And all the cities of those kings, and all the kings of them, did Joshua take, and smote them with the edge of the sword, and he utterly destroyed them, as Moses the servant of the LORD commanded.

JOSHUA 11:12KJV
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Joshua 11:12 (KJV)

What does Joshua 11:12 mean?

Joshua 11:12 describes how Joshua captured all the cities ruled by the defeated kings and struck down both the cities and their rulers with the sword, completely destroying them, just as Moses, the servant of the LORD, had commanded. This verse emphasizes Joshua’s obedience to the instructions given by Moses regarding the conquest of the land.

In the book of Joshua, this moment comes after a series of battles in which the Israelites, led by Joshua, are taking possession of Canaan. The verse highlights Joshua’s role as a faithful leader who follows the commands passed down from Moses, who is called here the servant of the LORD. The focus is on the thoroughness of the conquest and the continuity between Moses’ leadership and Joshua’s actions.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 11:12

  • "Destroyed" (הֶחֱרִים, hecherim): This word means to devote something to destruction, often in the sense of complete removal or annihilation, not just military defeat. It underscores the total nature of what Joshua did to these cities, following a specific command.
  • "Edge" (פֶּה, peh): Literally meaning "mouth," this word is used in the phrase "edge of the sword" to describe the sharp part, emphasizing the violence and finality of the action.
  • "Commanded" (צִוָּה, tzivvah): This word means to order or instruct. Its use here stresses that Joshua’s actions were not arbitrary but were carried out in direct obedience to what Moses had received from the LORD.

Why Joshua 11:12 matters

  • Joshua 11:12 clarifies that Joshua’s destruction of these cities was not a personal decision but was done in strict obedience to the commands given through Moses, connecting his leadership to the earlier instructions from God.
  • The verse emphasizes the complete nature of the conquest, using strong language to show that nothing was left undone, which helps explain the severity of the actions described in the surrounding chapters.
  • This verse ties together the stories of Moses and Joshua, showing that Joshua’s authority and actions are a continuation of Moses’ leadership and God’s earlier promises to Israel.

Where else these words appear

“destroyed” Hebrew H2763 · used in 48 verses

  • Exodus 22:20 He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.
  • Joshua 10:1 Now it came to pass, when Adonizedek king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them;
  • 1 Samuel 15:20 And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.

“take” Hebrew H3920 · used in 112 verses

  • Numbers 21:32 And Moses sent to spy out Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof, and drove out the Amorites that were there.
  • Judges 9:50 Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it.
  • Proverbs 5:22 His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.