1
וַיְהִ֕י כִּשְׁמֹ֖עַ יָבִ֣ין מֶֽלֶךְ חָצ֑וֹר וַיִּשְׁלַ֗ח אֶל יוֹבָב֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ מָד֔וֹן וְאֶל מֶ֥לֶךְ שִׁמְר֖וֹן וְאֶל מֶ֥לֶךְ אַכְשָֽׁף
Now when Jabin king of Hazor heard of it, he sent word to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph,
The chapter opens with the same 'and it happened, when X heard' pattern that opened ch.10, signaling a new narrative unit: news of Israel's southern success (or of Hazor's own exposure) reaches Jabin, and the coalition-building begins.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיְהִ֕יand it happenedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (macro-syntactic chapter-opener)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the formulaic 'and it happened' opening a new sceneהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become, happen'; the narrative-opening formula וַיְהִי כִּ... 'and it happened when...' recurs at 10:1, marking a fresh unit.
כִּשְׁמֹ֖עַwhen he heardprep כְּ + Qal inf constr · שָׁמַע (H8085)Temporal clause (subordinate to וַיְהִי)→ Infinitive construct with temporal כְּ: a punctiliar hinge — 'as soon as he heard'שָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, hear report of'; כְּ + infinitive construct forms the standard 'when X heard' formula (cf. 10:1).
יָבִ֣יןJabinproper noun · יָבִין (H2985)Subject of כִּשְׁמֹעַיָבִין (H2985) 'he discerns' (from בִּין); a Hazorite dynastic name — the same name recurs for a later king of Hazor in Judg 4:2, likely a throne-name.
מֶֽלֶךְking ofN m sg constr · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Construct chain (title in apposition to יָבִין)מֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king'; the standard Canaanite city-state royal title used throughout the conquest narratives.
חָצ֑וֹרHazorproper noun · חָצוֹר (H2674)Genitive complement of construct chainחָצוֹר (H2674) 'enclosure, settlement'; per v.10 'formerly the head of all these kingdoms' — the dominant Bronze Age city-state of the north, and Israel's first chariot-power enemy.
וַיִּשְׁלַ֗חand he sentconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative line resumes)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Jabin's decisive response to the reportsשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send'; dispatching messengers/summons to allied kings, initiating the coalition.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking recipientאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the addressee of the sending.
יוֹבָב֙Jobabproper noun · יוֹבָב (H3103)Object of preposition אֶליוֹבָב (H3103), possibly related to יבב 'to cry out'; king of Madon, the first-named ally in the coalition.
מֶ֣לֶךְking ofN m sg constr · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Construct chain (title for יוֹבָב)מֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king'; see v.1 above.
מָד֔וֹןMadonproper noun · מָדוֹן (H4068)Genitive complement of construct chainמָדוֹן (H4068), a Galilean city-state of uncertain location; not attested outside this chapter and its parallel list at 12:19.
וְאֶלand toconj וְ + prep · אֶל (H413)Coordinating conjunction + prepositional phrase (second recipient)וְ coordinates a second summons; אֶל 'to' as above.
מֶ֥לֶךְking ofN m sg constr · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Construct chain (title, second ally)מֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king'; see v.1 above.
שִׁמְר֖וֹןShimronproper noun · שִׁמְרוֹן (H8110)Genitive complement of construct chainשִׁמְרוֹן (H8110), a Galilean royal city, distinct from the Zebulunite town of the same name (19:15); site debated, perhaps Tel Shimron near Nahalal.
וְאֶלand toconj וְ + prep · אֶל (H413)Coordinating conjunction + prepositional phrase (third recipient)וְ coordinates a third summons; אֶל 'to' as above.
מֶ֥לֶךְking ofN m sg constr · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Construct chain (title, third ally)מֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king'; see v.1 above.
אַכְשָֽׁףAchshaphproper noun · אַכְשָׁף (H407)Genitive complement of construct chainאַכְשָׁף (H407), a Canaanite royal city in western Galilee/Asher (cf. 12:20; 19:25); possibly Tell Keisan near Acco.
2
וְֽאֶל הַמְּלָכִ֞ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר מִצְּפ֗וֹן בָּהָ֧ר וּבָעֲרָבָ֛ה נֶ֥גֶב כִּֽנֲר֖וֹת וּבַשְּׁפֵלָ֑ה וּבְנָפ֥וֹת דּ֖וֹר מִיָּֽם
and to the kings who were in the north — in the hill country, in the Arabah south of Chinneroth, in the lowland, and in the heights of Dor on the west —
Syntactically dependent on v.1's main verb, this verse widens the summons from three named kings to an entire relative clause of regional kings, surveying the geography (north, hill country, Arabah, lowland, coastal heights) in a sweeping merism before the ethnic catalogue of v.3.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְֽאֶלand toconj וְ + prep · אֶל (H413)Coordinating conjunction + prepositional phrase (broadened recipients)וְאֶל continues the recipient list of וַיִּשְׁלַח, now widened to a relative clause of regional kings.
הַמְּלָכִ֞יםthe kingsart + N m pl abs · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Object of preposition אֶל (recipients of the summons)מֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king', plural; the article marks a class ('the kings [who were...]') resumed by the following relative clause.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing restrictive clause modifying הַמְּלָכִיםאֲשֶׁר (H834), the invariable relative particle 'who, which, that'; introduces the geographic identification of 'the kings.'
מִצְּפ֗וֹןin the northprep מִן + N f sg constr · צָפוֹן (H6828)Predicate of the relative clause (locative)צָפוֹן (H6828) 'north'; here with מִן functioning locatively ('[who were] in the north') rather than strictly ablative.
בָּהָ֧רin the hill countryprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Locative phrase, coordinate with מִצָּפוֹןהַר (H2022) 'hill country, mountain'; the central highland spine, first of the terrain terms in this geographic sweep.
וּבָעֲרָבָ֛הand in the Arabahconj וְ + prep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · עֲרָבָה (H6160)Locative phrase, coordinateעֲרָבָה (H6160) 'desert plain, rift valley'; the Jordan Valley/Sea of Galilee basin, here 'south of Chinneroth.'
נֶ֥גֶבsouth ofN m sg constr · נֶגֶב (H5045)Construct chain (directional)נֶגֶב (H5045) 'south, Negev'; in construct it functions directionally, 'south of Chinneroth,' rather than naming the Negev region proper.
כִּֽנֲר֖וֹתChinnerothproper noun · כִּנֲרוֹת (H3672)Genitive complement of construct chainכִּנֲרוֹת (H3672), the region/lake later called the Sea of Galilee (כִּנֶּרֶת); the town/district anchoring 'south of Chinneroth.'
וּבַשְּׁפֵלָ֑הand in the lowlandconj וְ + prep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · שְׁפֵלָה (H8219)Locative phrase, coordinateשְׁפֵלָה (H8219) 'lowland, foothills'; the western foothill belt between the coastal plain and the central hill country.
וּבְנָפ֥וֹתand in the heights ofconj וְ + prep בְּ + N f pl constr · נָפָה (H5299)Construct chain, locativeנָפָה (H5299) 'height, region, district'; construct with דּוֹר, 'the heights/districts of Dor,' the coastal district south of Carmel.
דּ֖וֹרDorproper noun · דּוֹר (H1756)Genitive complement of construct chainדּוֹר (H1756), a fortified coastal city south of Mount Carmel (cf. 12:23; 17:11); its king later appears in the coalition of 11:1's counterpart at 12:23.
מִיָּֽםon the westprep מִן + N m sg abs · יָם (H3220)Locative phrase modifying נָפוֹת דּוֹריָם (H3220) 'sea'; used idiomatically for the westward/seaward direction, i.e. Dor's Mediterranean-facing heights.
3
הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙ מִמִּזְרָ֣ח וּמִיָּ֔ם וְהָאֱמֹרִ֧י וְהַחִתִּ֛י וְהַפְּרִזִּ֥י וְהַיְבוּסִ֖י בָּהָ֑ר וְהַֽחִוִּי֙ תַּ֣חַת חֶרְמ֔וֹן בְּאֶ֖רֶץ הַמִּצְפָּֽה
the Canaanite from the east and from the west; the Amorite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the hill country; and the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpah.
The verse pivots from geography (v.2) to ethnography, cataloguing the six/seven-nation roster familiar from Deut 7:1 and Josh 3:10 — cataloguing the peoples of the summoned territory before the muster description of v.4.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙the Canaaniteart + gentilic N m sg abs · כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669)Object of אֶל (understood), first of the nations listכְּנַעֲנִי (H3669) 'Canaanite', gentilic of כְּנַעַן; used collectively (singular for the ethnic group), 'lowlander' by traditional etymology.
מִמִּזְרָ֣חfrom the eastprep מִן + N m sg abs · מִזְרָח (H4217)Locative phrase modifying הַכְּנַעֲנִימִזְרָח (H4217) 'east, sunrise'; the Canaanite is noted on both sides of the land, east and west.
וּמִיָּ֔םand from the westconj וְ + prep מִן + N m sg abs · יָם (H3220)Locative phrase, coordinateיָם (H3220) 'sea', idiomatic for 'west'; paired with מִזְרָח, 'east and west' brackets the whole land.
וְהָאֱמֹרִ֧יand the Amoriteconj וְ + art + gentilic N m sg abs · אֱמֹרִי (H567)Object of אֶל (understood), second nationאֱמֹרִי (H567) 'Amorite'; often used broadly for the highland Canaanite population generally.
וְהַחִתִּ֛יand the Hittiteconj וְ + art + gentilic N m sg abs · חִתִּי (H2850)Object of אֶל (understood), third nationחִתִּי (H2850) 'Hittite'; a Canaanite population group, not to be confused with the Anatolian Hittite empire.
וְהַפְּרִזִּ֥יand the Perizziteconj וְ + art + gentilic N m sg abs · פְּרִזִּי (H6522)Object of אֶל (understood), fourth nationפְּרִזִּי (H6522) 'Perizzite'; possibly 'villager, rural dweller' (from פְּרָזָה 'open country').
וְהַיְבוּסִ֖יand the Jebusiteconj וְ + art + gentilic N m sg abs · יְבוּסִי (H2983)Object of אֶל (understood), fifth nationיְבוּסִי (H2983) 'Jebusite'; the pre-Israelite population of Jerusalem (Jebus), here located 'in the hill country.'
בָּהָ֑רin the hill countryprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Locative phrase modifying the preceding three gentilicsהַר (H2022) 'hill country'; locates Amorite, Hittite, Perizzite, and Jebusite together in the central highlands.
וְהַֽחִוִּי֙and the Hiviteconj וְ + art + gentilic N m sg abs · חִוִּי (H2340)Object of אֶל (understood), sixth nationחִוִּי (H2340) 'Hivite'; located here under Hermon, and identified as Gibeon's population in v.19 — the coalition's lone survivor-city.
תַּ֣חַתunderprep · תַּחַת (H8478)Prepositional phrase, locativeתַּחַת (H8478) 'under, beneath'; locates the Hivite at the foot of Mount Hermon in the far north.
חֶרְמ֔וֹןHermonproper noun · חֶרְמוֹן (H2768)Object of preposition תַּחַתחֶרְמוֹן (H2768), the snow-capped massif marking Israel's far-northern boundary (cf. v.17), from חרם 'ban, sanctuary' or 'consecrated peak.'
בְּאֶ֖רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Construct chain, locativeאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; construct with הַמִּצְפָּה, further specifying the Hivite's northern territory.
הַמִּצְפָּֽהMizpahart + proper noun · מִצְפָּה (H4709)Genitive complement of construct chainמִצְפָּה (H4709) 'watchtower, lookout'; the Mizpah of the Hivite region under Hermon — distinct from the several other Mizpahs in the OT — marking Israel's northeastern frontier.
4
וַיֵּצְא֣וּ הֵ֗ם וְכָל מַֽחֲנֵיהֶם֙ עִמָּ֔ם עַם רָ֕ב כַּח֛וֹל אֲשֶׁ֥ר עַל שְׂפַת הַיָּ֖ם לָרֹ֑ב וְס֥וּס וָרֶ֖כֶב רַב מְאֹֽד
And they went out, they and all their armies with them, a people as numerous as the sand on the seashore, with very many horses and chariots.
The wayyiqtol וַיֵּצְאוּ resumes the narrative main line after the summons catalogue (vv.1-3). The 'sand on the seashore' simile and the explicit note of 'very many horses and chariots' mark this as the largest force Israel has yet faced — its first confrontation with chariot warfare, setting up the anti-armament command of v.6.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַיֵּצְא֣וּand they went outconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative line resumes)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the coalition takes the fieldיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; regularly used for armies marching out to battle.
הֵ֗םtheyindependent pronoun 3mp · הֵם (H1992)Resumptive subject, emphasizing the subject of וַיֵּצְאוּהֵם (H1992) 'they'; emphatic resumption of the subject already in the verb, foregrounding 'they' before the appositional expansion.
וְכָלand allconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain, coordinate subjectכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct with 'their camps,' totalizing the coalition's forces.
מַֽחֲנֵיהֶם֙their camps/armiesN c pl constr + 3mp suffix · מַחֲנֶה (H4264)Genitive complement of construct chain, subjectמַחֲנֶה (H4264) 'camp, army'; plural, each king's contingent, together forming the coalition force.
עִמָּ֔םwith themprep עִם + 3mp suffix (H5973)Prepositional phrase, resumptive/emphaticעִם (H5973) 'with'; reinforces 'they and all their camps' as a unified fighting mass.
עַםa peopleN m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Appositional noun, describing the coalition's numbersעַם (H5971) 'people, troops'; here recast as a single mass, quantified by the following adjective and simile.
רָ֕בnumerousadjective m sg abs · רַב (H7227)Attributive adjective modifying עַםרַב (H7227) 'many, great, numerous'; quantifies the 'people' before the intensifying simile.
כַּח֛וֹלlike the sandprep כְּ + art + N m sg abs · חוֹל (H2344)Simile, modifying עַם רָבחוֹל (H2344) 'sand'; the stock hyperbole for uncountable multitude (cf. Gen 22:17), signaling the coalition's overwhelming apparent strength.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying חוֹלאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'which, that'; introduces the location of the sand ('that is on the seashore').
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase, locativeעַל (H5921) 'on, upon'; locates the sand at the sea's edge.
שְׂפַתthe shore/lip ofN f sg constr · שָׂפָה (H8193)Construct chain, object of עַלשָׂפָה (H8193) 'lip, edge, shore'; construct with הַיָּם, 'the shore of the sea.'
הַיָּ֖םthe seaart + N m sg abs · יָם (H3220)Genitive complement of construct chainיָם (H3220) 'sea'; completes the standard idiom for innumerability.
לָרֹ֑בin abundanceprep לְ + N c sg abs · רֹב (H7230)Adverbial accusative-like phrase reinforcing the simileרֹב (H7230) 'abundance, multitude'; לָרֹב intensifies the preceding simile, 'exceedingly many.'
וְס֥וּסand horsesconj וְ + N m sg abs (collective) · סוּס (H5483)Coordinate subject, appositional to עַםסוּס (H5483) 'horse'; the coalition's cavalry — the note is pointed, since Israel has no horses (cf. Deut 17:16) and will hamstring these (v.6, 9).
וָרֶ֖כֶבand chariotsconj וְ + N m sg abs (collective) · רֶכֶב (H7393)Coordinate subjectרֶכֶב (H7393) 'chariot(ry)'; Israel's first encounter with chariot warfare in Joshua — the technological edge the anti-armament command of v.6 neutralizes.
רַבmanyadjective m sg abs · רַב (H7227)Attributive adjective modifying סוּס וָרֶכֶברַב (H7227) 'many'; see above — intensified further by מְאֹד.
מְאֹֽדveryadverb · מְאֹד (H3966)Adverbial intensifier of רַבמְאֹד (H3966) 'very, exceedingly'; caps the description — 'horses and chariots very many' — the chapter's most explicit note of military technology arrayed against Israel.
5
וַיִּוָּ֣עֲד֔וּ כֹּ֖ל הַמְּלָכִ֣ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה וַיָּבֹ֜אוּ וַיַּחֲנ֤וּ יַחְדָּו֙ אֶל מֵ֣י מֵר֔וֹם לְהִלָּחֵ֖ם עִם יִשְׂרָאֵֽל
And all these kings joined forces, and they came and camped together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel.
Three successive wayyiqtols — assembled, came, camped — trace the coalition's convergence at the waters of Merom before the purpose infinitive 'to fight against Israel' states the shared aim explicitly, closing the introduction and setting the stage for YHWH's oracle in v.6.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיִּוָּ֣עֲד֔וּand they assembledconj וַ + Niphal wayyiqtol 3mp · יָעַד (H3259)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the coalition's formal musterיָעַד (H3259) 'to appoint, meet by appointment'; Niphal 'assembled themselves, met together (by agreement)' — a formal, coordinated mustering, not a chance gathering.
כֹּ֖לallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain, subject of וַיִּוָּעֲדוּכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct with 'these kings,' totalizing the entire summoned coalition.
הַמְּלָכִ֣יםthe kingsart + N m pl abs · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Genitive complement of construct chain, subjectמֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king'; see v.1 — the full roster summoned in vv.1-3 now realized as a single fighting body.
הָאֵ֑לֶּהtheseart + demonstrative pronoun c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַמְּלָכִיםאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; anaphoric, pointing back to the kings named and catalogued in vv.1-3.
וַיָּבֹ֜אוּand they cameconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause, sequential)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, arrive'; the coalition's march to Merom.
וַיַּחֲנ֤וּand they campedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Predicate verb (main clause, sequential)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; the coalition takes up position by the waters of Merom.
יַחְדָּו֙togetheradverb · יַחְדָּו (H3162)Adverbial modifier of וַיַּחֲנוּיַחְדָּו (H3162) 'together, as one'; underscores the unified, single-camp nature of the multi-king coalition.
אֶלatprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase, locative goalאֶל (H413) 'to, at'; marks the destination/site of the encampment.
מֵ֣יthe waters ofN m pl constr · מַיִם (H4325)Construct chain, object of preposition אֶלמַיִם (H4325) 'water(s)'; construct with מֵרוֹם, naming the campaign's decisive battlefield.
מֵר֔וֹםMeromproper noun · מֵרוֹם (H4792)Genitive complement of construct chainמֵרוֹם (H4792) 'height', related to רוּם 'to be high'; site debated, commonly identified with the marshy lake near modern Meiron/Hazor, giving the campaign its name.
לְהִלָּחֵ֖םto fightprep לְ + Niphal inf constr · לָחַם (H3898)Purpose infinitive clause→ Infinitive construct with purpose לְ: states the coalition's aimלָחַם (H3898) 'to fight'; Niphal (reciprocal/reflexive sense) 'to engage in battle'; the coalition's stated purpose, immediately preempted by YHWH's oracle in v.6.
עִםwith/againstprep · עִם (H5973)Prepositional phrase, object of לְהִלָּחֵםעִם (H5973) 'with'; adversative use with a verb of fighting, 'against Israel.'
יִשְׂרָאֵֽלIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Object of preposition עִםיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) 'Israel'; the covenant people, named as the coalition's declared target.
6
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוָ֣ה אֶל יְהוֹשֻׁעַ֮ אַל תִּירָ֣א מִפְּנֵיהֶם֒ כִּֽי מָחָ֞ר כָּעֵ֣ת הַזֹּ֗את אָנֹכִ֞י נֹתֵ֧ן אֶת כֻּלָּ֛ם חֲלָלִ֖ים לִפְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל אֶת סוּסֵיהֶ֣ם תְּעַקֵּ֔ר וְאֶת מַרְכְּבֹתֵיהֶ֖ם תִּשְׂרֹ֥ף בָּאֵֽשׁ
And YHWH said to Joshua, 'Do not be afraid of them, for tomorrow at this time I will give all of them up slain before Israel. You shall hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire.'
YHWH's oracle answers the ominous muster of vv.4-5 point for point: the numberless horde will be handed over 'slain' by tomorrow, and the very horses and chariots just called 'very many' become objects of a ban on Israelite appropriation — hamstring, don't keep; burn, don't capture — anticipating Deut 17:16's royal prohibition on multiplying horses, applied here at Israel's first contact with chariot warfare.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶרand he saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause), introduces direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the decisive divine word before battleאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces YHWH's oracle, structurally parallel to the pre-battle assurances given before Jericho and Ai.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶריְהוָה (H3068), Israel's covenant God, from הָיָה 'to be'; the direct speaker, guaranteeing tomorrow's outcome before the battle is fought.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to'; marks Joshua as the recipient of the oracle.
יְהוֹשֻׁעַ֮Joshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Object of preposition אֶליְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091) 'YHWH is salvation'; Moses' successor and commander, addressed directly as at Jericho (6:2) and Ai (8:1).
אַלdo notnegative particle (volitional) · אַל (H408)Negates the following jussive/imperfect (prohibition)אַל (H408), the negative used with jussive/volitional forms (contrast לֹא for plain fact); here forming the classic pre-battle 'do not fear' formula (cf. 8:1; 10:8).
תִּירָ֣אyou shall fearQal jussive 2ms · יָרֵא (H3372)Predicate verb of prohibition (with אַל)→ Volitional (prohibitive): a direct command not to fear, grounded in the guarantee that followsיָרֵא (H3372) 'to fear'; the standard pre-battle reassurance formula, echoing 8:1, 10:8, and ultimately Deut 20:1-4.
מִפְּנֵיהֶם֒of themprep מִן + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440) + 3mp suffixPrepositional phrase, object of תִּירָאפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; מִפְּנֵי idiomatically 'because of, from before' — 'do not fear [because of] them,' i.e. the massed coalition of v.4.
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the ground for the prohibitionכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces YHWH's guarantee that grounds the command not to fear.
מָחָ֞רtomorrowN m sg abs (adverbial) · מָחָר (H4279)Adverbial time expressionמָחָר (H4279) 'tomorrow'; sets a precise, imminent timeframe for the promised victory.
כָּעֵ֣תat the timeprep כְּ + art + N c sg abs · עֵת (H6256)Adverbial time expression, coordinate with מָחָרעֵת (H6256) 'time'; כָּעֵת הַזֹּאת 'at this (same) time [tomorrow]' pins down the hour of victory as precisely as the day.
הַזֹּ֗אתthisart + demonstrative pronoun f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Attributive demonstrative modifying עֵתזֹאת (H2063) 'this'; completes the precise temporal marker 'this time [tomorrow].'
אָנֹכִ֞יIindependent pronoun 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Emphatic subject of נֹתֵןאָנֹכִי (H595) 'I'; the emphatic first-person pronoun stresses that YHWH himself, not Israel's arms, secures the victory.
נֹתֵ֧ןam givingQal participle m sg abs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate participle (main clause), vivid present-future→ Participle: a certain, near-present future — the outcome is as good as accomplishedנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the participle expresses imminent certainty — YHWH is already, as it were, handing the enemy over.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking a definite direct object; untranslated in English.
כֻּלָּ֛םall of themN m sg constr + 3mp suffix · כֹּל (H3605)Direct object of נֹתֵןכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; totalizes the enemy coalition as the object of the giving.
חֲלָלִ֖יםslainadjective m pl abs (substantival) · חָלָל (H2491)Predicate accusative complement of the object כֻּלָּםחָלָל (H2491) 'pierced, slain'; the outcome is stated as already accomplished — 'I am giving them, [as] slain.'
לִפְנֵ֣יbeforeprep לְ + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phrase modifying חֲלָלִיםפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; לִפְנֵי 'before, in the presence of' — Israel will see the enemy fall before them.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Object of preposition לִפְנֵייִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); see v.5 above.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker, fronted before its verb for emphasisאֵת (H853); marks סוּסֵיהֶם as the object, fronted ahead of the verb תְּעַקֵּר for emphasis on the horses specifically.
סוּסֵיהֶ֣םtheir horsesN m pl constr + 3mp suffix · סוּס (H5483)Fronted direct object of תְּעַקֵּרסוּס (H5483) 'horse'; the very animals noted 'very many' in v.4 — Israel is commanded to cripple, not capture or keep, them (cf. Deut 17:16).
תְּעַקֵּ֔רyou shall hamstringPiel imperfect 2ms · עָקַר (H6131)Predicate verb, imperatival future (command)→ Yiqtol/imperfect with imperatival force: a binding command, not a mere prediction — 'you shall/must hamstring'עָקַר (H6131) 'to uproot'; Piel 'to hamstring, hock' (sever the leg tendons), permanently disabling war-horses without profiting from them — the chapter's anti-armament theology in a single verb.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker, fronted (second command)וְ joins the second command; אֵת marks מַרְכְּבֹתֵיהֶם, again fronted for emphasis.
מַרְכְּבֹתֵיהֶ֖םtheir chariotsN f pl constr + 3mp suffix · מֶרְכָּבָה (H4818)Fronted direct object of תִּשְׂרֹףמֶרְכָּבָה (H4818) 'chariot'; likewise to be destroyed by fire rather than absorbed into Israel's arsenal.
תִּשְׂרֹ֥ףyou shall burnQal imperfect 2ms · שָׂרַף (H8313)Predicate verb, imperatival future (command)→ Yiqtol/imperfect with imperatival force: a binding commandשָׂרַף (H8313) 'to burn'; total destruction of the chariots by fire, denying the coalition's technological advantage to either side.
בָּאֵֽשׁwith fireprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Instrumental prepositional phrase modifying תִּשְׂרֹףאֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'; the instrument of the chariots' destruction, repeated at v.9's fulfillment.
7
וַיָּבֹ֣א יְהוֹשֻׁ֡עַ וְכָל עַם֩ הַמִּלְחָמָ֨ה עִמּ֧וֹ עֲלֵיהֶ֛ם עַל מֵ֥י מֵר֖וֹם פִּתְאֹ֑ם וַֽיִּפְּל֖וּ בָּהֶֽם
And Joshua came, with all the fighting force, against them by the waters of Merom, suddenly, and they fell upon them.
פִּתְאֹם 'suddenly' signals a forced march and surprise attack, on the model of the night march to Gibeon in 10:9 — Israel closes the distance and strikes before the coalition can deploy its numeric and chariot advantage, fulfilling the certainty of YHWH's oracle in v.6.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיָּבֹ֣אand he cameconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבּוֹא (H935) 'to come'; Joshua's arrival at the coalition's camp, mirroring their own arrival in v.5.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֡עַJoshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject of וַיָּבֹאיְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091); see v.6.
וְכָלand allconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain, coordinate subjectכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct with 'the people of war,' totalizing Israel's fighting force.
עַם֩the people ofN m sg constr · עַם (H5971)Construct chain, subjectעַם (H5971) 'people'; construct with 'war,' i.e. the fighting men/army.
הַמִּלְחָמָ֨הthe warart + N f sg abs · מִלְחָמָה (H4421)Genitive complement of construct chainמִלְחָמָה (H4421) 'war, battle'; 'people of war' is the standard idiom for the army/warriors as opposed to noncombatants.
עִמּ֧וֹwith himprep עִם + 3ms suffix (H5973)Prepositional phrase, accompanimentעִם (H5973) 'with'; the army accompanies Joshua.
עֲלֵיהֶ֛םagainst themprep עַל + 3mp suffix (H5921)Prepositional phrase, adversative, object of implied approachעַל (H5921) 'against, upon'; targets the coalition camped at Merom.
עַלatprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase, locativeעַל (H5921) 'at, by'; locates the assault at the waters of Merom.
מֵ֥יthe waters ofN m pl constr · מַיִם (H4325)Construct chain, object of preposition עַלמַיִם (H4325); see v.5.
מֵר֖וֹםMeromproper noun · מֵרוֹם (H4792)Genitive complement of construct chainמֵרוֹם (H4792); see v.5.
פִּתְאֹ֑םsuddenlyadverb · פִּתְאֹם (H6597)Adverbial modifier of the assaultפִּתְאֹם (H6597) 'suddenly'; signals a surprise attack, likely after a forced march, on the pattern of the night march to Gibeon (10:9).
וַֽיִּפְּל֖וּand they fellconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָפַל (H5307)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the attack landsנָפַל (H5307) 'to fall'; here 'to fall upon' in the sense of attacking/assaulting, the decisive strike.
בָּהֶֽםupon themprep בְּ + 3mp suffixPrepositional phrase, object of וַיִּפְּלוּבְּ 'in, upon'; idiomatic with נָפַל, 'to fall upon' = to attack suddenly.
8
וַיִּתְּנֵ֨ם יְהוָ֥ה בְּיַֽד יִשְׂרָאֵל֮ וַיַּכּוּם֒ וַֽיִּרְדְּפ֞וּם עַד צִיד֣וֹן רַבָּ֗ה וְעַד֙ מִשְׂרְפ֣וֹת מַ֔יִם וְעַד בִּקְעַ֥ת מִצְפֶּ֖ה מִזְרָ֑חָה וַיַּכֻּ֕ם עַד בִּלְתִּ֥י הִשְׁאִֽיר לָהֶ֖ם שָׂרִֽיד
And YHWH gave them into the hand of Israel, and they struck them down and pursued them as far as great Sidon, and as far as Misrephoth-maim, and as far as the valley of Mizpeh eastward; they struck them until no survivor was left to them.
A chain of wayyiqtols — gave, struck, pursued, struck again — narrates a rout carried far beyond the battlefield: northwest to Great Sidon on the Phoenician coast, and northeast toward the valley of Mizpeh, covering nearly the full breadth of the northern theater and fulfilling YHWH's promise of v.6 with the emphatic 'no survivor left.'
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וַיִּתְּנֵ֨םand he gave themconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָתַן (H5414) + 3mp suffixPredicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the oracle of v.6 realizedנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; here the standard holy-war formula 'YHWH gave [the enemy] into the hand of' — the theological cause named before the human action that follows.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיִּתְּנֵםיְהוָה (H3068); see v.6 — the true agent of the victory, named before the army's own strikes and pursuit.
בְּיַֽדinto the hand ofprep בְּ + N c sg constr · יָד (H3027)Construct chain, locative/instrumentalיָד (H3027) 'hand'; בְּיַד 'into the hand/power of' is the classic holy-war handing-over formula.
יִשְׂרָאֵל֮Israelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); see v.5.
וַיַּכּוּם֒and they struck themconj וַ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · נָכָה (H5221) + 3mp suffixPredicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Israel's action follows YHWH's givingנָכָה (H5221) 'to strike, smite'; Hiphil, the standard verb of battle-slaughter throughout the conquest narrative.
וַֽיִּרְדְּפ֞וּםand they pursued themconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · רָדַף (H7291) + 3mp suffixPredicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the rout is pressed to completionרָדַף (H7291) 'to pursue'; the chase carries the battle far beyond the initial engagement site.
עַדas far asprep · עַד (H5704)Prepositional phrase, spatial extentעַד (H5704) 'as far as, until'; marks the northwestern extent of the pursuit.
צִיד֣וֹןSidonproper noun · צִידוֹן (H6721)Object of preposition עַדצִידוֹן (H6721), the great Phoenician port city on the Mediterranean coast; marks the far northwestern limit of the rout, well outside Israel's later settled territory.
רַבָּ֗הgreatadjective f sg abs · רַב (H7227)Attributive adjective modifying צִידוֹןרַב (H7227) 'great, major'; distinguishes 'Great Sidon' as the metropolis (cf. 19:28), underscoring the sheer distance of the pursuit.
וְעַד֙and as far asconj וְ + prep · עַד (H5704)Prepositional phrase, coordinate spatial extentעַד (H5704); introduces a second limit of pursuit.
מִשְׂרְפ֣וֹתMisrephoth-proper noun (first element) · מִשְׂרְפוֹת (H4956)Object of preposition עַד (compound place-name, first element)מִשְׂרְפוֹת (H4956), from שָׂרַף 'to burn' — 'burnings'; the OSHB scaffold splits the compound toponym מִשְׂרְפוֹת מַיִם ('Misrephoth-maim') into two lemma-tagged words sharing one Strong's number, a segmentation artifact rather than two places.
מַ֔יִם-maimproper noun (second element) · מַיִם (H4956)Object of preposition עַד (compound place-name, second element)מַיִם 'waters'; together 'Misrephoth-maim,' likely the coastal springs south of Rosh HaNiqra (Ras en-Naqura), a natural western terminus of the pursuit.
וְעַדand as far asconj וְ + prep · עַד (H5704)Prepositional phrase, coordinate spatial extentעַד (H5704); introduces a third limit of pursuit, in the opposite (eastern) direction.
בִּקְעַ֥תthe valley ofN f sg constr · בִּקְעָה (H1237)Construct chain, object of preposition עַדבִּקְעָה (H1237) 'valley, plain'; construct with מִצְפֶּה, marking the campaign's eastward reach.
מִצְפֶּ֖הMizpehproper noun · מִצְפֶּה (H4708)Genitive complement of construct chainמִצְפֶּה (H4708) 'watchtower'; here the eastern valley (likely the Beqaa near Hermon), distinct from the Mizpah of v.3.
מִזְרָ֑חָהeastwardN m sg abs + directional ה suffix · מִזְרָח (H4217)Adverbial directional modifier of בִּקְעַת מִצְפֶּהמִזְרָח (H4217) 'east'; the directional suffix ה marks motion/orientation toward the east, completing the two-front pursuit (west to Sidon, east to Mizpeh).
וַיַּכֻּ֕םand they struck themconj וַ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · נָכָה (H5221) + 3mp suffixPredicate verb (main clause), resumptive summary strike→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — repeats and intensifies the striking already notedנָכָה (H5221); the repetition (cf. word 5 above) frames the whole pursuit as sustained slaughter, not a single blow.
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Prepositional phrase, resultativeעַד (H5704) 'until'; here marking the result of the striking rather than a spatial limit.
בִּלְתִּ֥יnotnegative particle · בִּלְתִּי (H1115)Negates הִשְׁאִיר within עַד בִּלְתִּי clause ('until not leaving')בִּלְתִּי (H1115) 'not, without'; עַד בִּלְתִּי + infinitive-like clause, 'until there was not left.'
הִשְׁאִֽירhe leftHiphil perfect 3ms · שָׁאַר (H7604)Predicate verb of the עַד בִּלְתִּי result clause→ Perfective: a completed, total result — nothing whatsoever remainedשָׁאַר (H7604) 'to remain'; Hiphil 'to leave (a remainder)'; negated here for total annihilation of the pursued force.
לָהֶ֖םto themprep לְ + 3mp suffixPrepositional phrase, dative of the enemyלְ 'to, for'; refers back to the fleeing coalition — 'left to them [i.e. among them].'
שָׂרִֽידa survivorN m sg abs · שָׂרִיד (H8300)Direct object of הִשְׁאִירשָׂרִיד (H8300) 'survivor, remnant'; total defeat — 'no survivor left to them' — echoing the ban language used against Jericho and Ai.
9
וַיַּ֤עַשׂ לָהֶם֙ יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר אָֽמַר ל֖וֹ יְהוָ֑ה אֶת סוּסֵיהֶ֣ם עִקֵּ֔ר וְאֶת מַרְכְּבֹתֵיהֶ֖ם שָׂרַ֥ף בָּאֵֽשׁ
And Joshua did to them just as YHWH had told him: their horses he hamstrung, and their chariots he burned with fire.
A tight fulfillment report closes the Merom episode, echoing v.6's command almost word for word (עִקֵּר/תְּעַקֵּר; שָׂרַף/תִּשְׂרֹף) — obedience is total and immediate, foreshadowing the same command-fulfillment pattern that structures v.15's summary of the whole campaign.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיַּ֤עַשׂand he didconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — obedience narrated immediatelyעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; the fulfillment verb, matched by כַּאֲשֶׁר אָמַר, the compliance formula recurring at v.15.
לָהֶם֙to themprep לְ + 3mp suffixPrepositional phrase, dative referring to the enemy's horses/chariotsלְ 'to, for'; refers to the defeated coalition whose animals/equipment are now Joshua's to deal with.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַJoshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject of וַיַּעַשׂיְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091); see v.6 — the recipient of the command now shown as its executor.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥רjust asprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative conjunction introducing the fulfillment clauseכַּאֲשֶׁר 'just as'; the standard command-fulfillment conjunction, here and at v.12, v.15 (twice), and v.20.
אָֽמַרhe had saidQal perfect 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb of the comparative clause→ Perfective: an antecedent, completed act of speech — YHWH's prior commandאָמַר (H559); refers back to the imperative-force oracle of v.6.
ל֖וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms suffixPrepositional phrase, dative object of אָמַרלְ 'to'; refers to Joshua as recipient of the oracle.
יְהוָ֑הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of אָמַריְהוָה (H3068); see v.6.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker, fronted before its verbאֵת; marks סוּסֵיהֶם as object, fronted for emphasis, matching the fronting in v.6.
סוּסֵיהֶ֣םtheir horsesN m pl constr + 3mp suffix · סוּס (H5483)Fronted direct object of עִקֵּרסוּס (H5483); see v.6 — the command's object now realized as fact.
עִקֵּ֔רhe hamstrungPiel perfect 3ms · עָקַר (H6131)Predicate verb (main clause), fulfillment of v.6's command→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act — the command carried out exactlyעָקַר (H6131); see v.6 — Piel perfect narrates the command's execution as accomplished fact.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker, fronted (second fulfillment)וְ joins the second fulfilled command; אֵת marks מַרְכְּבֹתֵיהֶם, fronted.
מַרְכְּבֹתֵיהֶ֖םtheir chariotsN f pl constr + 3mp suffix · מֶרְכָּבָה (H4818)Fronted direct object of שָׂרַףמֶרְכָּבָה (H4818); see v.6.
שָׂרַ֥ףhe burnedQal perfect 3ms · שָׂרַף (H8313)Predicate verb (main clause), fulfillment of v.6's command→ Perfective: a completed, decisive actשָׂרַף (H8313); see v.6.
בָּאֵֽשׁwith fireprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Instrumental prepositional phrase modifying שָׂרַףאֵשׁ (H784); see v.6.
10
וַיָּ֨שָׁב יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ בָּעֵ֤ת הַהִיא֙ וַיִּלְכֹּ֣ד אֶת חָצ֔וֹר וְאֶת מַלְכָּ֖הּ הִכָּ֣ה בֶחָ֑רֶב כִּֽי חָצ֣וֹר לְפָנִ֔ים הִ֕יא רֹ֖אשׁ כָּל הַמַּמְלָכ֥וֹת הָאֵֽלֶּה
And Joshua turned back at that time and captured Hazor, and its king he struck with the sword — for Hazor had formerly been the head of all these kingdoms.
Having routed the field army, Joshua turns back specifically to besiege Hazor itself — the only northern city singled out for burning (vv.11,13) — and the narrator interrupts with an explanatory aside naming Hazor 'formerly the head of all these kingdoms,' justifying its exceptional treatment and matching Hazor's known archaeological status as the region's dominant Bronze Age power.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וַיָּ֨שָׁבand he turned backconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — a redirection of the campaign toward Hazorשׁוּב (H7725) 'to turn, return'; marks a tactical pivot from the field pursuit (vv.7-9) back to the enemy's capital.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַJoshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject of וַיָּשָׁביְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091); see v.6.
בָּעֵ֤תat the timeprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · עֵת (H6256)Adverbial time expressionעֵת (H6256) 'time'; 'at that time,' i.e. immediately following the Merom rout.
הַהִיא֙thatart + pronoun 3fs (demonstrative use) · הִיא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying עֵתהִיא (H1931) with the article functions demonstratively, 'that (same) time.'
וַיִּלְכֹּ֣דand he capturedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · לָכַד (H3920)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the siege's decisive resultלָכַד (H3920) 'to capture, seize'; the standard verb for a city's fall (cf. Jericho, Ai).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת; marks חָצוֹר as the object of the capture.
חָצ֔וֹרHazorproper noun · חָצוֹר (H2674)Direct object of וַיִּלְכֹּדחָצוֹר (H2674); see v.1 — the coalition's capital falls, singled out for direct assault.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)וְ joins the second object; אֵת marks מַלְכָּהּ, fronted before its own verb הִכָּה.
מַלְכָּ֖הּits kingN m sg constr + 3fs suffix · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Fronted direct object of הִכָּהמֶלֶךְ (H4428); Hazor's own king, unnamed here — contrast the earlier care to name Jabin (v.1).
הִכָּ֣הhe struckHiphil perfect 3ms · נָכָה (H5221)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive actנָכָה (H5221); see v.8 — the king's execution, echoing the fate of the southern kings in ch.10.
בֶחָ֑רֶבwith the swordprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · חֶרֶב (H2719)Instrumental prepositional phrase modifying הִכָּהחֶרֶב (H2719) 'sword'; the instrument of execution, standard in the ban formula (cf. v.11-12).
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing explanatory asideכִּי (H3588) 'for'; introduces the narrator's justification for Hazor's exceptional treatment.
חָצ֣וֹרHazorproper noun · חָצוֹר (H2674)Subject of the כִּי clauseחָצוֹר (H2674); see v.1 — repeated for emphasis in the explanatory aside.
לְפָנִ֔יםformerlyprep לְ + N c pl abs · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial time expressionפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; לְפָנִים idiomatically 'in former times, previously' — Hazor's dominance is a matter of past record, now ended.
הִ֕יאshe/itindependent pronoun 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Copular subject pronoun ('Hazor... it was the head')הִיא (H1931) 'she, it'; resumes חָצוֹר as subject of the nominal (verbless) predication.
רֹ֖אשׁthe head ofN m sg constr · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Predicate noun of verbless clause, construct chainרֹאשׁ (H7218) 'head'; figuratively 'chief, capital' — Hazor's political primacy over the northern city-states, matching its known status as the largest Bronze Age tell in the land.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chainכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct with 'these kingdoms.'
הַמַּמְלָכ֥וֹתthe kingdomsart + N f pl abs · מַמְלָכָה (H4467)Genitive complement of construct chainמַמְלָכָה (H4467) 'kingdom'; the sum of the city-states listed and summoned in vv.1-3, all subordinate to Hazor.
הָאֵֽלֶּהtheseart + demonstrative pronoun c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַמַּמְלָכוֹתאֵלֶּה (H428); anaphoric to the coalition kingdoms of vv.1-5.
11
וַ֠יַּכּוּ אֶת כָּל הַנֶּ֨פֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר בָּ֤הּ לְפִי חֶ֨רֶב֙ הַֽחֲרֵ֔ם לֹ֥א נוֹתַ֖ר כָּל נְשָׁמָ֑ה וְאֶת חָצ֖וֹר שָׂרַ֥ף בָּאֵֽשׁ
And they struck every person who was in it with the edge of the sword, devoting them to destruction; nothing that breathed was left. And Hazor he burned with fire.
The herem formula intensifies with the infinitive absolute הַחֲרֵם reinforcing the finite verb's totality, and 'no breathing thing left' echoes the flood narrative's negation of all נְשָׁמָה (Gen 7:22) — Hazor alone among the northern cities (contrast v.13) is both put to the sword and burned, marking it as uniquely cursed for its former primacy (v.10).
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַ֠יַּכּוּand they struckconj וַ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · נָכָה (H5221)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the ban's executionנָכָה (H5221); see v.8 — the population-wide strike, distinguished from the earlier field battle.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת; marks כָּל הַנֶּפֶשׁ as object.
כָּלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain, direct objectכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct with 'the person/soul,' totalizing the ban.
הַנֶּ֨פֶשׁthe personart + N c sg abs · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Genitive complement of construct chainנֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, person, living being'; here every individual inhabitant, without exception.
אֲשֶׁרwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying הַנֶּפֶשׁאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the location of the population ('who were in it').
בָּ֤הּwas in itprep בְּ + 3fs suffixPrepositional phrase, predicate of the relative clauseבְּ 'in'; refers back to Hazor (feminine).
לְפִיwith the edge ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Construct chain, instrumentalפֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'; לְפִי חֶרֶב 'by the mouth/edge of the sword' is the standard ban-execution idiom.
חֶ֨רֶב֙the swordN f sg abs · חֶרֶב (H2719)Genitive complement of construct chainחֶרֶב (H2719); see v.10.
הַֽחֲרֵ֔םdevoting to destructionHiphil infinitive absolute · חָרַם (H2763)Infinitive absolute reinforcing וַיַּכּוּ (intensive/manner adjunct)→ Infinitive absolute: intensifies the finite verb — 'they struck... utterly devoting to destruction'חָרַם (H2763) 'to devote to destruction, ban'; the technical term for Israel's total-war consecration of enemy cities and populations to YHWH, sparing nothing (cf. Deut 7:2; 20:17).
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates נוֹתַרלֹא (H3808), the plain-fact negative (contrast אַל for volitional); states the total result as accomplished fact.
נוֹתַ֖רwas leftNiphal perfect 3ms · יָתַר (H3498)Predicate verb (main clause), negated→ Perfective, negated: a completed, total absence — nothing whatsoever remained aliveיָתַר (H3498) 'to remain'; Niphal passive, 'was left, remained' — negated for total annihilation, as at v.8.
כָּלanyN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain, subject of נוֹתַרכֹּל (H3605); construct with 'breathing thing.'
נְשָׁמָ֑הbreathing thingN f sg abs · נְשָׁמָה (H5397)Genitive complement of construct chain, subjectנְשָׁמָה (H5397) 'breath, breathing being'; the same term negated for all flesh in the flood (Gen 7:22) — total, life-encompassing destruction.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker, frontedוְ shifts to the city itself; אֵת marks חָצוֹר, fronted before שָׂרַף for emphasis.
חָצ֖וֹרHazorproper noun · חָצוֹר (H2674)Fronted direct object of שָׂרַףחָצוֹר (H2674); see v.1 — now the city itself, not just its people, is destroyed.
שָׂרַ֥ףhe burnedQal perfect 3ms · שָׂרַף (H8313)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive actשָׂרַף (H8313); see v.6 — the archaeologically attested destruction layer at Tel Hazor is often associated with this event.
בָּאֵֽשׁwith fireprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Instrumental prepositional phrase modifying שָׂרַףאֵשׁ (H784); see v.6 — Hazor is the sole northern city burned (v.13), matching v.10's note of its unique preeminence.
12
וְֽאֶת כָּל עָרֵ֣י הַמְּלָכִֽים הָ֠אֵלֶּה וְֽאֶת כָּל מַלְכֵיהֶ֞ם לָכַ֧ד יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ וַיַּכֵּ֥ם לְפִי חֶ֖רֶב הֶחֱרִ֣ים אוֹתָ֑ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר צִוָּ֔ה מֹשֶׁ֖ה עֶ֥בֶד יְהוָֽה
And all the cities of these kings, and all their kings, Joshua captured, and struck them with the edge of the sword — he devoted them to destruction, just as Moses the servant of YHWH had commanded.
Both objects — 'all the cities of these kings' and 'all their kings' — are fronted before the verb לָכַד for emphasis, generalizing from Hazor specifically (vv.10-11) to the entire coalition; the closing כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה clause introduces the Mosaic authorization chain that will be spelled out in full at v.15.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וְֽאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker, fronted before its verb לָכַדאֵת; marks כָּל עָרֵי הַמְּלָכִים as the fronted first object.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain, fronted objectכֹּל (H3605); construct with 'the cities of these kings.'
עָרֵ֣יthe cities ofN f pl constr · עִיר (H5892)Construct chainעִיר (H5892) 'city'; construct with 'these kings,' encompassing the entire coalition's urban base.
הַמְּלָכִֽיםthe kingsart + N m pl abs · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Genitive complement of construct chainמֶלֶךְ (H4428); see v.1.
הָ֠אֵלֶּהtheseart + demonstrative pronoun c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַמְּלָכִיםאֵלֶּה (H428); anaphoric to the coalition kings of vv.1-5.
וְֽאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker, fronted (second object)אֵת; marks כָּל מַלְכֵיהֶם as the fronted second object.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain, fronted objectכֹּל (H3605); construct with 'their kings.'
מַלְכֵיהֶ֞םtheir kingsN m pl constr + 3mp suffix · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Genitive complement of construct chainמֶלֶךְ (H4428); see v.1 — all the coalition's rulers, not just Hazor's.
לָכַ֧דhe capturedQal perfect 3ms · לָכַד (H3920)Predicate verb (main clause), objects fronted for emphasis→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act summarizing the whole campaign's capturesלָכַד (H3920); see v.10 — now applied to the entire coalition, not Hazor alone.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַJoshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject of לָכַדיְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091); see v.6.
וַיַּכֵּ֥םand he struck themconj וַ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · נָכָה (H5221) + 3mp suffixPredicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָכָה (H5221); see v.8 — applied here to the captured kings.
לְפִיwith the edge ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Construct chain, instrumentalפֶּה (H6310); see v.11.
חֶ֖רֶבthe swordN f sg abs · חֶרֶב (H2719)Genitive complement of construct chainחֶרֶב (H2719); see v.10.
הֶחֱרִ֣יםhe devoted to destructionHiphil perfect 3ms · חָרַם (H2763)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive actחָרַם (H2763); see v.11 — the ban applied to the whole coalition's kings and cities.
אוֹתָ֑םthemobj marker + 3mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker with pronominal suffix, object of הֶחֱרִיםאֵת + suffix, standing in for a full noun phrase object.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֣רjust asprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative conjunction introducing the authorization clauseכַּאֲשֶׁר; see v.9 — introduces the Mosaic warrant for the ban, spelled out fully at v.15.
צִוָּ֔הhe commandedPiel perfect 3ms · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate verb of comparative clause→ Perfective: an antecedent, completed command — Moses' prior instructionצָוָה (H6680) 'to command'; the verb anchoring the obedience chain fully narrated in v.15 (YHWH to Moses to Joshua).
מֹשֶׁ֖הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of צִוָּהמֹשֶׁה (H4872), lawgiver and Joshua's predecessor; the authorizing precedent behind the ban, per Deut 7 and 20.
עֶ֥בֶדthe servant ofN m sg constr · עֶבֶד (H5650)Construct chain, apposition to מֹשֶׁהעֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant'; the honorific title 'servant of YHWH' for Moses, recurring at v.15.
יְהוָֽהYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement of construct chainיְהוָה (H3068); see v.6.
13
רַ֣ק כָּל הֶעָרִ֗ים הָעֹֽמְדוֹת֙ עַל תִּלָּ֔ם לֹ֥א שְׂרָפָ֖ם יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל זוּלָתִ֛י אֶת חָצ֥וֹר לְבַדָּ֖הּ שָׂרַ֥ף יְהוֹשֻֽׁעַ
Only all the cities standing on their tells did Israel not burn, except Hazor alone — that one Joshua burned.
A restrictive aside qualifies the sweeping capture language of vv.10-12: only Hazor, marked out by its former primacy (v.10), was actually burned; the standing tells (תֵּל, the archaeological term for an occupation mound) of the other conquered cities were left intact for Israelite habitation — a notice with direct bearing on the archaeological record, since destruction layers at most Late Bronze Galilean sites are not attributed to this campaign.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
רַ֣קonlyrestrictive adverb · רַק (H7535)Restrictive adverb governing the whole clause, marking exceptionרַק (H7535) 'only, but'; introduces a sharp restriction on the burning notices of vv.11-12 — a key qualifying notice for the campaign's actual scope.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain, fronted object of שְׂרָפָםכֹּל (H3605); construct with 'the cities standing on their tells.'
הֶעָרִ֗יםthe citiesart + N f pl abs · עִיר (H5892)Genitive complement of construct chainעִיר (H5892); see v.12 — the cities of the coalition other than Hazor.
הָעֹֽמְדוֹת֙standingart + Qal participle f pl abs · עָמַד (H5975)Substantival participle, attributive to הֶעָרִים→ Participle: a durative, ongoing state — cities that stand (still standing, undestroyed)עָמַד (H5975) 'to stand'; the participle describes the cities' surviving, unburned condition on their mounds.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase, locativeעַל (H5921) 'on, upon'; locates the cities atop their mounds.
תִּלָּ֔םtheir moundN m sg constr + 3mp suffix · תֵּל (H8510)Genitive complement of construct chain, object of עַלתֵּל (H8510) 'mound, tell'; the technical archaeological term for a multi-layered occupation mound — the very concept underlying modern excavation of sites like Hazor, and the only OT occurrence directly naming the phenomenon.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates שְׂרָפָםלֹא (H3808); negates the burning, the crux of this verse's qualifying notice.
שְׂרָפָ֖םhe burned themQal perfect 3ms · שָׂרַף (H8313) + 3mp suffixPredicate verb (main clause), negated→ Perfective, negated: a categorical exclusion — Israel simply did not burn these citiesשָׂרַף (H8313); see v.6 — negated here to state the campaign's actual, limited scope of destruction.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Subject of שְׂרָפָםיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); see v.5.
זוּלָתִ֛יexceptconj · זוּלָתִי (H2108)Exceptive conjunction introducing the sole exceptionזוּלָתִי (H2108) 'except, apart from'; isolates Hazor as the sole exception to the just-stated rule.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker, fronted before its verb שָׂרַףאֵת; marks חָצוֹר, fronted for emphasis.
חָצ֥וֹרHazorproper noun · חָצוֹר (H2674)Fronted direct object of שָׂרַףחָצוֹר (H2674); see v.1 — named again as the sole exception to the no-burning rule.
לְבַדָּ֖הּaloneprep לְ + N m sg constr · בַּד (H905) + 3fs suffixAdverbial phrase modifying חָצוֹר, emphatic isolationבַּד (H905) 'separation, isolation'; לְבַדָּהּ 'by itself alone' doubly underscores that Hazor, and Hazor only, was burned.
שָׂרַ֥ףhe burnedQal perfect 3ms · שָׂרַף (H8313)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act, isolated as the exceptionשָׂרַף (H8313); see v.6 — restates Hazor's burning as the singular exception.
יְהוֹשֻֽׁעַJoshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject of שָׂרַףיְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091); see v.6 — the burning of Hazor is attributed to Joshua personally.
14
וְ֠כֹל שְׁלַ֞ל הֶעָרִ֤ים הָאֵ֨לֶּה֙ וְהַבְּהֵמָ֔ה בָּזְז֥וּ לָהֶ֖ם בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל רַ֣ק אֶֽת כָּל הָאָדָ֞ם הִכּ֣וּ לְפִי חֶ֗רֶב עַד הִשְׁמִדָם֙ אוֹתָ֔ם לֹ֥א הִשְׁאִ֖ירוּ כָּל נְשָׁמָֽה
And all the plunder of these cities, and the livestock, the sons of Israel took as spoil for themselves; only every human being they struck with the edge of the sword until they had destroyed them — they left nothing that breathed.
This verse draws the legal distinction underlying the ban here: livestock and goods (שָׁלָל) may be kept as spoil — contrast Jericho's total ban even on animals (6:21) and Achan's fatal violation (7:21) — but every human being is put under the ban without exception; the 'no breathing thing' formula from v.11 recurs, now applied to the whole territory rather than Hazor alone.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
וְ֠כֹלand allconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain, fronted object of בָּזְזוּכֹּל (H3605); construct with 'the plunder of these cities.'
שְׁלַ֞לthe plunder ofN m sg constr · שָׁלָל (H7998)Construct chainשָׁלָל (H7998) 'plunder, spoil'; the movable goods of the conquered cities, distinguished from the banned human population.
הֶעָרִ֤יםthese citiesart + N f pl abs · עִיר (H5892)Genitive complement of construct chainעִיר (H5892); see v.12 — the whole coalition's conquered cities.
הָאֵ֨לֶּה֙theseart + demonstrative pronoun c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrative modifying הֶעָרִיםאֵלֶּה (H428); anaphoric to the captured cities.
וְהַבְּהֵמָ֔הand the livestockconj וְ + art + N f sg abs (collective) · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Coordinate fronted object of בָּזְזוּבְּהֵמָה (H929) 'beast, livestock'; explicitly permitted spoil here, unlike at Jericho (6:21) where all animals were banned.
בָּזְז֥וּthey plunderedQal perfect 3cp · בָּזַז (H962)Predicate verb (main clause), objects fronted→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act — the goods and animals lawfully takenבָּזַז (H962) 'to plunder, take as spoil'; the sanctioned counterpart to the banned human population.
לָהֶ֖םfor themselvesprep לְ + 3mp suffixPrepositional phrase, benefactive/reflexiveלְ 'for, to'; benefactive — the Israelites keep the plunder for their own use.
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain, subject of בָּזְזוּבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל 'the sons/children of Israel,' the standard national designation.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); see v.5.
רַ֣קonlyrestrictive adverb · רַק (H7535)Restrictive adverb marking a contrast with the preceding clauseרַק (H7535); see v.13 — pivots from the permitted plundering of goods to the mandatory ban on people.
אֶֽת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker, fronted before its verb הִכּוּאֵת; marks כָּל הָאָדָם, fronted for emphasis.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain, fronted objectכֹּל (H3605); construct with 'mankind,' totalizing the human population.
הָאָדָ֞םmankind/peopleart + N m sg abs (collective) · אָדָם (H120)Genitive complement of construct chainאָדָם (H120) 'man, mankind'; collective for the whole human population, sharply distinguished from the livestock just plundered.
הִכּ֣וּthey struckHiphil perfect 3cp · נָכָה (H5221)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive actנָכָה (H5221); see v.8.
לְפִיwith the edge ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Construct chain, instrumentalפֶּה (H6310); see v.11.
חֶ֗רֶבthe swordN f sg abs · חֶרֶב (H2719)Genitive complement of construct chainחֶרֶב (H2719); see v.10.
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Prepositional phrase, resultativeעַד (H5704) 'until'; introduces the result clause of total destruction.
הִשְׁמִדָם֙they destroyed themHiphil infinitive construct · שָׁמַד (H8045) + 3mp suffixInfinitive construct with עַד, result clause→ Infinitive construct with עַד: marks the endpoint reached — total destructionשָׁמַד (H8045) 'to destroy, exterminate'; Hiphil, reinforcing נָכָה — the striking continues 'until destroying them' completely.
אוֹתָ֔םthemobj marker + 3mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker with pronominal suffix, resumptive object of הִשְׁמִדָםאֵת + suffix, resumptive of the object already suffixed on the infinitive — an emphatic doubling.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates הִשְׁאִירוּלֹא (H3808); see v.11.
הִשְׁאִ֖ירוּthey leftHiphil perfect 3cp · שָׁאַר (H7604)Predicate verb (main clause), negated→ Perfective, negated: a completed, total absenceשָׁאַר (H7604); see v.8 — restates the total-annihilation formula.
כָּלanyN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain, direct objectכֹּל (H3605); construct with 'breathing thing.'
נְשָׁמָֽהbreathing thingN f sg abs · נְשָׁמָה (H5397)Genitive complement of construct chain, objectנְשָׁמָה (H5397); see v.11 — the same total-life-negation formula, now covering the whole campaign.
15
כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר צִוָּ֤ה יְהוָה֙ אֶת מֹשֶׁ֣ה עַבְדּ֔וֹ כֵּן צִוָּ֥ה מֹשֶׁ֖ה אֶת יְהוֹשֻׁ֑עַ וְכֵן֙ עָשָׂ֣ה יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ לֹֽא הֵסִ֣יר דָּבָ֔ר מִכֹּ֛ל אֲשֶׁר צִוָּ֥ה יְהוָ֖ה אֶת מֹשֶֽׁה
Just as YHWH commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did — he left nothing undone of all that YHWH had commanded Moses.
The three-link chain — YHWH to Moses, Moses to Joshua, Joshua's action — closes the campaign's narrative proper with a formal declaration of total obedience: 'he did not turn aside a word,' echoing Deut 5:32 and anticipating Josh 1:7's charge to Joshua not to turn from the law. This is the chapter's theological hinge, subordinating the entire military narrative to covenant obedience.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
כַּאֲשֶׁ֨רjust asprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative conjunction opening the obedience-chain sentenceכַּאֲשֶׁר; see v.9 — opens the chapter's climactic three-part obedience formula.
צִוָּ֤הhe commandedPiel perfect 3ms · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate verb of the כַּאֲשֶׁר clause→ Perfective: a completed, antecedent command — the first link of the chainצָוָה (H6680); see v.12 — the first link: YHWH to Moses.
יְהוָה֙YHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of the first צִוָּהיְהוָה (H3068); see v.6 — the ultimate source of the command chain.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת; marks מֹשֶׁה as the object of YHWH's command.
מֹשֶׁ֣הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Direct object of first צִוָּהמֹשֶׁה (H4872); see v.12 — the chain's middle link, both recipient and transmitter of the command.
עַבְדּ֔וֹhis servantN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · עֶבֶד (H5650)Apposition to מֹשֶׁהעֶבֶד (H5650); see v.12 — the honorific 'his servant' underscores Moses' unique authority as YHWH's own commissioned agent.
כֵּןsoadverb · כֵּן (H3651)Correlative adverb answering כַּאֲשֶׁר, opening the second clauseכֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus'; pairs with כַּאֲשֶׁר to form 'just as... so...,' the chain's second link.
צִוָּ֥הhe commandedPiel perfect 3ms · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate verb of the כֵּן clause→ Perfective: a completed act — the second link of the chainצָוָה (H6680); the second link: Moses to Joshua.
מֹשֶׁ֖הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of second צִוָּהמֹשֶׁה (H4872); now transmitting, not receiving, the command.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת; marks יְהוֹשֻׁעַ as the object of Moses' command.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֑עַJoshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Direct object of second צִוָּהיְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091); see v.6 — the chain's final link, its recipient and executor.
וְכֵן֙and soconj וְ + adverb · כֵּן (H3651)Correlative adverb, third link, opening the final clauseכֵּן (H3651); repeats the correlative for the chain's third and climactic link — Joshua's action.
עָשָׂ֣הhe didQal perfect 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause), the chain's climax→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of obedienceעָשָׂה (H6213); see v.9 — the chain's final term: command becomes action.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַJoshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject of עָשָׂהיְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091); see v.6.
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates הֵסִירלֹא (H3808); negates the following verb for the chapter's climactic statement of total obedience.
הֵסִ֣ירhe turned asideHiphil perfect 3ms · סוּר (H5493)Predicate verb (main clause), negated→ Perfective, negated: a completed, total absence of deviationסוּר (H5493) 'to turn aside'; Hiphil, 'to remove, cause to depart'; לֹא הֵסִיר דָּבָר 'he did not turn aside a word' is the classic idiom for exact, unswerving obedience (cf. Deut 5:32; Josh 1:7; 23:6).
דָּבָ֔רa wordN m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Direct object of הֵסִירדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing, matter'; the object of the idiom — not a single detail of the command was left undone.
מִכֹּ֛לfrom allprep מִן + N m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase modifying דָּבָר, partitiveכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; 'a word from all that YHWH commanded' — total coverage of the command's scope.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying כֹּלאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the content of YHWH's command.
צִוָּ֥הhe commandedPiel perfect 3ms · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, antecedent commandצָוָה (H6680); the sentence closes by returning to its starting point, YHWH's original command.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of the final צִוָּהיְהוָה (H3068); see v.6.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת; marks מֹשֶׁה as object, closing the sentence with the chain's starting point.
מֹשֶֽׁהMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Direct object of final צִוָּהמֹשֶׁה (H4872); see v.12 — the verse's ring structure returns to its opening name, framing the whole obedience chain.
16
וַיִּקַּ֨ח יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ אֶת כָּל הָאָ֣רֶץ הַזֹּ֗את הָהָ֤ר וְאֶת כָּל הַנֶּ֨גֶב֙ וְאֵת֙ כָּל אֶ֣רֶץ הַגֹּ֔שֶׁן וְאֶת הַשְּׁפֵלָ֖ה וְאֶת הָעֲרָבָ֑ה וְאֶת הַ֥ר יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל וּשְׁפֵלָתֹֽה
So Joshua took all this land: the hill country, all the Negev, all the land of Goshen, the lowland, the Arabah, the hill country of Israel and its lowland.
Opens the chapter's closing territorial summary (vv.16-20), listing the regions taken in a merism-like geographic sweep matching the survey of vv.2-3 — now claimed as conquered rather than merely surveyed as enemy territory.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וַיִּקַּ֨חand he tookconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (main clause), opens the summary→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the campaign's territorial result statedלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; here of territorial possession, summarizing the whole campaign's outcome.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַJoshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject of וַיִּקַּחיְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091); see v.6.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת; marks כָּל הָאָרֶץ הַזֹּאת as object, opening the geographic list.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain, direct objectכֹּל (H3605); construct with 'this land,' the summary heading before the itemized list.
הָאָ֣רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive complement of construct chainאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the summary heading for the whole list that follows.
הַזֹּ֗אתthisart + demonstrative pronoun f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Attributive demonstrative modifying הָאָרֶץזֹאת (H2063); see v.6.
הָהָ֤רthe hill countryart + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Appositional to הָאָרֶץ הַזֹּאת, first item of the listהַר (H2022); see v.2 — the first region of the territorial inventory.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second item)אֵת; marks כָּל הַנֶּגֶב as the second listed region.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chainכֹּל (H3605); construct with 'the Negev.'
הַנֶּ֨גֶב֙the Negevart + N m sg abs · נֶגֶב (H5045)Genitive complement of construct chainנֶגֶב (H5045) 'south, Negev'; the southern desert region — here, notably, part of the summary though outside the northern campaign proper, indicating the totality of the whole conquest, not just this chapter's theater.
וְאֵת֙and [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (third item)אֵת; marks כָּל אֶרֶץ הַגֹּשֶׁן as the third listed region.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chainכֹּל (H3605); construct with 'the land of Goshen.'
אֶ֣רֶץthe land ofN c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Construct chainאֶרֶץ (H776); construct with 'Goshen.'
הַגֹּ֔שֶׁןGoshenart + proper noun · גֹּשֶׁן (H1657)Genitive complement of construct chainגֹּשֶׁן (H1657), a district in southern Judah (cf. 10:41; 15:51) — not to be confused with the Egyptian Goshen of Genesis/Exodus.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (fourth item)אֵת; marks הַשְּׁפֵלָה as the fourth listed region.
הַשְּׁפֵלָ֖הthe lowlandart + N f sg abs · שְׁפֵלָה (H8219)Fourth item of the geographic listשְׁפֵלָה (H8219); see v.2.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (fifth item)אֵת; marks הָעֲרָבָה as the fifth listed region.
הָעֲרָבָ֑הthe Arabahart + N f sg abs · עֲרָבָה (H6160)Fifth item of the geographic listעֲרָבָה (H6160); see v.2.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (sixth item)אֵת; marks הַר יִשְׂרָאֵל as the final listed region.
הַ֥רthe hill country ofN m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Construct chain, sixth itemהַר (H2022); see v.2 — here specified as belonging to Israel, the first explicit territorial claim by name.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); see v.5.
וּשְׁפֵלָתֹֽהand its lowlandconj וְ + N f sg constr + 3ms suffix · שְׁפֵלָה (H8219)Coordinate final item of the listשְׁפֵלָה (H8219); a second, closing mention of the lowland, this time possessively attached to 'the hill country of Israel,' rounding off the list.
17
מִן הָהָ֤ר הֶֽחָלָק֙ הָעוֹלֶ֣ה שֵׂעִ֔יר וְעַד בַּ֤עַל גָּד֙ בְּבִקְעַ֣ת הַלְּבָנ֔וֹן תַּ֖חַת הַר חֶרְמ֑וֹן וְאֵ֤ת כָּל מַלְכֵיהֶם֙ לָכַ֔ד וַיַּכֵּ֖ם וַיְמִיתֵֽם
From Mount Halak, which rises toward Seir, as far as Baal-gad in the valley of Lebanon under Mount Hermon — all their kings he captured, and struck them, and put them to death.
The description shifts from regional names (v.16) to fixed boundary points — from Mount Halak in the far south (toward Edom/Seir) to Baal-gad at Hermon's foot in the far north — bracketing the conquered land's full extent before the verse turns back to report the kings' fate.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase, spatial originמִן (H4480) 'from'; opens the boundary description at its southern extreme.
הָהָ֤רthe mountainart + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Object of preposition מִןהַר (H2022); see v.2.
הֶֽחָלָק֙Halakart + proper noun · חָלָק (H2510)Apposition to הָהָרחָלָק (H2510) 'smooth, bare'; Mount Halak, the southernmost marker of the conquered territory, on the approach to Edom/Seir.
הָעוֹלֶ֣הthat risesart + Qal participle m sg abs · עָלָה (H5927)Substantival/attributive participle modifying הָהָר הֶחָלָק→ Participle: a durative, ongoing description — the ascent toward Seirעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up'; participle describes the mountain's ascent/orientation toward Seir.
שֵׂעִ֔ירSeirproper noun · שֵׂעִיר (H8165)Object of the participle הָעוֹלֶה (directional)שֵׂעִיר (H8165), the hill country of Edom southeast of the Dead Sea — marks the far southern horizon of the summary.
וְעַדand as far asconj וְ + prep · עַד (H5704)Prepositional phrase, spatial extent (northern terminus)עַד (H5704); pairs with מִן to bracket the whole conquered territory, south to north.
בַּ֤עַלBaal-proper noun (first element) · בַּעַל (H1171)Object of preposition עַד (compound place-name, first element)בַּעַל (H1171) 'lord, master'; here the divine-name element of the compound toponym בַּעַל גָּד.
גָּד֙-gadproper noun (second element) · גָּד (H1171)Object of preposition עַד (compound place-name, second element)גָּד 'fortune'; together 'Baal-gad,' a Canaanite cult site at the foot of Hermon marking the campaign's northernmost point.
בְּבִקְעַ֣תin the valley ofprep בְּ + N f sg constr · בִּקְעָה (H1237)Construct chain, locative apposition to בַּעַל גָּדבִּקְעָה (H1237); see v.8 — here 'the valley of Lebanon,' the Beqaa Valley between the Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon ranges.
הַלְּבָנ֔וֹןLebanonart + proper noun · לְבָנוֹן (H3844)Genitive complement of construct chainלְבָנוֹן (H3844) 'white' (from its snow-capped peaks); the mountain range marking the land's far northern frontier.
תַּ֖חַתunderprep · תַּחַת (H8478)Prepositional phrase, locativeתַּחַת (H8478); see v.3 — further specifies Baal-gad's location at Hermon's foot.
הַרMountN m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Construct chain, object of תַּחַתהַר (H2022); see v.2 — construct with 'Hermon.'
חֶרְמ֑וֹןHermonproper noun · חֶרְמוֹן (H2768)Genitive complement of construct chainחֶרְמוֹן (H2768); see v.3 — the campaign's boundary description closes where it opened, at Hermon.
וְאֵ֤תand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker, fronted before its verb לָכַדאֵת; marks כָּל מַלְכֵיהֶם, fronted; the sentence pivots from geography back to the campaign's human outcome.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain, fronted objectכֹּל (H3605); construct with 'their kings.'
מַלְכֵיהֶם֙their kingsN m pl constr + 3mp suffix · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Genitive complement of construct chain, fronted objectמֶלֶךְ (H4428); see v.1 — the entire conquered territory's rulers, now summarized as a group.
לָכַ֔דhe capturedQal perfect 3ms · לָכַד (H3920)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive actלָכַד (H3920); see v.10.
וַיַּכֵּ֖םand he struck themconj וַ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · נָכָה (H5221) + 3mp suffixPredicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָכָה (H5221); see v.8.
וַיְמִיתֵֽםand he put them to deathconj וַ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · מוּת (H4191) + 3mp suffixPredicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the campaign's kings, unlike its cities, are uniformly executedמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; Hiphil 'to put to death, kill' — the final verb in the summary's report of the kings' fate, matching the execution pattern of ch.10's five kings.
18
יָמִ֣ים רַבִּ֗ים עָשָׂ֧ה יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ אֶת כָּל הַמְּלָכִ֥ים הָאֵ֖לֶּה מִלְחָמָֽה
A long time Joshua made war with all these kings.
This notice of protracted warfare stands in notable tension with 10:42's summary of the southern campaign as conquered 'at one time' (פַּעַם אֶחָת) — the northern coalition's greater numbers and chariot forces (v.4) apparently required a longer, harder struggle, a small but real chronological seam in Joshua's otherwise sweeping conquest narrative.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
יָמִ֣יםdaysN m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of durationיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; plural, 'days' i.e. an extended period — 'many days' = a long time.
רַבִּ֗יםmanyadjective m pl abs · רַב (H7227)Attributive adjective modifying יָמִיםרַב (H7227); see v.4 — 'many days,' contrasting with 10:42's 'at one time.'
עָשָׂ֧הhe madeQal perfect 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed act viewed as a whole, spanning the extended timeframeעָשָׂה (H6213); see v.9 — here 'made war,' idiomatic for waging a campaign.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַJoshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject of עָשָׂהיְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091); see v.6.
אֶתwithprep · אֶת (H854)Prepositional phrase, comitative/adversative object of עָשָׂה מִלְחָמָהאֵת/אֶת (H854) 'with'; distinct from the identically-spelled object marker H853 — here the comitative-adversative preposition, 'war against/with.'
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chainכֹּל (H3605); construct with 'these kings.'
הַמְּלָכִ֥יםthe kingsart + N m pl abs · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Genitive complement of construct chainמֶלֶךְ (H4428); see v.1.
הָאֵ֖לֶּהtheseart + demonstrative pronoun c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַמְּלָכִיםאֵלֶּה (H428); anaphoric to the coalition kings.
מִלְחָמָֽהwarN f sg abs · מִלְחָמָה (H4421)Direct object of עָשָׂה (cognate-type object)מִלְחָמָה (H4421); see v.7 — object of 'made,' completing the idiom 'waged war.'
19
לֹֽא הָיְתָ֣ה עִ֗יר אֲשֶׁ֤ר הִשְׁלִ֨ימָה֙ אֶל בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בִּלְתִּ֥י הַחִוִּ֖י יֹשְׁבֵ֣י גִבְע֑וֹן אֶת הַכֹּ֖ל לָקְח֥וּ בַמִּלְחָמָֽה
There was not a city that made peace with the sons of Israel, except the Hivites who inhabited Gibeon — everything else they took in war.
This notice cross-references ch.9's Gibeonite treaty, the sole exception to Israel's otherwise universal policy of conquest by force — every other city fell to arms, and 'all' (הַכֹּל) was taken 'in war,' i.e. by right of conquest rather than covenant.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates הָיְתָהלֹא (H3808); see v.11.
הָיְתָ֣הthere wasQal perfect 3fs · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (existential clause), negated→ Perfective, negated: a categorical statement of nonexistenceהָיָה (H1961); see v.1 — existential 'there was (not),' a categorical negative statement.
עִ֗ירa cityN f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Subject of הָיְתָהעִיר (H5892); see v.12.
אֲשֶׁ֤רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying עִיראֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the description of the (nonexistent) peace-making city.
הִשְׁלִ֨ימָה֙made peaceHiphil perfect 3fs · שָׁלַם (H7999)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed act, negated by the overall clauseשָׁלַם (H7999) 'to be complete, at peace'; Hiphil 'to make peace, come to terms' — the same verb used of Gibeon's treaty in 9:15, here noted as the sole exception.
אֶלwithprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase, object of הִשְׁלִימָהאֶל (H413); here 'with' rather than 'to,' governed by the treaty-making verb.
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain, object of preposition אֶלבֵּן (H1121); see v.14.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); see v.5.
בִּלְתִּ֥יexceptconj · בִּלְתִּי (H1115)Exceptive conjunction introducing the sole exceptionבִּלְתִּי (H1115); see v.8 — isolates the Hivites of Gibeon as the sole exception.
הַחִוִּ֖יthe Hivitesart + gentilic N m sg abs · חִוִּי (H2340)Subject/object of exception clauseחִוִּי (H2340); see v.3 — the exception named already in the coalition catalogue, confirming Gibeon's Hivite identity (cf. 9:7).
יֹשְׁבֵ֣יinhabitants ofQal participle m pl constr · יָשַׁב (H3427)Substantival participle, apposition to הַחִוִּי→ Participle: a durative state — those dwelling/residingיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell'; participle 'inhabitants of,' construct with Gibeon.
גִבְע֑וֹןGibeonproper noun · גִּבְעוֹן (H1391)Genitive complement of construct chainגִּבְעוֹן (H1391), the Hivite city whose delegation deceived Israel into a covenant of peace (ch.9) — the single negotiated exception to the conquest.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker, fronted before its verb לָקְחוּאֵת; marks הַכֹּל, fronted for emphasis.
הַכֹּ֖לeverythingart + N m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Fronted direct object of לָקְחוּכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; substantival 'the all/everything' — every other city, with everything in it, was taken.
לָקְח֥וּthey tookQal perfect 3cp · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive actלָקַח (H3947); see v.16 — here of taking cities by force, in contrast to Gibeon's negotiated peace.
בַמִּלְחָמָֽהin warprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · מִלְחָמָה (H4421)Instrumental/manner prepositional phrase modifying לָקְחוּמִלְחָמָה (H4421); see v.7 — 'by war,' i.e. by force of arms rather than treaty.
20
כִּ֣י מֵאֵ֣ת יְהוָ֣ה הָיְתָ֡ה לְחַזֵּ֣ק אֶת לִבָּם֩ לִקְרַ֨את הַמִּלְחָמָ֤ה אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ לְמַ֣עַן הַֽחֲרִימָ֔ם לְבִלְתִּ֥י הֱיוֹת לָהֶ֖ם תְּחִנָּ֑ה כִּ֚י לְמַ֣עַן הַשְׁמִידָ֔ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה יְהוָ֖ה אֶת מֹשֶֽׁה
For it was from YHWH to harden their hearts to meet Israel in battle, so that he might devote them to destruction, that they might have no mercy, but that he might destroy them, just as YHWH had commanded Moses.
One of Scripture's starkest statements of divine hardening applied to a whole population: as with Pharaoh (Exod 4:21; 9:12; 14:4), YHWH hardens the coalition's resolve so that they choose to fight rather than sue for peace as Gibeon did, ensuring destruction under the ban rather than survival by treaty. The doubled purpose clauses (לְמַעַן) make the causation deliberate: hardening serves the ban's totality, 'that there be no mercy.' The text does not explain why these nations are singled out while Gibeon is spared, nor resolve the tension with the coalition's own culpable aggression already narrated in vv.4-5 ('to fight against Israel'); it simply asserts both, alongside Deuteronomy's stated rationale of the land's prior wickedness (Deut 9:4-5; 20:16-18).
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the theological explanationכִּי (H3588); introduces the chapter's most theologically weighted statement, explaining the coalition's uniform refusal to seek peace.
מֵאֵ֣תfromprep מִן + prep · אֵת (H854)Prepositional phrase, source/agencyמֵאֵת 'from with, from'; names the causal source of the hardening as YHWH himself, not chance or the nations' own character alone.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of preposition מֵאֵת, logical agentיְהוָה (H3068); see v.6 — explicitly named as the source of the hardening, the chapter's most direct statement of divine causation.
הָיְתָ֡הit wasQal perfect 3fs · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause), impersonal 'it was [YHWH's doing]'→ Perfective: a completed, settled state of affairs — the hardening was, categorically, from YHWHהָיָה (H1961); see v.1 — here the impersonal formula 'it was from YHWH,' the same construction used of Pharaoh's hardened heart tradition.
לְחַזֵּ֣קto hardenprep לְ + Piel inf constr · חָזַק (H2388)Infinitive construct complementing הָיְתָה (epexegetical)→ Infinitive construct: names the specific content of YHWH's action — the deliberate hardening of resolveחָזַק (H2388) 'to be strong'; Piel 'to strengthen, harden' — the same verb-stem family used of Pharaoh's heart (Exod 4:21; 14:4), here applied to the Canaanite coalition's will to fight rather than negotiate.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת; marks לִבָּם, 'their heart,' as the object of the hardening.
לִבָּם֩their heartN m sg constr + 3mp suffix · לֵב (H3820)Direct object of לְחַזֵּקלֵב (H3820) 'heart, mind, will'; singular collective for the coalition's resolve — the seat of decision hardened against seeking terms with Israel.
לִקְרַ֨אתto meetprep לְ + Qal inf constr · קָרָא (H7125)Purpose infinitive clause→ Infinitive construct with purpose לְ: names the hardening's immediate aim — engagement in battleקָרָא (H7125) 'to meet, encounter'; here of meeting in battle, i.e. choosing to fight rather than negotiate.
הַמִּלְחָמָ֤הthe battleart + N f sg abs · מִלְחָמָה (H4421)Direct object of לִקְרַאתמִלְחָמָה (H4421); see v.7.
אֶתwith/againstprep · אֵת (H854)Prepositional phrase, adversative, object of the battle-meetingאֵת/אֶת (H854) 'with'; see v.18 — adversative, 'against Israel.'
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙Israelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Object of preposition אֵתיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); see v.5.
לְמַ֣עַןin order thatprep · לְמַעַן (H4616)Purpose conjunction introducing final clauseלְמַעַן (H4616) 'in order that, for the purpose of'; makes the hardening's ultimate aim explicit — the ban's execution.
הַֽחֲרִימָ֔םhe might devote them to destructionHiphil infinitive construct · חָרַם (H2763) + 3mp suffixInfinitive construct with לְמַעַן, purpose clause→ Infinitive construct with purpose לְמַעַן: the hardening's stated goal is the coalition's total banחָרַם (H2763); see v.11 — the hardening exists specifically so the ban can be carried out without a negotiated exception like Gibeon's.
לְבִלְתִּ֥יso that notprep לְ + conj · בִּלְתִּי (H1115)Negative purpose conjunctionלְבִלְתִּי (H1115) 'so that not'; introduces the negated result — the exclusion of mercy.
הֱיוֹתthere beQal infinitive construct · הָיָה (H1961)Infinitive construct with לְבִלְתִּי, negative result clause→ Infinitive construct, negated by בִּלְתִּי: states the excluded outcome — no mercy shownהָיָה (H1961); see v.1 — existential, 'that there might not be... mercy for them.'
לָהֶ֖םfor themprep לְ + 3mp suffixPrepositional phrase, dative of the coalitionלְ 'for'; refers to the hardened coalition, who receive no mercy.
תְּחִנָּ֑הmercyN f sg abs · תְּחִנָּה (H8467)Subject of הֱיוֹתתְּחִנָּה (H8467) 'favor, mercy, plea for grace'; from חָנַן 'to be gracious' — the very thing Gibeon successfully sought (ch.9) is here categorically excluded from the rest of the coalition.
כִּ֚יbutconj · כִּי (H3588)Adversative/emphatic conjunction introducing the final purpose clauseכִּי (H3588); here adversative-emphatic, 'but rather,' restating the goal for emphasis.
לְמַ֣עַןin order thatprep · לְמַעַן (H4616)Purpose conjunction, restating the aimלְמַעַן (H4616); see above — restated for climactic emphasis.
הַשְׁמִידָ֔םhe might destroy themHiphil infinitive construct · שָׁמַד (H8045) + 3mp suffixInfinitive construct with לְמַעַן, final purpose clause→ Infinitive construct with purpose לְמַעַן: the verse's climactic restatement of total destruction as the intended outcomeשָׁמַד (H8045); see v.14 — the sentence's final word before the closing authorization formula, driving home the ban's totality.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֛רjust asprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative conjunction closing the verse with the authorization formulaכַּאֲשֶׁר; see v.9 — grounds even this hard theology of hardening within the same Mosaic command chain as the rest of the campaign.
צִוָּ֥הhe commandedPiel perfect 3ms · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate verb of the comparative clause→ Perfective: a completed, antecedent commandצָוָה (H6680); see v.12.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of the final צִוָּהיְהוָה (H3068); see v.6.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת; marks מֹשֶׁה as object, closing the verse on the same authorization note as vv.12, 15.
מֹשֶֽׁהMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Direct object of final צִוָּהמֹשֶׁה (H4872); see v.12 — the verse's hard theology is framed, beginning and end, as continuous with the authorized Mosaic warrant, not an ad hoc escalation.
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וַיָּבֹ֨א יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ בָּעֵ֣ת הַהִ֗יא וַיַּכְרֵ֤ת אֶת הָֽעֲנָקִים֙ מִן הָהָ֤ר מִן חֶבְרוֹן֙ מִן דְּבִ֣ר מִן עֲנָ֔ב וּמִכֹּל֙ הַ֣ר יְהוּדָ֔ה וּמִכֹּ֖ל הַ֣ר יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל עִם עָרֵיהֶ֖ם הֶחֱרִימָ֥ם יְהוֹשֻֽׁעַ
And Joshua came at that time and cut off the Anakim from the hill country: from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the hill country of Judah, and from all the hill country of Israel — Joshua devoted them to destruction, together with their cities.
A new narrative unit opens with the same וַיָּבֹא...בָּעֵת הַהִיא formula used at v.10, pivoting from the general territorial summary to a specific, targeted campaign against the Anakim, the giant clan whose report had terrified the earlier spy generation (Num 13:33) — their elimination from the whole hill country south to Hebron and Debir is presented as a distinct, climactic achievement.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
וַיָּבֹ֨אand he cameconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause), opens new sub-episode→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — a new campaign beginsבּוֹא (H935); see v.7 — the same 'came... at that time' formula as v.10, marking a fresh narrative beat.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַJoshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject of וַיָּבֹאיְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091); see v.6.
בָּעֵ֣תat the timeprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · עֵת (H6256)Adverbial time expressionעֵת (H6256); see v.10.
הַהִ֗יאthatart + pronoun 3fs (demonstrative use) · הִיא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying עֵתהִיא (H1931); see v.10.
וַיַּכְרֵ֤תand he cut offconj וַ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · כָּרַת (H3772)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the decisive elimination of the Anakimכָּרַת (H3772) 'to cut'; Hiphil 'to cut off, exterminate' — a strong verb for the removal of the feared giant clan from the land.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת; marks הָעֲנָקִים as object.
הָֽעֲנָקִים֙the Anakimart + gentilic N m pl abs · עֲנָק (H6062)Direct object of וַיַּכְרֵתעֲנָק (H6062), the giant clan whose sight had terrified the spies at Kadesh (Num 13:28, 33) and provoked the wilderness generation's fatal unbelief — their elimination here answers that decades-old fear.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase, spatial origin, first itemמִן (H4480); opens the itemized list of places cleared of Anakim.
הָהָ֤רthe hill countryart + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Object of preposition מִן, first itemהַר (H2022); see v.2 — the highland region generally, before the specific cities named.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase, spatial origin, second itemמִן (H4480); introduces Hebron.
חֶבְרוֹן֙Hebronproper noun · חֶבְרוֹן (H2275)Object of preposition מִןחֶבְרוֹן (H2275), the Anakite stronghold south of Jerusalem, later given to Caleb precisely because of his faith regarding the Anakim (14:12-15; cf. Num 13:22).
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase, spatial origin, third itemמִן (H4480); introduces Debir.
דְּבִ֣רDebirproper noun · דְּבִר (H1688)Object of preposition מִןדְּבִר (H1688), a hill-country city near Hebron (cf. 10:38-39; 15:15-17), formerly called Kiriath-sepher.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase, spatial origin, fourth itemמִן (H4480); introduces Anab.
עֲנָ֔בAnabproper noun · עֲנָב (H6024)Object of preposition מִןעֲנָב (H6024), a town in the southern hill country (cf. 15:50), attested elsewhere as another Anakite center.
וּמִכֹּל֙and from allconj וְ + prep מִן + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain, spatial origin, fifth itemכֹּל (H3605); construct with 'the hill country of Judah,' broadening from specific cities to the whole region.
הַ֣רthe hill country ofN m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Construct chainהַר (H2022); see v.2 — construct with 'Judah.'
יְהוּדָ֔הJudahproper noun · יְהוּדָה (H3063)Genitive complement of construct chainיְהוּדָה (H3063), the southern hill-country tribe whose future territory this campaign clears of its most feared inhabitants.
וּמִכֹּ֖לand from allconj וְ + prep מִן + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain, spatial origin, sixth itemכֹּל (H3605); construct with 'the hill country of Israel.'
הַ֣רthe hill country ofN m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Construct chainהַר (H2022); see v.2 — construct with 'Israel.'
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); see v.5.
עִםwithprep · עִם (H5973)Prepositional phrase, accompaniment, object of הֶחֱרִימָםעִם (H5973); see v.5 — 'together with their cities,' extending the ban to the settlements, not the Anakim alone.
עָרֵיהֶ֖םtheir citiesN f pl constr + 3mp suffix · עִיר (H5892)Object of preposition עִםעִיר (H5892); see v.12.
הֶחֱרִימָ֥םhe devoted them to destructionHiphil perfect 3ms · חָרַם (H2763) + 3mp suffixPredicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive actחָרַם (H2763); see v.11 — the Anakim and their cities alike fall under the same ban formula.
יְהוֹשֻֽׁעַJoshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject of הֶחֱרִימָםיְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091); see v.6 — the verse frames Joshua, not the army generically, as personally responsible for the Anakim's elimination, echoing v.13's personal note about Hazor.
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לֹֽא נוֹתַ֣ר עֲנָקִ֔ים בְּאֶ֖רֶץ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל רַ֗ק בְּעַזָּ֛ה בְּגַ֥ת וּבְאַשְׁדּ֖וֹד נִשְׁאָֽרוּ
No Anakim were left in the land of the sons of Israel; only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod did they remain.
The three Philistine cities named as the Anakim's last refuge — Gaza, Gath, Ashdod — plant the seed for the Goliath narrative: 1 Sam 17:4 identifies Goliath of Gath as a descendant of this very remnant, explaining why later Philistine champions were remembered as giants.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates נוֹתַרלֹא (H3808); see v.11.
נוֹתַ֣רwas leftNiphal perfect 3ms · יָתַר (H3498)Predicate verb (main clause), negated→ Perfective, negated: a categorical, near-total absenceיָתַר (H3498); see v.11 — negated for the near-total removal of the Anakim from Israelite territory.
עֲנָקִ֔יםAnakimN m pl abs (gentilic) · עֲנָק (H6062)Subject of נוֹתַרעֲנָק (H6062); see v.21.
בְּאֶ֖רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Construct chain, locativeאֶרֶץ (H776); see v.3.
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chainבֵּן (H1121); see v.14.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); see v.5.
רַ֗קonlyrestrictive adverb · רַק (H7535)Restrictive adverb marking the sole exceptionרַק (H7535); see v.13 — isolates the Philistine cities as the sole surviving refuge.
בְּעַזָּ֛הin Gazaprep בְּ + proper noun · עַזָּה (H5804)Locative prepositional phrase, subject-location of נִשְׁאָרוּעַזָּה (H5804) 'strong, fortified'; the southernmost of the five Philistine cities, outside Israel's later settlement — the Anakim survive precisely where Israel does not press its conquest.
בְּגַ֥תin Gathprep בְּ + proper noun · גַּת (H1661)Locative prepositional phrase, coordinateגַּת (H1661) 'winepress'; a Philistine city — later Goliath's home city (1 Sam 17:4), directly tracing his gigantism to this Anakite remnant.
וּבְאַשְׁדּ֖וֹדand in Ashdodconj וְ + prep בְּ + proper noun · אַשְׁדּוֹד (H795)Locative prepositional phrase, coordinateאַשְׁדּוֹד (H795), a major Philistine city on the coastal plain, the third and final Anakite refuge named.
נִשְׁאָֽרוּthey remainedNiphal perfect 3cp · שָׁאַר (H7604)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed state — survival specifically located outside Israel's territoryשָׁאַר (H7604); see v.8 — here affirmatively, the Anakim's sole surviving pocket, setting up the Goliath tradition centuries later.
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וַיִּקַּ֨ח יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ אֶת כָּל הָאָ֗רֶץ כְּ֠כֹל אֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבֶּ֣ר יְהוָה֮ אֶל מֹשֶׁה֒ וַיִּתְּנָהּ֩ יְהוֹשֻׁ֨עַ לְנַחֲלָ֧ה לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל כְּמַחְלְקֹתָ֖ם לְשִׁבְטֵיהֶ֑ם וְהָאָ֥רֶץ שָׁקְטָ֖ה מִמִּלְחָמָֽה
So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that YHWH had spoken to Moses, and Joshua gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land had rest from war.
The final clause — 'and the land had rest from war' (וְהָאָרֶץ שָׁקְטָה מִמִּלְחָמָה) — becomes the recurring refrain marking peaceful interludes throughout Judges (3:11, 30; 5:31; 8:28), where it signals not permanent peace but a temporary reprieve before renewed apostasy and oppression; its first occurrence here, at the height of Joshua's success, retrospectively colors the whole formula with irony once Judges shows how fragile that 'rest' proves to be. The chapter closes on the same note as ch.10's and ch.12's summaries: land taken, allotted, and — for now — quiet.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וַיִּקַּ֨חand he tookconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (main clause), opens the chapter's final summary→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the campaign's ultimate resultלָקַח (H3947); see v.16 — the chapter's closing summary echoes its own v.16 opening, framing the whole territorial report.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַJoshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject of וַיִּקַּחיְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091); see v.6.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת; marks כָּל הָאָרֶץ as object.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain, direct objectכֹּל (H3605); construct with 'the land,' totalizing the conquest one final time.
הָאָ֗רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive complement of construct chainאֶרֶץ (H776); see v.3 — the whole land, promised and now possessed.
כְּ֠כֹלaccording to allprep כְּ + N m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Comparative prepositional phrase modifying וַיִּקַּחכֹּל (H3605); כְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר 'according to all that,' introducing the divine-promise fulfillment clause.
אֲשֶׁ֨רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying כֹּלאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the content of YHWH's word to Moses.
דִּבֶּ֣רhe had spokenPiel perfect 3ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, antecedent word — the land-grant promiseדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; the promise of the land to the patriarchs and to Moses (cf. Exod 3:8; Deut 1:8), here declared fulfilled.
יְהוָה֮YHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of דִּבֶּריְהוָה (H3068); see v.6.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking addresseeאֶל (H413); marks Moses as the recipient of YHWH's word.
מֹשֶׁה֒Mosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of preposition אֶלמֹשֶׁה (H4872); see v.12 — the chapter's final invocation of Moses closes the obedience motif begun at v.12 and climaxed at v.15.
וַיִּתְּנָהּ֩and he gave itconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָתַן (H5414) + 3fs suffixPredicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — conquest gives way to distributionנָתַן (H5414); see v.8 — here of granting the land as tribal inheritance, the transition from conquest to settlement that Josh 13-21 will detail.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֨עַJoshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject of וַיִּתְּנָהּיְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091); see v.6.
לְנַחֲלָ֧הas an inheritanceprep לְ + N f sg abs · נַחֲלָה (H5159)Adverbial phrase of result/purpose modifying וַיִּתְּנָהּנַחֲלָה (H5159) 'inheritance, possession'; the covenantal-legal term for the land as Israel's permanent tribal allotment, not mere plunder.
לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֛לto Israelprep לְ + proper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Dative prepositional phrase, indirect object of וַיִּתְּנָהּיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); see v.5 — the recipient of the land-grant.
כְּמַחְלְקֹתָ֖םaccording to their divisionsprep כְּ + N f pl constr + 3mp suffix · מַחְלֹקֶת (H4256)Adverbial phrase of manner modifying וַיִּתְּנָהּמַחְלֹקֶת (H4256) 'division, portion'; anticipates the detailed tribal-allotment lists of chs.13-21.
לְשִׁבְטֵיהֶ֑םby their tribesprep לְ + N m pl constr + 3mp suffix · שֵׁבֶט (H7626)Adverbial phrase of manner, coordinate with כְּמַחְלְקֹתָםשֵׁבֶט (H7626) 'tribe, staff'; the twelve tribes, the organizing unit of the coming distribution.
וְהָאָ֥רֶץand the landconj וְ + art + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Subject of the chapter's closing clauseאֶרֶץ (H776); see v.3 — the same land just taken and allotted now becomes the subject of the closing theological notice.
שָׁקְטָ֖הhad restQal perfect 3fs · שָׁקַט (H8252)Predicate verb (main clause), the chapter's final action→ Perfective: a completed, settled state — quiet achieved, though (per Judges) not permanentlyשָׁקַט (H8252) 'to be quiet, undisturbed'; the chapter's closing verb, whose exact phrase 'the land had rest from war' becomes the recurring cyclical refrain of the book of Judges (3:11, 30; 5:31; 8:28).
מִמִּלְחָמָֽהfrom warprep מִן + N f sg abs · מִלְחָמָה (H4421)Prepositional phrase, source, modifying שָׁקְטָהמִלְחָמָה (H4421); see v.7 — the chapter's very last word, closing an entire book-section of warfare (chs.6-11) on a note of hard-won, provisional peace.