And to the kings that were on the north of the mountains, and of the plains south of Chinneroth, and in the valley, and in the borders of Dor on the west,

JOSHUA 11:2KJV
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Joshua 11:2 (KJV)

What does Joshua 11:2 mean?

Joshua 11:2 lists the kings and regions in northern Canaan who were called together to fight against Israel. The verse names specific areas—north of the mountains, plains south of Chinneroth, the valley, and the borders of Dor on the west—showing the wide alliance forming against Joshua and the Israelites.

This verse is part of a narrative where enemy kings are gathering in response to Israel’s victories. The speaker is the narrator of Joshua, describing how these kings from different geographic regions are uniting. The detailed mention of locations highlights the scale and diversity of the opposition Israel faced in their conquest of Canaan.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 11:2

  • kings (מֶלֶךְ, melek): This word refers to rulers or leaders of city-states. The use of the plural shows that multiple independent leaders are joining forces, not just one nation.
  • north (צָפוֹן, tsafon): This term points to the northern regions of Canaan, emphasizing that the coalition comes from a broad area, not just nearby cities.
  • Chinneroth (כִּנְרוֹת, Kinneroth): This is an ancient name for the area near the Sea of Galilee. Mentioning it helps identify the southern edge of the alliance’s territory.
  • Dor (דּוֹר, Dor): Dor was a coastal city. Its mention, along with "on the west," shows the alliance stretched from inland to the Mediterranean coast.

Why Joshua 11:2 matters

  • Joshua 11:2 shows that Israel’s opponents were not a single group but a coalition from many regions, making the coming battle much more daunting.
  • The verse’s detailed geography helps readers see the scale of the threat and the unity among Canaanite kings against Israel.
  • This list sets up the context for the battles that follow, highlighting the significance of Israel’s eventual victories over such a widespread alliance.

Where else these words appear

“borders” Hebrew H5299 · used in 4 verses

  • Joshua 12:23 The king of Dor in the coast of Dor, one; the king of the nations of Gilgal, one;
  • 1 Kings 4:11 The son of Abinadab, in all the region of Dor; which had Taphath the daughter of Solomon to wife:
  • Isaiah 30:28 And his breath, as an overflowing stream, shall reach to the midst of the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of vanity: and there shall be a bridle in the jaws of the people, causing them to err.

“Dor” Hebrew H1756 · used in 6 verses

  • Joshua 12:23 The king of Dor in the coast of Dor, one; the king of the nations of Gilgal, one;
  • Joshua 17:11 And Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher Bethshean and her towns, and Ibleam and her towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Endor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Taanach and her towns, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns, even three countries.
  • 1 Kings 4:11 The son of Abinadab, in all the region of Dor; which had Taphath the daughter of Solomon to wife:

“Chinneroth” Hebrew H3672 · used in 7 verses

  • Numbers 34:11 And the coast shall go down from Shepham to Riblah, on the east side of Ain; and the border shall descend, and shall reach unto the side of the sea of Chinnereth eastward:
  • Joshua 12:3 And from the plain to the sea of Chinneroth on the east, and unto the sea of the plain, even the salt sea on the east, the way to Bethjeshimoth; and from the south, under Ashdothpisgah:
  • Joshua 19:35 And the fenced cities are Ziddim, Zer, and Hammath, Rakkath, and Chinnereth,

“valley” Hebrew H8219 · used in 19 verses

  • Deuteronomy 1:7 Turn you, and take your journey, and go to the mount of the Amorites, and unto all the places nigh thereunto, in the plain, in the hills, and in the vale, and in the south, and by the sea side, to the land of the Canaanites, and unto Lebanon, unto the great river, the river Euphrates.
  • Judges 1:9 And afterward the children of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites, that dwelt in the mountain, and in the south, and in the valley.
  • 2 Chronicles 28:18 The Philistines also had invaded the cities of the low country, and of the south of Judah, and had taken Bethshemesh, and Ajalon, and Gederoth, and Shocho with the villages thereof, and Timnah with the villages thereof, Gimzo also and the villages thereof: and they dwelt there.