Joshua 10:11

And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, [and] were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: [they were] more which died with hailstones than [they] whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.

And it came to pass, as they fled {H5127} from before {H6440} Israel {H3478}, and were in the going down {H4174} to Bethhoron {H1032}, that the LORD {H3068} cast down {H7993} great {H1419} stones {H68} from heaven {H8064} upon them unto Azekah {H5825}, and they died {H4191}: they were more {H7227} which died {H4191} with hailstones {H1259}{H68} than they whom {H834} the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} slew {H2026} with the sword {H2719}.

As they fled before Isra'el down the road to Beit-Horon, ADONAI threw huge hailstones down on them all the way to 'Azekah, and they died; more died because of the hail than because Isra'el had killed them with the sword.

As they fled before Israel along the descent from Beth-horon to Azekah, the LORD cast down on them large hailstones from the sky, and more of them were killed by the hailstones than by the swords of the Israelites.

And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, while they were at the descent of Beth-horon, that Jehovah cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more who died with the hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.

Commentary

Joshua 10:11 records a pivotal moment during Israel's conquest of Canaan, highlighting the direct and powerful intervention of God on behalf of His people. This verse describes a miraculous event that occurred during the battle against the five Amorite kings who had attacked Gibeon.

Context

Following the deception by the Gibeonites and Joshua's subsequent treaty with them, a coalition of five Amorite kings (from Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon) formed an alliance to attack Gibeon. The Gibeonites, now under Israel's protection, sent for Joshua's aid. Joshua led a swift, all-night march from Gilgal to Gibeon and launched a surprise attack, routing the Amorite forces. As the enemy fled down the strategic pass of Bethhoron towards Azekah, God Himself intervened in a spectacular way, as detailed in this verse and the preceding rout described in Joshua 10:10, followed by the miracle of the sun standing still.

Key Themes

  • Divine Intervention and Sovereignty: The primary message is that the victory was not solely by Israel's might but overwhelmingly by God's direct hand. The "great stones from heaven" were a supernatural act, demonstrating God's absolute control over creation and His active participation in the affairs of humanity. This echoes the promise that the LORD your God will fight for you.
  • God's Power and Judgment: The hailstones were a divine weapon, far more lethal than the swords of Israel. The verse explicitly states that "more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword." This showcases God's immense power and His judgment upon those who opposed His chosen people and His plan for the land of Canaan. Such divine judgment through natural phenomena is seen elsewhere, such as the plague of hail in Egypt.
  • Fulfillment of Promise: This miracle served as a powerful confirmation of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises to give Israel the land of Canaan. It reaffirmed His presence and support for Joshua and the nation as they undertook the daunting task of conquest.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "great stones from heaven" is clarified later in the verse as "hailstones." The Hebrew word for hailstones is barad (Χ‘ΦΈΦΌΧ¨ΦΈΧ“). While hailstorms can be naturally occurring, the description here implies a supernatural intensity, precise targeting, and devastating effect far beyond a typical weather event. The sheer volume and lethality of these hailstones, specifically aimed at the fleeing enemies, mark it as a miraculous act of God's direct intervention, not merely a coincidence. This event is a testament to God's mastery over all elements of creation, using them as instruments of His will.

Practical Application

Joshua 10:11 reminds believers that God is not a distant deity but an active participant in the lives of His people. When facing overwhelming challenges or seemingly insurmountable enemies, this verse encourages us to remember that God can intervene in ways beyond human comprehension. It reinforces the truth that if God be for us, who can be against us? We are called to trust in His sovereign power and to walk in obedience, knowing that He is able to fight our battles and bring about His purposes, even through extraordinary means. This account instills confidence in God's ability to protect and provide for those who are faithful to Him.

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Cross-References

  • Isaiah 28:2 (6 votes)

    Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, [which] as a tempest of hail [and] a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand.

  • Exodus 9:22 (4 votes)

    ΒΆ And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch forth thine hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man, and upon beast, and upon every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.

  • Exodus 9:26 (4 votes)

    Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel [were], was there no hail.

  • Judges 5:20 (4 votes)

    They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera.

  • Revelation 11:19 (3 votes)

    And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

  • Psalms 77:17 (3 votes)

    The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad.

  • Psalms 77:18 (3 votes)

    The voice of thy thunder [was] in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.