Joshua 11:18

KJV

Joshua made war a long time with all those kings.

KJV (with Strong's)

Joshua {H3091} made {H6213} war {H4421} a long {H7227} time {H3117} with all those kings {H4428}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Y'hoshua made war with all those kings for a long time.

Berean Standard Bible

Joshua waged war against all these kings for a long period of time.

American Standard Version

Joshua made war a long time with all those kings.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 11:18 provides a crucial summary statement, underscoring the arduous and protracted nature of Israel's conquest of the Promised Land under Joshua's divinely appointed leadership. Far from a swift, singular victory, this verse highlights that the process of dispossessing the numerous Canaanite nations and their rulers was a prolonged, demanding campaign, requiring sustained effort and perseverance over an extended period, even amidst the miraculous intervention and unwavering faithfulness of God. It serves as a retrospective observation on the major military phase of the conquest before the narrative shifts to the land's division.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 11:18 functions as a pivotal concluding statement for the major military campaigns detailed in the first half of the book of Joshua, specifically chapters 1-11. It immediately follows the comprehensive account of the northern campaign, where Joshua decisively defeated a formidable coalition of kings led by Jabin of Hazor, as meticulously described in [Joshua 11:1-15](/joshua/11-1-15 "Joshua 11:1-15 - The Northern Campaign and Defeat of Hazor"). This verse acts as a retrospective summary, providing a broad observation on the entire conquest period before the narrative transitions to the detailed division of the land among the Israelite tribes, beginning in [Joshua 13](/joshua/13 "Joshua 13 - Division of the Land Among the Tribes") and extending through [Joshua 19](/joshua/19 "Joshua 19 - Allotment for Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan"). It emphasizes that the complete subjugation of the land, despite initial swift and miraculous victories like the fall of Jericho and Ai, was not an instantaneous event but required significant time and sustained military effort, thereby setting the stage for the subsequent distribution and settlement.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The land of Canaan during the Late Bronze Age (roughly 1550-1200 BC), the period of the Israelite conquest, was characterized by a fragmented political landscape. It was not a unified empire but a patchwork of numerous independent city-states, each typically governed by its own "king" (a local ruler), possessing its own army, and often protected by formidable fortifications. These city-states frequently formed temporary coalitions for defense against external threats, as vividly illustrated by the southern kings' alliance in [Joshua 10](/joshua/10 "Joshua 10 - The Southern Campaign and the Sun Stands Still") and the northern kings' coalition in [Joshua 11](/joshua/11 "Joshua 11 - The Northern Campaign against Jabin"). The "long time" of war mentioned in [Joshua 11:18](/joshua/11-18 "Joshua 11:18 - The Protracted War") accurately reflects the historical reality of conquering such a resilient and fragmented region, which necessitated numerous sieges, pitched battles, and the systematic dislodging of entrenched populations over an extended period. The Israelites, though divinely empowered, were engaged in conventional warfare within the geopolitical norms of their era.
* **Key Themes:** This verse profoundly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Joshua and the broader Pentateuchal narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Faithfulness and Human Perseverance**. God had unequivocally promised the land to Abraham's descendants, as articulated in [Genesis 15:18-21](/genesis/15-18-21 "Genesis 15:18-21 - God's Covenant with Abraham Regarding the Land"), but its full inheritance required Israel's active, sustained obedience and engagement in warfare. The "long time" highlights that God's promises often unfold through a process that demands enduring faith and persistent effort from His people. Secondly, it emphasizes the **Scope of the Conquest and the Magnitude of Opposition**. The phrase "all those kings" vividly portrays the widespread and formidable resistance Israel faced across the entire land, underscoring the immense scale of the task and, by extension, the overwhelming power of God in granting victory despite such odds. Finally, it subtly reinforces the theme of **Total Dispossession**, a stringent divine command given in [Deuteronomy 7:1-5](/deuteronomy/7-1-5 "Deuteronomy 7:1-5 - Command to Drive Out and Destroy the Nations"), which necessitated a comprehensive and prolonged military effort to cleanse the land of idolatry and prepare it for Israel's settlement as a holy nation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **war (Hebrew, _milchâmâh'_):** This term (מִלְחָמָה, H4421) refers specifically to military conflict, battle, or warfare. Its usage here emphasizes that Joshua's leadership was characterized by active, sustained, and often brutal military engagement, rather than a passive or immediate occupation of the land. It highlights the physical, strategic, and often bloody demands placed upon Israel in fulfilling God's command to conquer Canaan.
* **time (Hebrew, _yôwm'_):** The Hebrew word (יוֹם, H3117) fundamentally means "day," but as seen in its broader usage, it can denote a "space of time defined by an associated term," often used adverbially to indicate duration. When combined with the preceding Hebrew word `rab` (H7227, "abundant" or "long"), the phrase `rab yom` (rendered "a long time") emphatically conveys an extended duration, signifying that the conquest spanned many days, months, or even years, dispelling any notion of an effortless or immediate victory.
* **kings (Hebrew, _melek'_):** This word (מֶלֶךְ, H4428) refers to a monarch or ruler. The plural form, `melachim`, points to the numerous independent city-state rulers across Canaan. This plural usage underscores the fragmented political landscape of the land and the widespread, organized opposition Israel encountered, necessitating multiple, distinct campaigns against various sovereign entities rather than a single, unified empire.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Joshua made war":** This clause establishes Joshua's central and active role as the divinely appointed military commander. It indicates that the inheritance of the land was not a passive gift but required Joshua's strategic leadership and the active participation of the Israelite army in direct conflict, fulfilling God's mandate through human agency.
* **"a long time":** This phrase is a crucial temporal indicator, directly addressing the duration of the conquest. It signifies that the process of dispossessing the Canaanites was not a swift, singular event but a protracted, arduous, and multi-year endeavor. This highlights the immense perseverance and endurance required from both Joshua and the Israelite army throughout the campaign.
* **"with all those kings":** This final phrase defines the comprehensive nature of the opposition and the scope of the conflict. It indicates that Israel's warfare was not limited to a few major battles or against a single dominant power but involved extensive engagements against numerous independent rulers and their armies throughout the entire land of Canaan, underscoring the vast and challenging scope of the military undertaking.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 11:18 functions primarily as a **Summary Statement**, providing a concise and authoritative overview of the protracted period of military conquest that preceded it. It distills a multi-year span of intense campaigns into a single, impactful sentence. The phrase "all those kings" can be interpreted as a form of **Generalization** or **Synecdoche**, where "kings" serves to represent the entirety of the opposing forces and their respective city-states, emphasizing the widespread nature of the resistance rather than a literal enumeration of every single monarch. The deliberate inclusion of the phrase "a long time" serves as a powerful **Emphasis**, underscoring the arduous and protracted nature of the conquest. This emphasis highlights the unwavering perseverance of Joshua and the Israelites, and ultimately, the steadfast faithfulness of God in sustaining them through such an extended and demanding conflict.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 11:18 profoundly illustrates the theological principle that while God's promises are absolutely certain and His power is supreme, their fulfillment often involves a process that requires human participation, sustained effort, and divine endurance. The "long time" of war is a testament to God's faithfulness in sustaining His people through arduous tasks, even when the path to promised blessing is prolonged and challenging. It also highlights the reality of spiritual warfare, where ultimate victory is assured by God but requires active engagement, unwavering faith, and perseverance from believers. The comprehensive nature of the conquest against "all those kings" underscores God's omnipotence and His ability to overcome all opposition, however widespread or formidable, in order to fulfill His covenant purposes and establish His people in their inheritance.

* [Numbers 33:50-56](/numbers/33-50-56 "Numbers 33:50-56 - Command to Dispossess the Land and Its Consequences")
* [Deuteronomy 9:4-5](/deuteronomy/9-4-5 "Deuteronomy 9:4-5 - Not by Israel's Righteousness, but by God's Judgment")
* [Judges 1:1-2:5](/judges/1-1-2-5 "Judges 1:1-2:5 - Incomplete Conquest and the Angel of the Lord's Rebuke")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 11:18 offers a profound and enduring lesson for contemporary believers: the Christian life, much like the conquest of Canaan, is often a marathon, not a sprint. Spiritual growth, overcoming entrenched sins, cultivating godly character, or seeing God's purposes unfold in our lives and communities rarely happens instantly or without sustained effort. We, too, face "kings"—entrenched habits, spiritual strongholds, societal pressures, personal trials, or systemic injustices—that require sustained spiritual warfare and unwavering perseverance. This verse reminds us that God is with us through the "long time," equipping us for the battle and empowering us to endure. It encourages us not to be discouraged by the length or difficulty of a challenge but to press on in faith, trusting that God's ultimate victory is assured and that He will complete the good work He began in us. Our faithfulness in the long haul reflects our trust in His perfect timing and omnipotent power, knowing that His strength is made perfect in our weakness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "long wars" or protracted challenges are you currently facing in your spiritual journey or personal life, and how might this verse encourage you to persevere?**
* **How does the idea of God being with Joshua through a "long time" of conflict provide comfort and strength for your own seasons of extended difficulty or waiting?**
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to grow weary or give up due to the perceived length or difficulty of the struggle, and how can this verse inspire renewed perseverance and reliance on God?**

### FAQ
**Why did the conquest take "a long time" if God was fighting for Israel?**

Answer: While God indeed fought miraculously for Israel, as seen in events like the miraculous fall of Jericho in [Joshua 6:20](/joshua/6-20 "Joshua 6:20 - The Walls of Jericho Fall") or the divine intervention of hailstones at Gibeon in [Joshua 10:11](/joshua/10-11 "Joshua 10:11 - The Lord Throws Down Great Stones from Heaven"), Israel was still required to actively participate in the conquest as an act of obedience and faith. The "long time" reflects the strategic and practical reality of dispossessing numerous fortified city-states, each with its own army, across a vast geographical area. It also served several divine purposes: to test Israel's obedience and reliance on God, to allow the land to be filled gradually without becoming desolate (as indicated in [Exodus 23:29-30](/exodus/23-29-30 "Exodus 23:29-30 - Gradual Dispossession of the Land")), and to demonstrate God's sustained faithfulness through a prolonged period of human effort and dependence.

**Does this verse imply a failure on Joshua's part or an incomplete conquest?**

Answer: No, quite the opposite. Joshua 11:18 highlights the *extent* and *thoroughness* of Joshua's leadership in the conquest. It is a testament to his faithfulness, diligence, and perseverance in leading Israel through a comprehensive and arduous campaign, rather than indicating any deficiency. The book of Joshua concludes by explicitly stating that Joshua "took the whole land, according to all that the Lord had said to Moses" in [Joshua 11:23](/joshua/11-23 "Joshua 11:23 - Joshua Takes the Whole Land"). While pockets of resistance and un-conquered territories remained (which the book of Judges later details as a consequence of Israel's *subsequent* failures), Joshua 11:18 emphasizes that the *major* military phase against the organized Canaanite kingdoms was completed under Joshua's long and diligent leadership, fulfilling God's initial command for the primary dispossession.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua's "long war" against "all those kings" finds its ultimate fulfillment and deeper meaning in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ, the greater Joshua. While the Old Testament Joshua led a physical conquest of a literal land, Christ came to establish a spiritual kingdom and wage a decisive spiritual war against sin, death, and the forces of darkness. His victory on the cross was a once-for-all, definitive triumph over the "principalities and powers," disarming them and leading them in triumph, as beautifully articulated in [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers"). This secured eternal salvation for all who believe. However, just as Joshua's war was prolonged and required sustained effort, the Christian life for believers is a "long time" of spiritual warfare and progressive sanctification. We are called to "put on the whole armor of God" to stand against the schemes of the devil, as exhorted in [Ephesians 6:11](/ephesians/6-11 "Ephesians 6:11 - The Full Armor of God"), and to "fight the good fight of faith," laying hold of eternal life, as admonished in [1 Timothy 6:12](/1_timothy/6-12 "1 Timothy 6:12 - Fight the Good Fight of Faith"). Our struggle is not against "flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places," as revealed in [Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Our Struggle Against Spiritual Forces"). Through Christ, we are assured of ultimate victory, for He has already "overcome the the world" ([John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Christ Has Overcome the World")). The "long time" of Joshua's war thus points to the enduring nature of our walk with Christ, a journey of sustained obedience, patient endurance, and unwavering reliance on His strength until His glorious return, when all enemies will be finally and completely subdued under His feet ([1 Corinthians 15:25](/1_corinthians/15-25 "1 Corinthians 15:25 - Christ Must Reign Until All Enemies are Under His Feet")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Joshua 11:23

So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war.

Joshua 14:7

Forty years old [was] I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as [it was] in mine heart.

Joshua 14:10

And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while [the children of] Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I [am] this day fourscore and five years old.