And I sent the hornet before you, which drave them out from before you, even the two kings of the Amorites; but not with thy sword, nor with thy bow.

JOSHUA 24:12KJV
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Joshua 24:12 (KJV)

What does Joshua 24:12 mean?

Joshua 24:12 describes how God sent a "hornet" ahead of the Israelites to drive out their enemies, specifically the two kings of the Amorites, making it clear that this victory was not achieved by the Israelites' own weapons or strength. The verse emphasizes that God, not human effort, was responsible for their success in taking the land.

In this verse, Joshua is speaking to the gathered tribes of Israel as he recounts God's actions on their behalf. The "hornet" is often understood as a symbol of some kind of divine force or fear that caused the Amorite kings and their people to flee before the Israelites arrived. Joshua is reminding the people that their victories were due to God's intervention, not their own military power.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 24:12

  • "hornet" (צִרְעָה, tsir‘â): This word refers to a stinging insect, likely a hornet or wasp, but here it is often taken symbolically to mean a terror or panic sent by God. This detail highlights that the method God used was unusual and not a typical military tactic.
  • "sent" (שָׁלַח, shalach): This word means "to send," and in this context, it underscores that the action was initiated by God, not by human planning.
  • "out" (גָּרַשׁ, garash): This word means "to drive out" or "expel," making it clear that the Amorites were forced to leave, not simply defeated in battle.
  • "sword" (חֶרֶב, cherev) and "bow" (קֶשֶׁת, qeshet): These words for weapons stress that the Israelites' usual means of fighting were not used, reinforcing the point that victory was by God's means alone.

Why Joshua 24:12 matters

  • Joshua 24:12 clears up any idea that the Israelites conquered the land by their own military skill, highlighting God's direct involvement in their victories.
  • The verse connects to the larger theme of Joshua 24, where Joshua is urging the people to remember and remain loyal to God because of all He has done for them.
  • This verse helps readers see that sometimes God's help comes in unexpected or nontraditional ways, not always through obvious strength or force.

Where else these words appear

“hornet” Hebrew H6880 · used in 3 verses

  • Exodus 23:28 And I will send hornets before thee, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee.
  • Deuteronomy 7:20 Moreover the LORD thy God will send the hornet among them, until they that are left, and hide themselves from thee, be destroyed.

“out” Hebrew H1644 · used in 45 verses

  • Genesis 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
  • Leviticus 21:7 They shall not take a wife that is a whore, or profane; neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband: for he is holy unto his God.
  • 1 Chronicles 17:21 And what one nation in the earth is like thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem to be his own people, to make thee a name of greatness and terribleness, by driving out nations from before thy people, whom thou hast redeemed out of Egypt?

“bow” Hebrew H7198 · used in 74 verses

  • Genesis 9:13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.
  • 2 Chronicles 18:33 And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: therefore he said to his chariot man, Turn thine hand, that thou mayest carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.
  • Isaiah 66:19 And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.

“Amorites” Hebrew H567 · used in 86 verses

  • Genesis 10:16 And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite,
  • Deuteronomy 1:27 And ye murmured in your tents, and said, Because the LORD hated us, he hath brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us.
  • Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.