר - nish’ar): Passive verb, "remained" or "survived." It signifies their general elimination, indicating the success of Joshua's campaigns.
• in the land (בָּאָרֶץ - ba'aretz): Refers to the main territory allocated to the tribes of Israel as part of their inheritance.
• of the people (לִבְנֵי - livne): Literally "to the sons of" or "for the people of." It highlights that the land belonged to and was designated for the Israelites.
• of Israel (יִשְׂרָאֵל - yisra'el): The chosen nation, inheriting the land promised by God.
• Only (רַק - raq): An emphatic particle introducing an exception or limitation. This single word dramatically shifts the scope from total absence to specific remnants. It serves as a crucial qualification to the preceding statement of complete removal.
• in Gaza (בְּעַזָּה - b’azzah): One of the five major Philistine city-states, located on the southern coast.
• in Gath (בְּגַת - b’gat): Another major Philistine city-state, famed later as the home of Goliath and other giants encountered by David (1 Sam 17:4; 2 Sam 21:18-22).
• and in Ashdod (וּבְאַשְׁדּוֹד - u’v’ashdod): A third major Philistine city-state, also coastal. The listing of these specific cities points to future points of conflict and highlights Israel's incomplete obedience to fully dispossess all inhabitants. These cities remained pagan strongholds.

Words-group analysis:

• "None of the Anakim were left in the land of the people of Israel": This declarative statement asserts a widespread and decisive victory. It emphasizes the near-total destruction or expulsion of the Anakim, a feat that demonstrates divine intervention given their intimidating reputation. It reflects God’s fulfillment of His promise to dispossess the inhabitants of Canaan before His people (Deut 9:1-3).
• "Only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod did some remain": This crucial qualification is pregnant with future implications. It shows that despite major success, the conquest was not absolute, especially in key coastal Philistine cities. This deliberate detailing of exceptions signals that challenges will persist, particularly with the Philistines, setting the stage for centuries of conflict (e.g., in the books of Judges and Samuel) where remnants of these formidable peoples would emerge. The survival of these "giants" in these specific locations underscores both God's allowance and Israel's incomplete obedience, or perhaps a divine plan to leave some nations for future testing of Israel’s faithfulness (Judg 3:1-4).

Joshua 11 22 Bonus section

The Anakim, like the Rephaim, were figures of terror in the ancient Near East, often associated with powerful, mythical, or ancient races. Their presence was a spiritual and psychological barrier for Israel. Their partial destruction meant that a key spiritual lesson for Israel—that God could defeat any foe, no matter how powerful—was powerfully demonstrated, but also that their obedience to fully follow God’s commands was incomplete. This verse subtly contrasts with the idealized total conquest envisioned in Deuteronomy and anticipates the struggles depicted in Judges, illustrating a pattern of divine grace for success mixed with the consequences of human partial obedience. It can be seen as a microcosm of spiritual warfare: significant victories are possible through divine power, but continued vigilance is required against residual strongholds of sin or ungodly influences in a believer’s life or within the community.

Joshua 11 22 Commentary

Joshua 11:22 summarizes a significant victory of the conquest: the Anakim, previously symbols of insurmountable opposition, were largely eradicated from the Israelite heartland. This outcome powerfully reaffirms God's covenant faithfulness and strength over all enemies. Yet, the precise detail of their survival in Philistine cities (Gaza, Gath, Ashdod) transforms a statement of triumph into a subtle harbinger of future trials. This specific failure to achieve total conquest, whether due to lack of faith, insufficient effort, or God's sovereign design, meant that powerful, unredeemed forces would remain strategically positioned to challenge Israel's obedience and peace for generations. This partial eradication serves as a theological marker: it highlights the human element in God's plan, where ideal outcomes are dependent on sustained faith and obedience, contrasting with the absolute victory seen when God fights directly.