Joshua 2:11 When we heard this, our hearts melted and everyone's courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in the heavens above and on the earth below.

◄ Joshua 2:11 ►

New International Version
When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.

New Living Translation
No wonder our hearts have melted in fear! No one has the courage to fight after hearing such things. For the LORD your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below.

English Standard Version
And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the LORD your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath.

Berean Standard Bible
When we heard this, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in the heavens above and on the earth below.

King James Bible
And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.

New King James Version
And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.

New American Standard Bible
When we heard these reports, our hearts melted and no courage remained in anyone any longer because of you; for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth below.

NASB 1995
“When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.

NASB 1977
“And when we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.

Legacy Standard Bible
Indeed we heard it, and our hearts melted, and a courageous spirit no longer rose up in any man because of you; for Yahweh your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.

Amplified Bible
When we heard it, our hearts melted [in despair], and a [fighting] spirit no longer remained in any man because of you; for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.

Christian Standard Bible
When we heard this, we lost heart, and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on earth below.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When we heard this, we lost heart, and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on earth below.

American Standard Version
And as soon as we had heard it, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more spirit in any man, because of you: for Jehovah your God, he is God in heaven above, and on earth beneath.

Contemporary English Version
We know that the LORD your God rules heaven and earth, and we've lost our courage and our will to fight.

English Revised Version
And as soon as we had heard it, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more spirit in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and on earth beneath.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When we heard about it, we lost heart. There was no courage left in any of us because of you. The LORD your God is the God of heaven and earth.

Good News Translation
We were afraid as soon as we heard about it; we have all lost our courage because of you. The LORD your God is God in heaven above and here on earth.

International Standard Version
When we heard these reports, we all became terrified and discouraged because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath.

Majority Standard Bible
When we heard this, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in the heavens above and on the earth below.

NET Bible
When we heard the news we lost our courage and no one could even breathe for fear of you. For the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on earth below!

New Heart English Bible
As soon as we had heard it, our hearts melted, neither did there remain any more spirit in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and on earth beneath.

Webster's Bible Translation
And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.

World English Bible
As soon as we had heard it, our hearts melted, and there wasn’t any more spirit in any man, because of you: for Yahweh your God, he is God in heaven above, and on earth beneath.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And we hear, and our heart melts, and there has not stood anymore spirit in [any] man from your presence, for He, your God YHWH, [is] God in the heavens above and on the earth below.

Young's Literal Translation
And we hear, and melt doth our heart, and there hath not stood any more spirit in any man, from your presence, for Jehovah your God, He is God in the heavens above, and on the earth beneath.

Smith's Literal Translation
And hearing, our heart will melt and there rose up no more spirit in a man on account of your face: For Jehovah your God, he the God in the heavens from above and upon the earth beneath.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And hearing these things we were affrighted, and our heart fainted away, neither did there remain any spirit in us at your coming in: for the Lord your God he is God in heaven above, and in the earth beneath.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And upon hearing these things, we were very afraid, and our heart languished. Neither did there remain in us any spirit at your arrival. For the Lord your God is the very God in heaven above and on earth below.

New American Bible
We heard, and our hearts melted within us; everyone is utterly dispirited because of you, since the LORD, your God, is God in heaven above and on earth below.

New Revised Standard Version
As soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no courage left in any of us because of you. The LORD your God is indeed God in heaven above and on earth below.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And when we heard these things, our hearts trembled, neither did there remain any more courage in any one of us, because of you; for the LORD your God, is he who is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when we heard, our hearts trembled, and there was no spirit left in any of us before you, because LORD JEHOVAH your God, he is God in Heaven from above and in the Earth from beneath

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And as soon as we had heard it, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more spirit in any man, because of you; for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above, and on earth beneath.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And when we heard it we were amazed in our heart, and there was no longer any spirit in any of us because of you, for the Lord your god is God in heaven above, and on the earth beneath.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Promise to Rahab
…10For we have heard how the LORD dried up the waters of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites across the Jordan, whom you devoted to destruction. 11When we heard this, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in the heavens above and on the earth below. 12Now therefore, please swear to me by the LORD that you will indeed show kindness to my family, because I showed kindness to you. Give me a sure sign…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Exodus 15:14-16
The nations will hear and tremble; anguish will grip the dwellers of Philistia. / Then the chiefs of Edom will be dismayed; trembling will seize the leaders of Moab; those who dwell in Canaan will melt away, / and terror and dread will fall on them. By the power of Your arm they will be as still as a stone until Your people pass by, O LORD, until the people You have bought pass by.

Deuteronomy 2:25
This very day I will begin to put the dread and fear of you upon all the nations under heaven. They will hear the reports of you and tremble in anguish because of you.”

Deuteronomy 11:25
No man will be able to stand against you; the LORD your God will put the fear and dread of you upon all the land, wherever you set foot, as He has promised you.

1 Samuel 14:15
Then panic struck the Philistines in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. Even those in the outposts and raiding parties trembled. Indeed, the earth quaked, and panic spread from God.

1 Kings 8:41-43
And as for the foreigner who is not of Your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of Your name— / for they will hear of Your great name and mighty hand and outstretched arm—when he comes and prays toward this temple, / then may You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You. Then all the peoples of the earth will know Your name and fear You, as do Your people Israel, and they will know that this house I have built is called by Your Name.

Psalm 22:27-28
All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD. All the families of the nations will bow down before Him. / For dominion belongs to the LORD and He rules over the nations.

Psalm 65:5-8
With awesome deeds of righteousness You answer us, O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas. / You formed the mountains by Your power, having girded Yourself with might. / You stilled the roaring of the seas, the pounding of their waves, and the tumult of the nations. ...

Isaiah 45:14
This is what the LORD says: “The products of Egypt and the merchandise of Cush, along with the Sabeans, men of stature, will come over to you and will be yours; they will trudge behind you; they will come over in chains and bow down to you. They will confess to you: ‘God is indeed with you, and there is no other; there is no other God.’”

Isaiah 49:23
Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow to you facedown and lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in Me will never be put to shame.”

Jeremiah 33:9
So this city will bring Me renown, joy, praise, and glory before all the nations of the earth, who will hear of all the good I do for it. They will tremble in awe because of all the goodness and prosperity that I will provide for it.

Habakkuk 3:6-10
He stood and measured the earth; He looked and startled the nations; the ancient mountains crumbled; the perpetual hills collapsed. His ways are everlasting. / I saw the tents of Cushan in distress; the curtains of Midian were trembling. / Were You angry at the rivers, O LORD? Was Your wrath against the streams? Did You rage against the sea when You rode on Your horses, on Your chariots of salvation? ...

Matthew 8:27
The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey Him!”

Matthew 28:18
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.

Mark 4:41
Overwhelmed with fear, they asked one another, “Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

Luke 8:25
“Where is your faith?” He asked. Frightened and amazed, they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him!”

Treasury of Scripture

And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.

our hearts

Joshua 5:1
And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel.

Joshua 7:5
And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.

Joshua 14:8
Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God.

did there remain [heb] rose up

Revelation 6:16
And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

for the Lord

Deuteronomy 4:39
Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.

1 Kings 8:60
That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else.

Psalm 83:18
That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.

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Joshua 2

1. Rahab receives and conceals the two spies sent from Shittim
8. The covenant between her and them
23. Their return and description of events

Berean Study Bible

When we heard this
This phrase indicates the reaction of the people of Jericho upon hearing about the miraculous events that God performed for the Israelites. The Hebrew root for "heard" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which implies not just hearing but understanding and internalizing the message. This suggests that the news of God's mighty acts had a profound impact on the people, stirring fear and recognition of His power. Historically, the reputation of the Israelites and their God preceded them, causing dread among the inhabitants of Canaan.

our hearts melted
The phrase "our hearts melted" is a vivid expression of fear and despair. The Hebrew word "מוּג" (mug) conveys the idea of being dissolved or fainting. This reflects the complete loss of courage and hope among the people of Jericho. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the heart was considered the seat of courage and emotion, so a melting heart signifies utter demoralization. This reaction underscores the psychological warfare that God waged on behalf of Israel, preparing the way for their conquest.

and everyone's courage failed
This phrase further emphasizes the total collapse of morale among the Canaanites. The Hebrew word "רוּחַ" (ruach) for "courage" can also mean spirit or breath, indicating that the very life force of the people was drained. The historical context shows that the Canaanites were aware of the Israelites' victories over the Amorite kings, Sihon and Og, which contributed to their fear. This loss of courage is a testament to the overwhelming power and presence of God, who fights for His people.

because of you
The phrase "because of you" highlights the direct impact that the Israelites, as God's chosen people, had on the surrounding nations. It was not merely the Israelites themselves but the God who was with them that caused such fear. This reflects the biblical theme of God using His people to demonstrate His power and glory to the nations. The Israelites were instruments of God's judgment and blessing, fulfilling His promises to Abraham about making his descendants a great nation.

For the LORD your God
This declaration acknowledges the God of Israel as the source of the fear and awe that gripped Jericho. The use of "LORD" (YHWH) signifies the covenant name of God, emphasizing His faithfulness and sovereignty. The acknowledgment by Rahab, a Canaanite, of the LORD as God, is significant in the biblical narrative, showing that God's renown was spreading beyond Israel. It also foreshadows the inclusion of Gentiles in God's redemptive plan.

is God in heaven above and on the earth below
This statement is a profound theological confession of God's universal sovereignty. The phrase "in heaven above and on the earth below" encompasses all of creation, affirming that there is no realm outside of God's dominion. In the ancient world, gods were often seen as territorial, but Rahab's confession recognizes the LORD as the supreme God over all. This acknowledgment by a non-Israelite highlights the biblical truth that God's authority and power are unmatched and extend over all nations and peoples.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 11. - Melt. The word in the Hebrew is a different one to that used in ver. 9, but it has a precisely similar meaning. There seems no reason why the destruction of Sihon and Og should have inspired such terror into the hearts of the powerful Phoenician tribes. But the miracle of the drying up of the Red Sea was an event of quite another order, and eminently calculated to produce such feelings. Nothing but such an occurrence could have explained Rahab's language, or the anxiety which the near approach of the armies of Israel inspired in those "cities, great and walled up to heaven," with their inhabitants of giant-like stature and strength. Courage. Literally, spirit. The word רוּחַ seems to have been used in the Hebrew in just the same senses as our word spirit, and it signified wind also (see 1 Kings 10:5). For the Lord your God, he is God. Literally, for Jehovah your God. This declaration, bearing in mind the circumstances of the person who uttered it, is as remarkable as St. Peter's, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." How Rahab attained to this knowledge of God's name and attributes we do not know. It is certain, however, that under the circumstances her knowledge and spiritual insight are as surprising as any recorded in Scripture, and are sufficient to explain the honour in which her name has been held, both at the time and ever since. "I see here," says Bp. Hall, "not only a disciple of God, but a prophetesse." Keil argues that Rahab regards God only as one of the gods, and supposes that she had not entirely escaped from polytheism. But this view does not appear to be borne out by the form of her expressions. We should rather, in that case, have expected to find "he is among the gods," than He is God, which is the only possible rendering of the Hebrew.

CHAPTER 2:12-25. THE OATH OF THE SPIES. -

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

When we heard this,
וַנִּשְׁמַע֙ (wan·niš·ma‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

our hearts
לְבָבֵ֔נוּ (lə·ḇā·ḇê·nū)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural
Strong's 3824: Inner man, mind, will, heart

melted
וַיִּמַּ֣ס (way·yim·mas)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4549: To liquefy, to waste, to faint

and everyone’s
בְּאִ֖ישׁ (bə·’îš)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

courage
ר֛וּחַ (rū·aḥ)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit

failed
וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

because of you,
מִפְּנֵיכֶ֑ם (mip·pə·nê·ḵem)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 6440: The face

for
כִּ֚י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the LORD
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

your God
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם (’ĕ·lō·hê·ḵem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

is God
אֱלֹהִים֙ (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

in the heavens
בַּשָּׁמַ֣יִם (baš·šā·ma·yim)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky

above
מִמַּ֔עַל (mim·ma·‘al)
Preposition-m | Adverb
Strong's 4605: The upper part, with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top

and on
וְעַל־ (wə·‘al-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the earth
הָאָ֖רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

below.
מִתָּֽחַת׃ (mit·tā·ḥaṯ)
Preposition-m
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of

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OT History: Joshua 2:11 As soon as we had heard it (Josh. Jos)