Joshua 11:17

[Even] from the mount Halak, that goeth up to Seir, even unto Baalgad in the valley of Lebanon under mount Hermon: and all their kings he took, and smote them, and slew them.

Even from the mount {H2022} Halak {H2510}, that goeth up {H5927} to Seir {H8165}, even unto Baalgad {H1171} in the valley {H1237} of Lebanon {H3844} under mount {H2022} Hermon {H2768}: and all their kings {H4428} he took {H3920}, and smote {H5221} them, and slew {H4191} them.

from the bare mountain that goes up to Se'ir to Ba'al-Gad in the L'vanon Valley under Mount Hermon; and he took all their kings, struck them and put them to death.

from Mount Halak, which rises toward Seir, as far as Baal-gad in the Valley of Lebanon at the foot of Mount Hermon. He captured all their kings and struck them down, putting them to death.

from mount Halak, that goeth up to Seir, even unto Baal-gad in the valley of Lebanon under mount Hermon: and all their kings he took, and smote them, and put them to death.

Commentary

Joshua 11:17 provides a sweeping summary of the geographical extent of the territory conquered by the Israelites under Joshua's leadership during the campaigns described in the preceding chapters. It marks the northern and southern boundaries of the land that was brought under Israelite control, following significant military victories.

Geographic Markers

This verse outlines the vast area covered by Joshua's conquests using distinct geographical points:

  • Mount Halak: Likely located in the southern Negeb region, possibly marking the southern limit of the conquered territory near the ascent to Seir. The name suggests a 'bare' or 'smooth' mountain.
  • Seir: The mountainous region associated with Edom, situated southeast of the Dead Sea. Its mention here helps define the southern extent of the land controlled by Israel after the campaigns.
  • Baalgad: Situated in the Valley of Lebanon under Mount Hermon, marking the northern limit of the conquered territory.
  • Valley of Lebanon: The Beqaa Valley, lying between the Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon mountain ranges.
  • Mount Hermon: A large mountain mass forming the northern border of the land.

These points delineate a significant portion of the land promised to Israel, stretching from the southern frontier towards Edom all the way north to the vicinity of Mount Hermon in modern-day Lebanon. This aligns with descriptions of the promised land's boundaries found elsewhere in scripture, such as Deuteronomy 11:24.

The Extent of the Conquest and Victory Over Kings

The verse emphasizes not just the land's boundaries but also the decisive victory over the local rulers within that territory. The phrase "and all their kings he took, and smote them, and slew them" highlights the comprehensive nature of the military success. Joshua systematically defeated and removed the leadership of the Canaanite city-states within this vast area. This was a crucial step in taking possession of the land, as it dismantled organized resistance and allowed for the subsequent settlement by the Israelite tribes. This summary precedes the detailed list of defeated kings in Joshua chapter 12.

Fulfillment of God's Promise

This sweeping statement of conquest from south to north, coupled with the defeat of the kings, serves as powerful evidence of God's faithfulness. The successful campaigns under Joshua were a direct fulfillment of the covenant promises God had made to Abraham and his descendants, particularly regarding the possession of the land (see Genesis 15:18). Despite the formidable challenge posed by the Canaanite nations, God empowered Israel to achieve this significant level of control.

Reflection

Joshua 11:17 is a summary statement of a major accomplishment enabled by God. It reminds us that when God commissions a task, He also provides the means and power for its completion, often resulting in comprehensive victory over obstacles. For believers today, this can be a reminder of God's ability to bring about complete spiritual victory in our lives and His faithfulness to fulfill His promises, even when the challenges seem insurmountable.

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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

  • Deuteronomy 7:24

    And he shall deliver their kings into thine hand, and thou shalt destroy their name from under heaven: there shall no man be able to stand before thee, until thou have destroyed them.

  • Joshua 11:3

    [And to] the Canaanite on the east and on the west, and [to] the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the mountains, and [to] the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpeh.

  • Joshua 13:5

    And the land of the Giblites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrising, from Baalgad under mount Hermon unto the entering into Hamath.

  • Genesis 32:3

    ¶ And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom.

  • Deuteronomy 33:2

    And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand [went] a fiery law for them.

  • Deuteronomy 2:1

    ¶ Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea, as the LORD spake unto me: and we compassed mount Seir many days.

  • Joshua 12:7

    ¶ And these [are] the kings of the country which Joshua and the children of Israel smote on this side Jordan on the west, from Baalgad in the valley of Lebanon even unto the mount Halak, that goeth up to Seir; which Joshua gave unto the tribes of Israel [for] a possession according to their divisions;
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