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.

Where else these words appear

“Girgashites” Hebrew H1622 · used in 7 verses

  • Genesis 10:16 And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite,
  • Deuteronomy 7:1 When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou;
  • 1 Chronicles 1:14 The Jebusite also, and the Amorite, and the Girgashite,

“Perizzites” 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 17:15 And Joshua answered them, If thou be a great people, then get thee up to the wood country, and cut down for thyself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the giants, if mount Ephraim be too narrow for thee.

“Hivites” 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 11:19 There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, save the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon: all other they took in battle.

“Jebusites” Hebrew H2983 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 10:16 And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite,
  • Joshua 9:1 And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof;
  • 2 Samuel 24:18 And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite.