Joshua 24 11

Joshua 24:11 kjv

And you went over Jordan, and came unto Jericho: and the men of Jericho fought against you, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; and I delivered them into your hand.

Joshua 24:11 nkjv

Then you went over the Jordan and came to Jericho. And the men of Jericho fought against you?also the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. But I delivered them into your hand.

Joshua 24:11 niv

"?'Then you crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho. The citizens of Jericho fought against you, as did also the Amorites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, Hivites and Jebusites, but I gave them into your hands.

Joshua 24:11 esv

And you went over the Jordan and came to Jericho, and the leaders of Jericho fought against you, and also the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. And I gave them into your hand.

Joshua 24:11 nlt

"When you crossed the Jordan River and came to Jericho, the men of Jericho fought against you, as did the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. But I gave you victory over them.

Joshua 24 verses

Joshua 24 11 Meaning

Joshua 24:11 encapsulates a crucial segment of Israel's journey in the promised land, recounted by Joshua during his farewell address. It serves as a reminder that after miraculously crossing the Jordan River, Israel confronted the fortified city of Jericho, whose inhabitants, alongside the various Canaanite nations, rose in opposition. This verse underscores God's unfailing leadership and power in enabling Israel to overcome significant geographical and military adversaries, reinforcing the theme that their victories were divinely ordained, not by human might.

Joshua 24 11 Context

Joshua 24 records Joshua's final address to the people of Israel at Shechem, where he calls for a covenant renewal. The entire chapter is a historical recital of God's faithfulness, tracing His acts from Abraham's calling (vv. 2-4) through the deliverance from Egypt (vv. 5-7), the wilderness wanderings, victories over the Amorite kings (vv. 8-10), and finally, the entry into Canaan and conquest of Jericho. Verse 11 specifically marks a pivotal transition: the initial and defining engagement inside the promised land after the miraculous Jordan River crossing. Joshua emphasizes that it was the inhabitants, specifically "the citizens of Jericho" and the subsequent listing of diverse Canaanite nations, who initiated confrontation. This historical review served as the foundation for Joshua's powerful exhortation in verse 14: "Now therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth." It reminded the people of God's sustained intervention and His character as a God who delivers on His promises, despite overwhelming odds against His people.

Joshua 24 11 Word analysis

• And: (וַ) Wa- - A connective particle, linking this action to the previous events recounted by Joshua, particularly the miraculous crossing of the Jordan (v. 10). It signifies a continuation of God's active involvement in Israel's history.
• you: (אַתֶּם) Attem - Refers to the collective "Israel," embodying the descendants present at the covenant renewal and including "your fathers" from previous verses (Josh 24:7, 10). It underscores their shared experience of divine action.
• went over: (תַּעַבְרוּ) Ta'abĕru - The root עָבַר ('avar) means "to cross over," "to pass through." It's the same word used for Israel crossing the Red Sea (Exo 14:21-22). Here, it emphasizes the completion of a major physical and spiritual barrier, demonstrating God's power to overcome obstacles, transforming the Jordan from a natural boundary into a path of entry.
• Jordan: (הַיַּרְדֵּן) Hayyarden - The significant river and boundary. Its miraculous crossing served as a clear sign of God's presence and validation of Joshua's leadership, mirroring the Red Sea miracle and symbolizing the transition from wilderness wandering to possession of the promised land.
• and came: (וַתָּבֹאוּ) Vatavo'u - The root בּוֹא (bo') means "to come," "to enter." This highlights their arrival at the immediate front line of conquest.
• to Jericho: (יְרִיחוֹ) Yeriḥo - The first major city Israel encountered and conquered in Canaan. Its fall (as detailed in Josh 6) was unique, showcasing God's strategic brilliance and demonstrating that the land would be taken not by conventional warfare but by divine might and faithful obedience. It was a primary symbol of pagan strength in Canaan.
• and the citizens: (בַּעֲלֵי) Ba'alei - From the root בַּעַל (ba'al), meaning "master," "owner," "lord," or "possessor." Here, "citizens" conveys their inhabitants and those with authority over Jericho. The use of ba'al is significant as it is also the name of the prominent Canaanite fertility god. This subtly juxtaposes the false "lords" of the land (the inhabitants) with the true Lord, YHWH, who demonstrates His absolute sovereignty by granting their city to Israel. This is an indirect polemic against Canaanite idolatry, showing YHWH's triumph over the local 'baals'.
• of Jericho: (יְרִיחוֹ) Yeriḥo - Reinforces the previous term.
• fought: (וַיִּלָּחֲמוּ) Vayyilḥamû - From the root לָחַם (laḥam) meaning "to fight," "to wage war." This indicates active opposition from the Jericho inhabitants. They did not simply yield; they resisted, confirming the need for divine intervention.
• against you: (בָכֶם) Bakem - Direct address to Israel, indicating they were the targets of this initial aggression.
• the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites: (הָאֱמֹרִי וְהַפְּרִזִּי וְהַכְּנַעֲנִי וְהַחִתִּי וְהַגִּרְגָּשִׁי הַחִוִּי וְהַיְבוּסִי) Ha'Emori vehaPerizzi vehaKena'ani vehaḤitti vehaGirgashi haḤivvi vehaYevusi - This is a list of prominent Canaanite peoples mentioned in relation to the conquest, often seven nations as specified in Exo 3:8. Their inclusion here, immediately after mentioning the "citizens of Jericho," indicates that Jericho was not an isolated incident but part of the broader, ongoing conflict with these powerful groups inhabiting the land, whom God had promised to drive out. Their multitude underscores the overwhelming human odds and, by contrast, the singular divine power.

Words-Group Analysis

• "you went over Jordan and came to Jericho": This phrase details Israel's immediate, post-Jordan, divinely guided entry into the enemy's territory. It signifies God enabling them to traverse a formidable natural obstacle and reach the strategic first stronghold in the Promised Land. This sequence highlights divine purpose and movement towards confrontation.
• "the citizens of Jericho fought against you": This shows the initiation of direct hostilities from the established occupants. The term "citizens" (ba'alei - lords/masters) carries polemical weight, implying that these 'lords' of Jericho asserted their ownership against God's chosen people, setting up the divine showdown for supremacy. This battle was provoked by the inhabitants.
• "the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites": This comprehensive enumeration of the various Canaanite nations serves to emphasize the vast number and formidable nature of the adversaries Israel would face throughout the conquest. Listing them here reinforces that Jericho was but the beginning of God's grand plan to dispossess these inhabitants and fulfill His ancient covenant with Abraham (Gen 15:18-21). It illustrates the seemingly insurmountable odds from a human perspective, thereby magnifying God's future victories.

Joshua 24 11 Bonus Section

• The recounting of past deeds, as seen in Joshua 24, is a common pedagogical and theological device in the Old Testament, aiming to instruct future generations in God's faithfulness (Ps 78, 105).
• The phrase "citizens of Jericho" using ba'alei (lords/owners) subtly challenges the local deities of Canaan. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a city's "lord" often referred to its patron deity, such as Baal. By showing that these "lords" fought and lost, YHWH asserted His supreme sovereignty over all local gods and lands.
• The fall of Jericho served as a prophetic pattern for the conquest of the entire land: seemingly insurmountable obstacles would be overcome by divine means when God's people acted in obedient faith.

Joshua 24 11 Commentary

Joshua 24:11 is a pivotal line in Joshua's historical sermon, serving as a foundational reminder for Israel. After the miraculous Jordan crossing, which undeniably demonstrated God's presence, the people immediately encountered fierce resistance from the formidable inhabitants of Jericho and the surrounding Canaanite nations. Joshua deliberately lists these various groups to underscore the overwhelming strength of the opposition from a human standpoint. This emphasis highlights the truth that Israel's initial victory at Jericho (and subsequent conquests) was not achieved through their military might or strategic prowess, but through God's direct intervention. The citizens of Jericho and the seven nations of Canaan were powerful, well-established peoples, yet YHWH brought them low. This historical recall serves to solidify faith in God's continuous work and His singular role as the divine Warrior for His people, a principle essential for their continued faithfulness and obedience within the covenant.