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.

JOSHUA 24:11KJV
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Joshua 24:11 (KJV)

What does Joshua 24:11 mean?

Joshua 24:11 describes how the Israelites crossed the Jordan River, arrived at Jericho, and faced opposition from several groups living in the land. The verse states that God delivered these peoples—including the men of Jericho and various Canaanite tribes—into Israel’s power.

In this verse, Joshua is speaking to the gathered Israelites, reminding them of their recent history as they settled in the Promised Land. He lists the specific groups they encountered and overcame, emphasizing that their victories were not by their own strength alone, but because God intervened on their behalf.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 24:11

  • The word "over" (עָבַר, avar) is used for crossing the Jordan River, highlighting a significant transition from wandering to entering the land.
  • "Delivered" (נָתַן, natan) means to give or hand over, stressing that God actively gave these enemies into Israel’s control, not just allowing but causing their victory.
  • The word "hand" (יָד, yad) often symbolizes power or control in Hebrew, so being delivered "into your hand" means being given complete power over these peoples.

Why Joshua 24:11 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Israel’s conquest was not just a military achievement but was understood as an act of God’s intervention and faithfulness to His promises.
  • Listing the specific peoples (Amorites, Perizzites, etc.) shows the breadth of opposition Israel faced and underscores the scale of what was accomplished.
  • Joshua 24:11 connects to the larger speech where Joshua urges the people to remember God’s actions, setting up his call for them to remain faithful in response.