There was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of Israel: only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, there remained.

JOSHUA 11:22KJV
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Joshua 11:22 (KJV)

What does Joshua 11:22 mean?

Joshua 11:22 states that after Israel’s military campaigns, none of the Anakims—a group known for their great size—remained in the land controlled by the Israelites, except for a few who survived in the cities of Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod. This verse marks the near-complete removal of the Anakims from Israel’s territory, with only isolated survivors in specific Philistine cities.

Joshua 11:22 is part of a summary describing the results of Joshua’s conquests in Canaan. The writer is recounting to the people of Israel how the Anakims, who had once caused fear among the Israelites, were now gone from their land except in a few coastal strongholds. This detail highlights the thoroughness of Israel’s victories and sets up later stories involving these Philistine cities.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 11:22

  • אֲנָקִים (Anakim, ’anaqim): This word refers to a group of people known for their height and strength, often seen as giants. Their removal is significant because they had previously intimidated the Israelites.
  • יָתַר (left, yātar): This word means "to remain" or "to be left over." Its use here emphasizes that the Anakims were almost entirely wiped out, with only a few survivors.
  • שָׁאַר (remained, shā’ar): Closely related to "left," this word also means "to remain" or "to be left." The repetition of this idea underlines the completeness of Israel’s conquest, except for the exceptions named.

Why Joshua 11:22 matters

  • Joshua 11:22 clarifies that the feared Anakims were not completely destroyed but survived in a few Philistine cities, which later become significant in Israel’s history—most notably, Gath is where Goliath comes from.
  • The verse shows the fulfillment of earlier promises and commands about driving out intimidating peoples from the land, addressing the fears that had previously kept Israel from entering Canaan.
  • By naming Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod, Joshua 11:22 connects the conquest narrative to later conflicts with the Philistines, helping readers understand the ongoing challenges Israel would face.

Where else these words appear

“Anakims” Hebrew H6062 · used in 9 verses

  • Deuteronomy 1:28 Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there.
  • Deuteronomy 2:11 Which also were accounted giants, as the Anakims; but the Moabites call them Emims.
  • Joshua 11:21 And at that time came Joshua, and cut off the Anakims from the mountains, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the mountains of Judah, and from all the mountains of Israel: Joshua destroyed them utterly with their cities.

“Ashdod” Hebrew H795 · used in 15 verses

  • Joshua 15:46 From Ekron even unto the sea, all that lay near Ashdod, with their villages:
  • 1 Samuel 5:6 But the hand of the LORD was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with emerods, even Ashdod and the coasts thereof.
  • Jeremiah 25:20 And all the mingled people, and all the kings of the land of Uz, and all the kings of the land of the Philistines, and Ashkelon, and Azzah, and Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod,

“Gaza” Hebrew H5804 · used in 20 verses

  • Genesis 10:19 And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.
  • Judges 16:1 Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there an harlot, and went in unto her.
  • Jeremiah 25:20 And all the mingled people, and all the kings of the land of Uz, and all the kings of the land of the Philistines, and Ashkelon, and Azzah, and Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod,

“Gath” Hebrew H1661 · used in 31 verses

  • 1 Samuel 5:8 They sent therefore and gathered all the lords of the Philistines unto them, and said, What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel? And they answered, Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried about unto Gath. And they carried the ark of the God of Israel about thither.
  • 1 Samuel 27:4 And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him.
  • 1 Chronicles 7:21 And Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son, and Ezer, and Elead, whom the men of Gath that were born in that land slew, because they came down to take away their cattle.