Joshua 11 3

Joshua 11:3 kjv

And to the Canaanite on the east and on the west, and to the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the mountains, and to the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpeh.

Joshua 11:3 nkjv

to the Canaanites in the east and in the west, the Amorite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Jebusite in the mountains, and the Hivite below Hermon in the land of Mizpah.

Joshua 11:3 niv

to the Canaanites in the east and west; to the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites and Jebusites in the hill country; and to the Hivites below Hermon in the region of Mizpah.

Joshua 11:3 esv

to the Canaanites in the east and the west, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, and the Jebusites in the hill country, and the Hivites under Hermon in the land of Mizpah.

Joshua 11:3 nlt

the kings of Canaan, both east and west; the kings of the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites in the hill country, and the Hivites in the towns on the slopes of Mount Hermon in the land of Mizpah.

Joshua 11 verses

Joshua 11 3 Meaning

Joshua 11:3 describes the specific inhabitants of Canaan who formed a formidable coalition under King Jabin of Hazor against the Israelites during the northern campaign. It lists the Canaanites (eastern and western territories), the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, and Jebusites (in the hill country), and the Hivites (at the foot of Mount Hermon in the land of Mizpah). This detailed enumeration underscores the widespread nature and strategic positioning of the enemy forces, emphasizing the extensive challenge Israel faced and God's comprehensive plan for dispossessing them from the Promised Land.

Joshua 11 3 Context

Joshua 11:3 falls within the account of Israel's conquest of Canaan. Chapter 11 specifically details the northern campaign, which climaxes the main phase of Israel's military activities in the land. Prior to this, Israel had successfully subdued the southern kings (Joshua 10). Upon hearing of Israel's victories, Jabin, the powerful king of Hazor (a prominent city-state in the north), formed a massive, diverse confederacy to resist Israel.

This verse lists the various nations that comprised this alliance. Their diverse geographic origins, from east and west Canaan to the hill country and the far north (Hermon and Mizpah), underscore the broad, concerted effort to oppose God's people. Historically, these groups were distinct ethnic and cultural entities dwelling in the land, representing a wide array of fortified city-states and nomadic tribes. The description of their distribution reflects the reality of Canaan's segmented political landscape. The narrative aims to show that despite such overwhelming and varied opposition, God's promise to give the land to Israel would prevail through Joshua's leadership and divine intervention, resulting in the total defeat of this impressive alliance. These nations were characterized by idol worship and wicked practices, justifying God's righteous judgment upon them through Israel's hand.

Joshua 11 3 Word analysis

• the Canaanites (כְּנַעֲנִי - Kena‘aní): This term broadly refers to the inhabitants of Canaan, often distinguished by their trading and lowland dwelling. Here, distinct from other listed tribes, it likely refers to specific groups residing in the fertile plains and coastal areas, known for their merchant activities and strong city-states.
• in the east and in the west: Specifies the geographical spread of these particular Canaanite groups. This highlights their pervasive presence across the fertile crescent region within Canaan, presenting a significant and broadly distributed challenge.
• the Amorites (אֱמֹרִי - 'Emōrí): Often translated "mountain dweller" or "highlander." They were a powerful, influential people, frequently mentioned as fierce warriors in Mesopotamian and Egyptian records, often holding fortified positions.
• the Hittites (חִתִּי - Chitti): Descendants of Heth, a son of Canaan (Gen 10:15). While a major empire existed to the north in Anatolia, these were likely smaller, dispersed groups or remnants residing in various parts of Canaan. They were associated with mountain regions.
• the Perizzites (פְּרִזִּי - Pərizzî): Meaning "villagers" or "rural dwellers," suggesting they inhabited the unwalled settlements or open country, contrasting with city-dwelling tribes. Their lack of fortified cities didn't mean they were less dangerous or widespread.
• the Jebusites (יְבוּסִי - Yəḇûsî): The specific inhabitants of Jebus, which later became Jerusalem. They were noted for their strong fortress in a strategically challenging mountainous region, which remained unconquered by Israel for centuries after the initial conquest (until David).
• in the hill country: A critical geographical detail, indicating the strategic high ground held by several of these groups (especially Amorites, Hittites, and Jebusites). Conquering these well-defended, elevated positions would require significant divine aid and strategic prowess.
• and the Hivites (חִוִּי - Chivvî): Generally translated "villagers." These groups were often scattered. Notable Hivites include the Gibeonites (Joshua 9), who deceived Israel into a covenant. Here, they are specifically located in the northernmost reaches.
• at the foot of Hermon (חֶרְמוֹן - Ḥermōn): Mount Hermon is a prominent mountain range forming the northern boundary of the Transjordan. This specifies the location of the Hivites, demonstrating the extreme northern extent of the coalition's forces, pushing Israel's campaign further north than previously.
• in the land of Mizpah (מִצְפָּה - Miṣpāh): Meaning "watchtower" or "outlook," this refers to a strategic high point or region. Several places bore this name. Here, it signifies a specific northern area, likely a strategic gathering or lookout point for the Hivite forces and their allies.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "the Canaanites in the east and in the west": This highlights the two primary spheres of the Canaanites: the Sidonian coast (west) and perhaps the eastern Jordan valley regions or territories toward Bashan. It underlines the comprehensive nature of the resistance across the land's breadth.
• "the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites in the hill country": This grouping identifies key tribal groups known for inhabiting the rugged central highlands of Canaan. These areas were typically harder to conquer due to terrain and fortified cities. The collective presence signifies a strong, concentrated opposition in strategic elevation.
• "and the Hivites at the foot of Hermon in the land of Mizpah": This specifies the northernmost participants in the coalition, indicating the widespread nature of Jabin's alliance, drawing forces from the central hill country all the way to the Lebanese border region. It reveals the complete geographical scope of the combined forces Israel had to contend with.

Joshua 11 3 Bonus section

• The naming of specific tribes in specific locations (e.g., Jebusites in the hill country, Hivites at Hermon) emphasizes the precise fulfillment of God's earlier promises and the historical accuracy of the narrative. This isn't a general statement but a historically grounded account.
• The fact that Joshua faces such a formidable, united, and widespread force at this late stage of the conquest highlights that the land was not easily yielded. It portrays the full extent of the "good fight" of faith required of Israel.
• This specific listing serves as a stark reminder of the command to drive out all the inhabitants (Deut 7:1-5; 20:16-18), a command that Israel did not fully heed in later generations (Judges 1, 2). The complete listing here, representing a fully dispossessable enemy by God's power, makes the later partial failures even more pronounced.
• The detailed geographic markers (east/west, hill country, Hermon, Mizpah) not only illustrate the enemy's extensive reach but also point to the thoroughness of God's conquest. No region or people group within His promised inheritance was to be left untouched.

Joshua 11 3 Commentary

Joshua 11:3 is more than a mere geographical or demographic listing; it functions as a critical biblical declaration of the comprehensive challenge Israel faced and God's sovereign hand in victory. The enumeration of these specific peoples—the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, and Hivites—from varied locations underscores the unified, widespread opposition against God's purposes. This confederacy represents the 'remnant' of the resistance in the land, a final and mighty gathering of forces, particularly in the northern regions under the leadership of Hazor. By detailing their spread across the hill country to Mount Hermon, the text vividly portrays the scale of the threat and how strategically embedded these adversaries were. However, the explicit listing implicitly declares God's precise knowledge of the enemy and His assurance of Israel's complete victory over them, fulfilling His covenant promises (Genesis 15). The defeat of such a powerful and diverse alliance would serve as irrefutable proof of Yahweh's unparalleled power and faithfulness, demonstrating that no human coalition, however formidable, can thwart divine decree.