Joshua 11:16

So Joshua took all that land, the hills, and all the south country, and all the land of Goshen, and the valley, and the plain, and the mountain of Israel, and the valley of the same;

So Joshua {H3091} took {H3947} all that land {H776}, the hills {H2022}, and all the south country {H5045}, and all the land {H776} of Goshen {H1657}, and the valley {H8219}, and the plain {H6160}, and the mountain {H2022} of Israel {H3478}, and the valley {H8219} of the same;

So Y'hoshua captured all that land, the hills, the Negev, all the land of Goshen, the Sh'felah, the 'Aravah and the Isra'el hills and Sh'felah,

So Joshua took this entire region: the hill country, all the Negev, all the land of Goshen, the western foothills, the Arabah, and the mountains of Israel and their foothills,

So Joshua took all that land, the hill-country, and all the South, and all the land of Goshen, and the lowland, and the Arabah, and the hill-country of Israel, and the lowland of the same;

Commentary

Joshua 11:16 serves as a crucial summary statement in the Book of Joshua, highlighting the extensive success of the Israelite conquest of the land of Canaan under Joshua's leadership. This verse follows the detailed accounts of specific battles and victories, particularly the northern campaign, and provides a sweeping overview of the territory brought under Israelite control.

Context

This verse encapsulates the fulfillment of God's long-standing promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob regarding the land that would become Israel's inheritance. After the decisive defeat of various Canaanite kings, both in the south (Joshua 10) and the north (Joshua 11:1-15), Joshua 11:16 summarizes the vast geographical scope of the conquest. It lists diverse topographical regions, including "the hills" (referring to the central highlands of Judah and Ephraim), "all the south country" (the Negev desert region), "all the land of Goshen" (a specific fertile area in southern Judah, distinct from the Goshen in Egypt), "the valley," "the plain," and "the mountain of Israel." This comprehensive list underscores the thoroughness of the campaign, indicating that significant portions of the promised land were now under Israelite dominion, preparing the way for the tribal allotments.

Key Themes

  • Fulfillment of Divine Promise: The most prominent theme is God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant with Abraham, delivering the land He promised centuries earlier. Joshua's actions are presented as the direct instrument of this divine plan.
  • Thoroughness of Conquest: The detailed geographical listing emphasizes that the Israelites did not merely skim the surface but took possession of diverse and significant regions, from mountains to valleys, plains to hills. This comprehensive takeover was essential for establishing their new nation.
  • Divine Sovereignty and Human Obedience: While Joshua led the charge, the ultimate success was attributed to God's power and guidance, coupled with Joshua's unwavering obedience to divine commands, as seen throughout the book (e.g., Joshua 1:7).
  • Foundation for Inheritance: This verse sets the stage for the subsequent division of the land among the tribes of Israel, as detailed in the later chapters of Joshua, confirming their rightful inheritance.

Practical Application

Joshua 11:16 offers several enduring lessons for believers today:

  • God's Faithfulness: Just as God fulfilled His ancient promises to Israel concerning the land, we can trust in His faithfulness to His promises to us, whether for provision, protection, or spiritual blessing. His character is unchanging.
  • The Importance of Obedience: Joshua's success was directly linked to his obedience to God's commands. Similarly, our spiritual progress and ability to "take possession" of God's blessings in our lives often hinge on our willingness to obey His word.
  • Claiming Our Inheritance: While we do not inherit a physical land, believers have a spiritual inheritance in Christ (e.g., Ephesians 1:11). This verse encourages us to actively "take" or appropriate the spiritual realities and blessings that are ours in Him, living out our faith boldly.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Joshua 10:41

    And Joshua smote them from Kadeshbarnea even unto Gaza, and all the country of Goshen, even unto Gibeon.

  • Joshua 11:21

    And at that time came Joshua, and cut off the Anakims from the mountains, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the mountains of Judah, and from all the mountains of Israel: Joshua destroyed them utterly with their cities.

  • Joshua 12:8

    In the mountains, and in the valleys, and in the plains, and in the springs, and in the wilderness, and in the south country; the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites:

  • Ezekiel 17:23

    In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell.

  • Numbers 34:2

    Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land of Canaan; (this [is] the land that shall fall unto you for an inheritance, [even] the land of Canaan with the coasts thereof:)

  • Numbers 34:13

    And Moses commanded the children of Israel, saying, This [is] the land which ye shall inherit by lot, which the LORD commanded to give unto the nine tribes, and to the half tribe:

  • Ezekiel 36:8

    But ye, O mountains of Israel, ye shall shoot forth your branches, and yield your fruit to my people of Israel; for they are at hand to come.
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