Joshua 17 18

Joshua 17:18 kjv

But the mountain shall be thine; for it is a wood, and thou shalt cut it down: and the outgoings of it shall be thine: for thou shalt drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots, and though they be strong.

Joshua 17:18 nkjv

but the mountain country shall be yours. Although it is wooded, you shall cut it down, and its farthest extent shall be yours; for you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots and are strong."

Joshua 17:18 niv

but the forested hill country as well. Clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours; though the Canaanites have chariots fitted with iron and though they are strong, you can drive them out."

Joshua 17:18 esv

but the hill country shall be yours, for though it is a forest, you shall clear it and possess it to its farthest borders. For you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have chariots of iron, and though they are strong."

Joshua 17:18 nlt

The forests of the hill country will be yours as well. Clear as much of the land as you wish, and take possession of its farthest corners. And you will drive out the Canaanites from the valleys, too, even though they are strong and have iron chariots."

Joshua 17 verses

Joshua 17 18 Meaning

Joshua 17:18 reveals that the assigned mountainous territory, though densely forested and inhabited by strong Canaanites possessing iron chariots, is promised to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. It underscores that this land is fully theirs for the taking, but requires their active labor to clear it and their courage to dispossess the current formidable inhabitants. The verse emphasizes that God's promise of the land stands, yet human effort and obedience are necessary for its realization.

Joshua 17 18 Context

Joshua 17:18 is part of the account of the land distribution among the Israelite tribes. Specifically, it concludes a complaint raised by the Josephites (Ephraim and Manasseh) in Joshua 17:14-16, who felt their assigned territory was insufficient given their large numbers and the challenges presented by the Canaanites and their chariots of iron. Joshua's response throughout this exchange, culminating in verse 18, is not to simply grant more land but to challenge them to fulfill God's command. He highlights that their inheritance requires proactive effort—clearing the dense forests and courageously driving out the well-equipped indigenous populations. Historically, this period marks Israel's transition from wilderness wanderings to settling the Promised Land, facing resistance from well-established peoples and advanced military technologies. The "chariots of iron" represent a formidable military challenge in the Ancient Near East, a common and superior weapon of the time that instilled fear in infantry-based armies. This verse, therefore, moves beyond mere land allocation to a deeper lesson about faith, diligence, and obedience in claiming divine promises amidst significant obstacles.

Joshua 17 18 Word analysis

• But the mountains (הַהַר - ha-har):
  • Literally, "the mountain" or "the hill country." This contrasts with the plains where iron chariots were most effective and where the Canaanites were strongly entrenched.
  • Significance: While often considered difficult or less desirable for immediate settlement compared to plains, mountain regions offered natural defenses and uncultivated resources. It implies a place requiring hard work to transform.
• shall be yours (יִהְיֶה-לָּךְ - yihyeh-lakh):
  • A declarative statement of assured possession. This reiterates the divine promise that the land is unequivocally given to them by God.
  • Significance: Reaffirms the divine decree and the certainty of their inheritance, provided they act.
• for though it is a wooded country (כִּי־יַעַר ה֔וּא - kî-ya’ar hû):
  • "Forest" or "wooded land." Indicates uncultivated, wild, and undeveloped territory.
  • Significance: It implies that the land is theirs, but it requires substantial human labor, clearing, and taming. It highlights that the promise doesn't mean effortless possession but rather a call to diligent work.
• you shall clear it (תְכָרְטֶנּוּ - tekhārtẹnnû from כָרַת - karat):
  • Literally "cut it down." This refers to felling trees and brush to make land suitable for habitation and agriculture.
  • Significance: Emphasizes active participation, initiative, and the expenditure of physical effort to overcome the natural challenge of the dense forest. It is not an act of God alone, but human responsibility.
• and possess its farthest bounds (וְהָיָה לְךָ תֹּצְאֹתָיו - veha’yâ lěk̲ā tōṣ'ōtāyw):
  • "And its farthest limits shall be yours" or "its outputs will be yours."
  • Significance: Implies thoroughness and complete dominion. It signifies not just partial settlement but full occupation and utilization of the territory. It means to push to the very edge of the promised boundaries.
• for you shall drive out (כִּֽי־תְהוֹרִשׁ - kî-tehōrēš):
  • From יָרַשׁ (yarash), meaning "to inherit, dispossess, take possession of." A strong imperative indicating forcible expulsion and seizure.
  • Significance: A direct command and reassurance of their capability. This reflects the divine mandate to remove the inhabitants, a necessary step for their secure and full inheritance.
• the Canaanites (אֶת־הַכְּנַעֲנִי - ’et-hakĕna‘anî):
  • The collective term for the various peoples inhabiting the land of Canaan.
  • Significance: The primary inhabitants Israel was commanded to displace due to their idolatry and wickedness. Their continued presence represented a spiritual and practical threat to Israel's fidelity to God.
• though they have chariots of iron (כִּֽי־רֶכֶב בַּרְזֶל ל֥וֹ - kî-rekhev barzel lô):
  • "Chariots of iron" represents the most advanced and formidable military technology of the age, particularly effective on open ground. Iron was superior to bronze in strength.
  • Significance: This acknowledges the formidable nature of the enemy. It directly addresses the Israelites' fear and complaint from earlier verses. It highlights that success is not dependent on overcoming superior technology by sheer human might, but by divine assistance and faithfulness. It challenges faith over perceived overwhelming power.
• and though they are strong (וְכִי חֲזָקִים הֵֽם - vekhî ḥazaqim hēm):
  • "Strong" (חֲזָקִים - ḥazaqim) describes their overall military and physical prowess.
  • Significance: This reiterates the formidable nature of the adversary, amplifying the challenge. It underscores that God's people are to overcome not just technological superiority but also the intrinsic strength of the enemies, all by divine empowerment.

Words-group analysis:

• "But the mountains shall be yours; for though it is a wooded country, you shall clear it and possess its farthest bounds": This phrase combines divine promise ("shall be yours") with human responsibility and effort ("you shall clear it and possess its farthest bounds"). It indicates that the potential is guaranteed, but the actualization requires work to overcome natural obstacles. The emphasis is on proactive transformation of the granted inheritance.
• "for you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have chariots of iron, and though they are strong": This section connects the promise to the command to dispossess the inhabitants. It acknowledges the overwhelming nature of the opposition ("chariots of iron," "strong") but assures that the driving out will still occur. It shifts the focus from the enemy's perceived strength to God's ultimate power and the Israelites' faith-driven obedience. It’s a challenge to prioritize divine power over visible might.

Joshua 17 18 Bonus section

The mention of "chariots of iron" (רֶכֶב בַּרְזֶל - rekhev barzel) is significant not only as a formidable military asset but also symbolically. In the context of Ancient Near Eastern warfare, chariots represented state-of-the-art military power and were a major psychological deterrent. By specifically naming them, the verse confronts the deepest fear of the Israelites, validating their concern while simultaneously assuring them that these obstacles, no matter how daunting, are not insurmountable for those whom God leads. This situation tests the very foundation of their faith—whether they truly believe God's promise and power outweigh the enemy's visible might. This challenge resonates beyond military conquest, extending to all areas of life where believers face overwhelming odds, urging reliance on divine strength over earthly realities. The task of "clearing the forest" can also be understood as metaphorically representing the removal of internal and external hindrances that prevent full spiritual or material flourishing, requiring sustained effort and discipline. It emphasizes that inheritance is often accessed through intentional work.

Joshua 17 18 Commentary

Joshua 17:18 is a pivotal response to the Josephites' complaint, transforming their grievance into a lesson in faith and diligence. It addresses their perceived limitations—a restricted inheritance and a formidable enemy—by reframing them as opportunities for courage and industriousness. Joshua effectively tells them that the land's uncultivated state and the enemies' advanced weaponry are not barriers to their divine inheritance, but challenges to be overcome through God's strength and their own effort. The command to "clear" the forest signifies that blessings often require proactive labor to be fully realized; divine provision does not negate human responsibility. Similarly, the assurance that they "shall drive out" the powerful Canaanites, despite "chariots of iron," underlines that their ultimate victory relies on God's empowerment rather than their own military prowess. This verse teaches that God gives the inheritance, but the children of God must contend for and cultivate it, trusting in divine enablement against seemingly insurmountable odds. It is a powerful reminder that promised victory is paired with committed participation.