Joshua 11:11

The Israelites put everyone in Hazor to the sword, devoting them to destruction. Nothing that breathed remained, and Joshua burned down Hazor itself.

Study Bible

They struck down everyone in it with the sword
This phrase reflects the execution of divine judgment as commanded by God. The Hebrew word for "struck down" is "nakah," which implies a decisive and forceful action. The use of the sword symbolizes the instrument of God's justice. In the ancient Near Eastern context, warfare was often seen as a means of divine retribution. The Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, were fulfilling God's command to cleanse the land of Canaanite idolatry and immorality, which had reached its full measure of iniquity.

devoting them to destruction
The Hebrew term here is "herem," which means to devote something to God by completely destroying it. This concept is rooted in the idea of holiness and the need to purify the land from anything that could lead Israel astray from worshiping Yahweh. The act of "herem" was not merely about physical destruction but was a spiritual act of consecration, ensuring that nothing would remain that could corrupt the Israelites' covenant relationship with God.

Not a single person was left
This phrase underscores the totality of the judgment executed upon Hazor. It reflects the completeness of God's command being carried out. Historically, this was a common practice in ancient warfare, where leaving no survivors was a way to prevent future retaliation and to demonstrate the total victory of one nation over another. Spiritually, it signifies the thoroughness with which sin and idolatry must be eradicated from the lives of God's people.

and Hazor was burned down
Hazor was a significant Canaanite city, known for its size and strength. Archaeological evidence supports the biblical account, showing layers of destruction that align with the time of Joshua. The burning of Hazor symbolizes the complete overthrow of Canaanite power and the establishment of Israelite dominance in the land. From a theological perspective, the destruction of Hazor serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His promises to give the land to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Joshua
The leader of the Israelites, successor to Moses, who led the conquest of Canaan.

2. Hazor
A significant Canaanite city, described as the head of all those kingdoms, which was targeted and destroyed by the Israelites.

3. Canaanites
The inhabitants of the land of Canaan, who were the primary opponents of the Israelites during their conquest of the Promised Land.

4. Israelites
The people of God, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who were fulfilling God's promise to give them the land of Canaan.

5. The Conquest of Canaan
A series of military campaigns led by Joshua to take possession of the land promised by God to the Israelites.

Teaching Points

Obedience to God's Commands
Joshua's actions demonstrate the importance of following God's instructions completely, even when they are difficult or challenging.

The Severity of Sin
The complete destruction of Hazor serves as a reminder of the seriousness with which God views sin and idolatry.

God's Sovereignty and Justice
The conquest of Canaan illustrates God's sovereign plan and His justice in dealing with nations that oppose His will.

Spiritual Warfare
Just as the Israelites were called to destroy physical strongholds, Christians are called to demolish spiritual strongholds in their lives.

Trust in God's Promises
The fulfillment of God's promise to give the Israelites the land of Canaan encourages believers to trust in God's promises for their lives.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Joshua's obedience in destroying Hazor challenge us in our own obedience to God's commands today?

2. In what ways can the account of the conquest of Canaan help us understand the nature of spiritual warfare in the New Testament?

3. How does the complete destruction of Hazor reflect God's view of sin and idolatry, and how should this influence our attitude towards sin in our lives?

4. What are some "strongholds" in our lives that God might be calling us to completely destroy, and how can we go about doing this?

5. How can we apply the lessons of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to the Israelites to our own faith journey?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Deuteronomy 7:1-2
This passage provides the command from God to the Israelites to completely destroy the nations in Canaan, which is being fulfilled in Joshua 11:11.

Exodus 23:31-33
God promises to drive out the inhabitants of the land and commands the Israelites not to make covenants with them, which aligns with the actions taken in Joshua 11:11.

Judges 4-5
The later account of Deborah and Barak, where Hazor is again mentioned, showing the ongoing struggle with Canaanite forces.

1 Samuel 15:3
God's command to Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites, similar to the command given to Joshua regarding the Canaanites.