Joshua 11:2

KJV

And to the kings that [were] on the north of the mountains, and of the plains south of Chinneroth, and in the valley, and in the borders of Dor on the west,

KJV (with Strong's)

And to the kings {H4428} that were on the north {H6828} of the mountains {H2022}, and of the plains {H6160} south {H5045} of Chinneroth {H3672}, and in the valley {H8219}, and in the borders {H5299} of Dor {H1756} on the west {H3220},

Complete Jewish Bible

the kings to the north, in the hills, in the 'Aravah south of Kinn'rot, in the Sh'felah and in the regions of Dor on the west;

Berean Standard Bible

to the kings of the north in the mountains, in the Arabah south of Chinnereth, in the foothills, and in Naphoth-dor to the west;

American Standard Version

and to the kings that were on the north, in the hill-country, and in the Arabah south of Chinneroth, and in the lowland, and in the heights of Dor on the west,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 11:2 provides a meticulous geographical enumeration of the diverse northern Canaanite kings who formed a formidable confederacy under Jabin of Hazor. This verse highlights the widespread and strategically significant origins of the opposition Israel faced, encompassing rulers from mountainous regions, fertile plains, valleys, and the crucial coastal borders. It powerfully underscores the immense scale of the challenge confronting Joshua's campaign, thereby setting the stage for a climactic battle that would ultimately magnify God's sovereign power and unwavering faithfulness in delivering the Promised Land to His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 11:2 is an integral component of the narrative detailing Israel's northern campaign, which represents the final major military phase of the conquest of Canaan. Following the decisive victories in the central highlands (as seen in [Joshua 8](/joshua/8 "Joshua 8 - The Conquest of Ai")) and the successful southern campaign (documented in [Joshua 10](/joshua/10 "Joshua 10 - The Southern Campaign")), this chapter shifts the geographical focus to the powerful city-states in the north. Verse 1 introduces Jabin, the influential king of Hazor, as the orchestrator of this grand alliance. Verse 2 then meticulously elaborates on the vast geographical scope of this confederacy, listing the diverse regions from which these allied kings and their armies assembled. This detailed enumeration serves to emphasize the sheer scale and formidable nature of the threat, preparing the reader for the description of their immense numbers in [Joshua 11:4](/joshua/11-4 "Joshua 11:4 - The Vast Canaanite Army") and the subsequent decisive battle at the Waters of Merom ([Joshua 11:5-9](/joshua/11-5-9 "Joshua 11:5-9 - Victory at the Waters of Merom")), culminating in the complete destruction of Hazor itself ([Joshua 11:10-15](/joshua/11-10-15 "Joshua 11:10-15 - Destruction of Hazor")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** During the Late Bronze Age (c. 1550-1200 BCE), Canaan was a political landscape fragmented into numerous independent city-states, each governed by its own king. These city-states frequently formed temporary alliances, often for mutual defense against common threats or for offensive military campaigns. Hazor, explicitly mentioned in [Joshua 11:1](/joshua/11-1 "Joshua 11:1 - Jabin Gathers Kings"), was widely recognized as the largest and most influential city-state in northern Canaan, making its king, Jabin, the natural and undisputed leader of such a formidable coalition. The geographical markers detailed in verse 2—"north of the mountains" (likely referring to the central highlands and Upper Galilee), "plains south of Chinneroth" (the fertile Jordan Valley/Galilee region), "valley" (various lowlands and wadis), and "borders of Dor on the west" (the vital Mediterranean coastal plain)—point to key strategic, agriculturally rich, and commercially important areas. This widespread alliance demonstrates a unified and desperate attempt by the Canaanite powers to resist Israel's divinely mandated expansion, which directly threatened their established control over lucrative trade routes and productive agricultural lands.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully underscores the overarching theme of **Divine Sovereignty Amidst Human Opposition**. Despite the overwhelming human confederacy detailed here, God's unwavering promise to give Israel the land ([Deuteronomy 1:8](/deuteronomy/1-8 "Deuteronomy 1:8 - The Promised Land, a Divine Promise")) remains the ultimate and unchangeable reality. The extensive listing of diverse regions and kings highlights the **Comprehensive Nature of the Conquest**, demonstrating that Israel's mission was to dispossess *all* the inhabitants of the land, from the rugged mountains to the fertile coast, leaving no stronghold untouched by God's judgment. Furthermore, the sheer scale of the alliance described in [Joshua 11:2](/joshua/11-2 "Joshua 11:2 - Geographical Scope of the Northern Confederacy") serves to dramatically magnify the **Magnitude of God's Subsequent Victory**. The defeat of such a vast, geographically dispersed, and seemingly insurmountable enemy could only be attributed to divine intervention, echoing the miraculous victories recounted earlier in the book, such as the astonishing fall of Jericho in [Joshua 6](/joshua/6 "Joshua 6 - The Fall of Jericho").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **King (Hebrew, _melek'_):** From the root `מָלַךְ` (malak), meaning "to reign" or "to be king." This term refers to the sovereign rulers of the various Canaanite city-states. In Joshua 11:2, the plural "kings" emphasizes the multi-faceted and widespread nature of the opposition, indicating a confederacy rather than a single dominant power, though Jabin of Hazor was clearly the primary instigator. The presence of numerous kings signifies a broad mobilization of forces across diverse territories.
* **Chinneroth (Hebrew, _Kinnᵉrôwth'_):** Or `כִּנֶּרֶת` (Kinneret). This refers to the region surrounding the Sea of Galilee, which was also known as the Sea of Chinnereth (e.g., [Numbers 34:11](/numbers/34-11 "Numbers 34:11 - Borders of the Promised Land")). Its name is thought to be derived from the Hebrew word for "harp" (`כִּנּוֹר`, kinnor), possibly due to the lake's distinctive shape. The "plains south of Chinneroth" would indicate the fertile lowlands near the lake, a highly productive agricultural area and a strategically important corridor in the Jordan Rift Valley, highlighting the economic and military significance of this part of the alliance.
* **Dor (Hebrew, _Dôwr'_):** An ancient and significant city located on the Mediterranean coast, south of Mount Carmel. Dor was a major port and trade center throughout various periods of antiquity, known for its strategic position along the Via Maris, a crucial coastal trade route. Its mention signifies that the coalition included kings from the vital coastal plain, extending the reach of the enemy alliance all the way to the western sea and encompassing a wide array of Canaanite power centers, demonstrating the comprehensive nature of the opposition.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And to the kings that [were] on the north of the mountains":** This phrase refers to rulers whose territories lay in the highland regions situated to the north of Israel's central settlements. This likely encompasses parts of Upper Galilee and potentially the southern reaches of the Lebanon range, indicating opposition stemming from the rugged and elevated terrain, which often served as natural strongholds for defense.
* **"and of the plains south of Chinneroth":** This specifies kings from the fertile lowlands located to the south of the Sea of Galilee (Chinneroth). This region, part of the Jordan Rift Valley, was agriculturally productive and served as a key strategic corridor for movement and trade, making its control vital for dominance in the northern territory and signifying a well-resourced component of the alliance.
* **"and in the valley":** This general term likely refers to other various low-lying plains, wadis, and valleys across the northern region, indicating that the alliance was not confined to specific major geographical features but drew from diverse topographical areas. This demonstrates a broad mobilization of forces, encompassing rulers from various types of terrain beyond just the major mountains and plains.
* **"and in the borders of Dor on the west":** This points to kings from the coastal region, specifically those whose domains bordered the significant port city of Dor. This inclusion demonstrates the confederacy's extensive reach, extending all the way to the Mediterranean Sea, signifying a truly comprehensive and formidable alliance uniting both inland, mountainous, and coastal powers against Israel.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Geographical Listing** and **Enumeration**. This meticulous cataloging of specific regions and topographical features serves to emphasize the vastness, diversity, and comprehensive nature of the Canaanite opposition. By precisely naming locations ranging from the northern mountain ranges to the fertile plains south of Chinneroth, various general valleys, and the strategic coastal borders of Dor, the text highlights the formidable and widespread challenge Israel faced. This technique not only provides precise geographical context for the ancient reader but also dramatically magnifies the scale of God's subsequent victory. The sheer scope of the alliance underscores that Israel's triumph was not due to human strength or strategic advantage but was a miraculous intervention, thereby attributing the conquest entirely to divine power and faithfulness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 11:2, by detailing the immense and geographically diverse confederacy opposing Israel, serves a crucial theological purpose: it magnifies the power and faithfulness of God. The overwhelming odds faced by Israel highlight that their eventual victory was not a result of superior military might or strategic cunning, but a direct fulfillment of God's covenant promises to deliver the land into their hands. This passage underscores the profound theological truth that God often allows His people to face seemingly insurmountable challenges so that His glory might be unmistakably revealed in their deliverance, reinforcing absolute dependence on divine intervention. It is a powerful testament to the truth that when God is for us, no alliance, however formidable or widespread, can successfully stand against His sovereign purposes.

* [Deuteronomy 7:1-2](/deuteronomy/7-1-2 "Deuteronomy 7:1-2 - Command to Destroy Canaanites")
* [Psalm 20:7](/psalms/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Name of the Lord")
* [Romans 8:31](/romans/8-31 "Romans 8:31 - God is For Us")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 11:2, though a precise geographical listing of ancient enemies, offers profound and enduring insights for contemporary believers. It paints a vivid picture of a unified, widespread, and strategically positioned opposition. In our spiritual journeys, we often encounter challenges that feel similarly overwhelming—whether they are personal struggles, societal pressures, spiritual battles, or even the sheer magnitude of global brokenness. This verse powerfully reminds us that the scope and strength of our adversaries do not in any way diminish God's infinite power or His unwavering commitment to His promises. Just as Israel was called to trust in God's miraculous deliverance against a formidable confederacy, we are called to lean into His inexhaustible strength when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds. Our focus should never be on the daunting magnitude of the opposition, but rather on the omnipotence and faithfulness of the One who fights for us, ensuring that His victory, not merely our own effort, is ultimately displayed. This passage encourages us to identify the "confederacies" in our own lives—those things that seem too big or too numerous to overcome—and to respond with unwavering faith, knowing that God is infinitely greater than any challenge we may face.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "confederacies" or overwhelming challenges are you currently facing in your life, whether personal, professional, or spiritual, that seem to defy your own strength?**
* **How does the detailed description of Israel's geographically diverse enemies in this verse encourage you to trust more deeply in God's power rather than relying solely on your own resources or strategies?**
* **In what specific ways can recognizing the "scope of opposition" in your life lead to greater dependence on God's intervention and less on self-reliance or human solutions?**

### FAQ
**Why does the text list so many geographical locations for the kings?**

Answer: The detailed geographical listing in [Joshua 11:2](/joshua/11-2 "Joshua 11:2 - Geographical Scope of the Northern Confederacy") serves several crucial purposes. First, it powerfully emphasizes the sheer scale and comprehensive nature of the opposition Israel faced, indicating that this was not a localized skirmish but a widespread, united front of Canaanite city-states from across the entire northern region. Second, it highlights the strategic importance of the regions involved—from fertile plains vital for agriculture to crucial coastal trade routes and formidable mountainous strongholds—underscoring the immense magnitude of the territory Israel was divinely commanded to conquer. Finally, by meticulously detailing the formidable nature of the enemy, the text profoundly magnifies the subsequent divine victory, making it abundantly clear that Israel's triumph was not due to their own strength or military prowess but to God's miraculous and sovereign intervention, as powerfully demonstrated in [Joshua 11:8](/joshua/11-8 "Joshua 11:8 - Joshua's Decisive Victory at Merom").

**What is the significance of "Chinneroth" and "Dor" in this verse?**

Answer: "Chinneroth" refers to the region surrounding the Sea of Galilee, a key agricultural area and a major freshwater source in the northern part of the land. Its mention signifies the involvement of kings from the fertile northern plains and the strategically important Jordan Rift Valley. "Dor" was a significant ancient port city located on the Mediterranean coast, south of Mount Carmel, known for its strategic position along the Via Maris, a crucial trade route. Its inclusion indicates that the confederacy extended all the way to the western sea, encompassing powerful coastal entities. The specific mention of these strategically important and geographically diverse locations demonstrates the wide geographical reach of the Canaanite alliance, encompassing both inland and coastal powers, thereby underscoring the truly formidable and comprehensive challenge Israel was up against in its divinely appointed mission to possess the entire Promised Land.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 11:2, with its vivid depiction of a vast, unified opposition against God's people poised to enter their promised inheritance, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate spiritual battle against the forces of darkness, which culminated in Christ's decisive victory. Just as the Canaanite kings confederated against Israel's entry into the physical Promised Land, so too do the spiritual "principalities and powers" ([Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Spiritual Warfare")) oppose the advancement of God's kingdom and the spiritual inheritance of His people. Yet, the overwhelming victory granted to Joshua over this formidable alliance points directly to the decisive and complete triumph of Jesus Christ. Through His sacrificial death on the cross and glorious resurrection, Christ disarmed and triumphed over all spiritual adversaries, making a public spectacle of them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")), securing for believers a spiritual inheritance far greater and more enduring than any earthly land. He is the true Joshua, leading His people not into a physical territory, but into eternal life, freedom from sin, and ultimate victory over death, fulfilling the promise of a new heaven and new earth where righteousness dwells forever ([2 Peter 3:13](/2_peter/3-13 "2 Peter 3:13 - New Heavens and New Earth")). In Christ, the scope of the enemy's power is ultimately rendered impotent, and His people are guaranteed a share in His glorious reign and eternal inheritance ([Revelation 20:6](/revelation/20-6 "Revelation 20:6 - Reign with Christ")).

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

Judges 1:27

Neither did Manasseh drive out [the inhabitants of] Bethshean and her towns, nor Taanach and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns: but the Canaanites would dwell in that land.

Joshua 12:3

And from the plain to the sea of Chinneroth on the east, and unto the sea of the plain, [even] the salt sea on the east, the way to Bethjeshimoth; and from the south, under Ashdothpisgah:

Joshua 17:11

And Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher Bethshean and her towns, and Ibleam and her towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Endor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Taanach and her towns, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns, [even] three countries.

Numbers 34:11

And the coast shall go down from Shepham to Riblah, on the east side of Ain; and the border shall descend, and shall reach unto the side of the sea of Chinnereth eastward:

Joshua 12:23

The king of Dor in the coast of Dor, one; the king of the nations of Gilgal, one;

1 Kings 4:11

The son of Abinadab, in all the region of Dor; which had Taphath the daughter of Solomon to wife:

Joshua 13:27

And in the valley, Betharam, and Bethnimrah, and Succoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, Jordan and [his] border, [even] unto the edge of the sea of Chinnereth on the other side Jordan eastward.