Joshua 11:7 kjv
So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom suddenly; and they fell upon them.
Joshua 11:7 nkjv
So Joshua and all the people of war with him came against them suddenly by the waters of Merom, and they attacked them.
Joshua 11:7 niv
So Joshua and his whole army came against them suddenly at the Waters of Merom and attacked them,
Joshua 11:7 esv
So Joshua and all his warriors came suddenly against them by the waters of Merom and fell upon them.
Joshua 11:7 nlt
So Joshua and all his fighting men traveled to the water near Merom and attacked suddenly.
Joshua 11 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 7:23 | But the LORD your God will deliver them over to you, and will throw them into great confusion until they are destroyed. | God ensures enemy destruction and confusion. |
| Deut 9:3 | Understand therefore today that it is the LORD your God who goes over before you as a consuming fire. He will destroy them... | God leads and consumes Israel's enemies. |
| Deut 20:4 | For the LORD your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory. | God fights alongside His people for victory. |
| Josh 10:19 | Do not stand still, but pursue your enemies and strike down their rear; do not allow them to enter their cities, for the LORD your God has delivered them into your hand. | Call for persistent pursuit and total victory. |
| Josh 11:6 | And the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, for tomorrow at this time I will give over all of them, slain, to Israel...” | God promises complete victory before the battle. |
| Josh 11:8 | And the LORD gave them into the hand of Israel, who struck them and pursued them... | Confirmation of God's promise and Israel's success. |
| Josh 11:9 | And Joshua did to them just as the LORD had commanded him... | Joshua's obedience to God's specific commands. |
| Exod 14:14 | The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent. | God's divine intervention on behalf of Israel. |
| Ps 18:37 | I pursued my enemies and overtook them, and did not turn back till they were consumed. | Describes effective pursuit and destruction of foes. |
| Ps 44:3 | For not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but by your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face... | Victory is attributed to God, not human strength. |
| Ps 68:1 | God shall arise; His enemies shall be scattered... | God's rising brings scattering to enemies. |
| Judg 4:1-7 | (Context of Barak and Deborah's victory over Hazor under Jabin) | Parallels of confronting Hazor's might. |
| Isa 30:31-32 | For at the voice of the LORD the Assyrian will be dismayed... | God's voice brings dismay to mighty armies. |
| 1 Sam 7:10 | As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near... But the LORD thundered with a mighty sound... | Divine thunder causes enemy panic and defeat. |
| 2 Chron 14:11 | “O LORD, there is no one like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you...” | Trust in God's unmatched ability to give help. |
| Zech 4:6 | Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. | Victory by God's Spirit, not human strength. |
| Rom 8:31 | If God is for us, who can be against us? | God's alignment with His people ensures triumph. |
| Eph 6:13 | Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day... | Call for readiness in spiritual battle. |
| 1 Cor 10:11 | Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written for our instruction... | Historical events as lessons for believers. |
| Heb 11:30 | By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. | Examples of faith leading to conquest. |
| Matt 10:16 | “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves." | Command for strategic wisdom amidst adversaries. |
| Phil 4:13 | I can do all things through him who strengthens me. | Source of strength for God-given tasks. |
Joshua 11 verses
Joshua 11 7 Meaning
Joshua, accompanied by the unified forces of Israel, launched a sudden and overwhelming assault on the northern confederation of Canaanite kings at the waters of Merom, resulting in a decisive defeat of the enemy. This verse marks the beginning of the northern campaign of the conquest of Canaan, demonstrating Israel's swift execution of God's strategy.
Joshua 11 7 Context
Joshua 11:7 falls within the third major phase of Israel's conquest of Canaan, following the successful central campaign (Jericho, Ai) and southern campaign (against the Gibeonite coalition). This verse details the beginning of the decisive northern campaign, initiated after news reached Jabin, king of Hazor, of Israel's victories. Jabin, leading a formidable coalition described as "many people... like the sand that is on the seashore in multitude, with very many horses and chariots" (Josh 11:4), gathered to resist Israel. Despite the overwhelming enemy numbers and advanced weaponry, the Lord specifically commanded Joshua not to fear (Josh 11:6) and gave specific instructions for the battle, including hamstringing the horses and burning the chariots, which underscored the belief that victory was by divine power, not military might. This battle at Merom was strategically crucial as it aimed to break the power of Hazor, the leading city-state in the northern region.
Joshua 11 7 Word analysis
- So Joshua came (וַיָּבֹא יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, vayavo Yahoshua): Emphasizes Joshua's direct and immediate leadership. It highlights his obedience to God's command (Josh 11:6) to engage the enemy. This proactive movement indicates the swiftness and resolve in executing divine strategy. Joshua's name (transliterated from Hebrew יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, meaning "The Lord is salvation") aligns with his role in delivering God's people.
- and all the people of war with him (וְכָל-עַם הַמִּלְחָמָה עִמּוֹ, v’khol-am hamilchamah immo): Underscores the unity and totality of the Israelite fighting force. This was not a small detachment but the full strength of Israel's military might, moving as one, demonstrating their readiness and commitment to the divinely appointed task of conquest. This unity reflects a people empowered by God's promise.
- against them (אֲלֵיהֶם, aleihem): Points to the direct confrontation with the vast Canaanite coalition. The objective was clear: to engage and overcome the formidable northern alliance, the final major military resistance to Israel's conquest.
- by the waters of Merom (עַל-מֵי מֵרוֹם, ‘al mei Merom): Designates the specific geographical location of the encounter. Merom, likely an elevated plateau or strategic area near a significant water source in upper Galilee, served as the rallying point for the combined Canaanite forces. This was the enemy's chosen position, yet Israel arrived there, indicating a move into enemy territory to meet them. The element of surprise here is crucial.
- suddenly (פֶּתַע, peta‘): A key adverb signifying the abrupt, unexpected nature of Joshua's attack. This swift surprise attack prevented the Canaanite forces from fully deploying their chariots or consolidating their massive numbers effectively. This suddenness was likely a divine strategy given by God to Joshua (implied from Josh 11:6 where God tells him where to meet them "tomorrow at this time").
- and they fell upon them (וַיִּפְּלוּ בָהֶם, vayip’lu vahem): This idiom implies a forceful, decisive, and overwhelming assault. It signifies more than just meeting; it's a "falling upon" or a "pouncing upon" which indicates a complete rout initiated immediately upon encounter. The Israelite attack was swift and impactful, scattering the enemy immediately.
- Word Grouping Analysis:
- "So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him... suddenly; and they fell upon them": This grouping highlights Joshua's immediate and united offensive. The "suddenly" emphasizes the surprise element, leading directly to the overwhelming "fell upon them," showcasing the divine enablement of a swift, decisive victory. It emphasizes initiative, speed, and immediate success.
- "against them by the waters of Merom": This phrase defines the specific hostile encounter at a predetermined, strategic location. It clarifies the target and setting of the engagement, showing that Israel met the enemy head-on in their assembly place.
Joshua 11 7 Bonus section
The battle at the waters of Merom is a pivotal point as it marks the turning of the tide against the formidable northern Canaanite kingdoms. Hazor, mentioned prominently, was considered "the head of all those kingdoms" (Josh 11:10), making its defeat crucial for the total conquest of the land. Joshua's proactive approach of "coming" to the enemy's gathering point, rather than waiting, demonstrates a bold and aggressive military strategy, perfectly aligned with God's directive (Josh 11:6). The "suddenly" implies superior reconnaissance and a forced march, allowing Israel to strike the unsuspecting enemy when they were perhaps not fully prepared for battle or were overconfident due to their numerical advantage. The aftermath of this victory (Josh 11:8-9), including the ham-stringing of horses and burning of chariots, further underscores the theological point that Israel's triumph was by God's hand, ensuring they would not rely on captured pagan military strength for future victories. This event fulfilled God's promise to Abraham and later Moses concerning the possession of the land.
Joshua 11 7 Commentary
Joshua 11:7 captures the moment of truth in the northern conquest campaign, highlighting God's faithfulness and Israel's obedience. Despite facing an overwhelming confederation led by Hazor, possessing advanced chariots and vast numbers (Josh 11:4), Joshua immediately led Israel to confront them as commanded by God. The "suddenly" is pivotal, signifying a critical element of surprise, likely preventing the enemy from effectively utilizing their numerical and technological superiority. This quick and decisive "falling upon" them demonstrates not merely a skirmish, but an immediate, powerful assault that broke the enemy's lines from the outset. This victory at Merom, orchestrated by God and executed by Joshua, solidified Israel's control over Canaan, illustrating that success in divine endeavors comes from swift obedience and trust in God's strategy, not in relying on human might or avoiding formidable challenges.