And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon, and unto Misrephothmaim, and unto the valley of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left them none remaining.
JOSHUA 11:8KJVWhat does Joshua 11:8 mean?
Joshua 11:8 describes how the LORD gave Israel victory over their enemies, allowing them to defeat and pursue these opposing armies to distant places, leaving none of them remaining. The verse emphasizes the totality of Israel’s victory, mentioning specific locations to show how far the pursuit went.
In this part of the book of Joshua, the narrative tells how Joshua and the Israelites fought against a coalition of northern Canaanite kings. The LORD (Yahweh) is described as actively delivering these enemies into Israel’s power, and the Israelites chase and strike down their foes as far as Great Zidon, Misrephothmaim, and the valley of Mizpeh toward the east. The verse highlights both the completeness of the victory and the fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel.
The Hebrew behind Joshua 11:8
- LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh): This name for God stresses that it is Israel’s covenant God who is acting on their behalf, not just a generic deity.
- Delivered (נָתַן, nathan): This word means to hand over or give into someone’s power. It shows that the victory is not just military skill but is attributed directly to God’s intervention.
- Hand (יָד, yad): In Hebrew, “hand” often symbolizes power or control. Here, it means that Israel had full control over their enemies because of God’s action.
- Chased (רָדַף, radaf): This verb means to pursue or run after. The use of this word shows that the Israelites did not just win a battle but thoroughly pursued their enemies, ensuring none escaped.
Why Joshua 11:8 matters
- Joshua 11:8 clarifies that the victory was not partial or uncertain; it was complete, with none of the enemy left, which fulfills earlier promises made to Israel.
- The mention of specific places like Great Zidon and Misrephothmaim helps readers see the scale of the victory and the geographical spread of the campaign.
- This verse connects to the broader theme in Joshua of God’s faithfulness in giving Israel the land, showing that success comes from God’s direct involvement, not just human effort.