Question 1

What does Joshua 11:6 mean?

Accepted Answer

Joshua 11:6 records God telling Joshua not to be afraid of the enemy armies, because God will give them into Israel’s hands by the next day, with all the enemy soldiers killed. God also instructs Joshua to cripple the enemy horses and burn their chariots. In this verse, the LORD (God) speaks directly to Joshua, the leader of Israel, as he faces a coalition of enemy kings with large armies and many horses and chariots. God reassures Joshua of victory and gives specific instructions about what to do with the enemy’s military resources, showing that Israel is to rely on God rather than adopting the enemy’s weapons or methods.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind Joshua 11:6

Accepted Answer

"hough" — עָקַר (ʿāqar): This word means to hamstring or cripple. God tells Joshua to permanently disable the enemy horses, preventing Israel from using them for war, which underscores Israel’s dependence on God rather than military technology. "burn" — שָׂרַף (śāraph): This word means to burn or destroy by fire. God commands Joshua to burn the chariots, again making sure Israel does not keep or rely on the enemy’s advanced equipment.

Question 3

Why Joshua 11:6 matters

Accepted Answer

Joshua 11:6 clarifies that Israel’s victory is not due to superior weapons or numbers, but because of God’s direct intervention and promise. The command to destroy the horses and chariots highlights a key theme in Israel’s history: trusting in God rather than military strength or adopting the practices of surrounding nations. This verse connects to the wider story by showing God’s ongoing guidance and reassurance to Joshua, especially when facing overwhelming odds.

Joshua 11:6 (KJV)