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 11:12KJVWhat 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.