And to the Canaanite on the east and on the west, and to the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the mountains, and to the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpeh.

JOSHUA 11:3KJV
Know the Bible

Joshua 11:3 (KJV)

What does Joshua 11:3 mean?

Joshua 11:3 lists the different groups and regions that were being called together to oppose Israel, mentioning the Canaanites on both the east and west, as well as the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites in the hill country, and the Hivites living near Mount Hermon in the land of Mizpeh. The verse shows the wide range of peoples and locations involved in this alliance against Joshua and the Israelites.

In this verse, the writer is describing the gathering of many different local peoples by the northern Canaanite king, who is summoning allies to fight against Israel’s advance into the land. The mention of specific groups and places highlights how widespread the opposition was, covering both lowlands and mountains, and stretching from the area near the Jordan River to the far north near Mount Hermon.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 11:3

  • כְּנַעֲנִי (Kena‘ani, "Canaanite"): This word refers to the people living in the land of Canaan, but here it is split into those on the "east" (מִזְרָח, mizrach) and "west" (יָם, yam, literally "sea," meaning west), showing the full breadth of the land.
  • הָאֱמֹרִי (ha-Emori, "Amorite"), הַחִתִּי (ha-Chitti, "Hittite"), הַפְּרִזִּי (ha-Perizzi, "Perizzite"), הַיְבוּסִי (ha-Yevusi, "Jebusite"): These names identify distinct groups living in the region, each with their own territories, showing the diversity of the opposition.
  • הַר (har, "mountains"): This word points to the highland regions, emphasizing that some groups lived in the hill country, not just the plains.
  • הַחִוִּי (ha-Chivvi, "Hivite"), חֶרְמוֹן (Chermon, "Hermon"), מִצְפָּה (Mitzpeh, "Mizpeh"): These specify the Hivites’ location under Mount Hermon in the area called Mizpeh, which is in the far north, highlighting the northernmost extent of the alliance.

Why Joshua 11:3 matters

  • Joshua 11:3 makes clear that the opposition to Israel was not just from one group, but a broad coalition covering a wide area, which helps the reader understand the scale of the conflict.
  • The verse connects to the larger story by showing how the conquest of Canaan was not a simple or isolated event, but involved many different peoples and regions uniting against Israel.
  • By naming both the peoples and their locations, Joshua 11:3 emphasizes the thoroughness of the opposition and sets up the significance of Israel’s eventual victory in the following verses.

Where else these words appear

“Hermon” Hebrew H2768 · used in 13 verses

  • Deuteronomy 3:8 And we took at that time out of the hand of the two kings of the Amorites the land that was on this side Jordan, from the river of Arnon unto mount Hermon;
  • Joshua 12:1 Now these are the kings of the land, which the children of Israel smote, and possessed their land on the other side Jordan toward the rising of the sun, from the river Arnon unto mount Hermon, and all the plain on the east:
  • 1 Chronicles 5:23 And the children of the half tribe of Manasseh dwelt in the land: they increased from Bashan unto Baalhermon and Senir, and unto mount Hermon.

“Perizzite” Hebrew H6522 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 13:7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.
  • Exodus 34:11 Observe thou that which I command thee this day: behold, I drive out before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite.
  • Joshua 24:11 And ye 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.

“Hivite” Hebrew H2340 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 10:17 And the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite,
  • Exodus 33:2 And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite:
  • Joshua 12:8 In the mountains, and in the valleys, and in the plains, and in the springs, and in the wilderness, and in the south country; the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites:

“Mizpeh” Hebrew H4709 · used in 31 verses

  • Genesis 31:49 And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.
  • 1 Samuel 7:11 And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Bethcar.
  • Nehemiah 3:19 And next to him repaired Ezer the son of Jeshua, the ruler of Mizpah, another piece over against the going up to the armoury at the turning of the wall.