Joshua 11:20

KJV

For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, [and] that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses.

KJV (with Strong's)

For it was of the LORD {H3068} to harden {H2388} their hearts {H3820}, that they should come against {H7125} Israel {H3478} in battle {H4421}, that he might destroy them utterly {H2763}, and that they might have no favour {H8467}, but that he might destroy {H8045} them, as the LORD {H3068} commanded {H6680} Moses {H4872}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For it was ADONAI who caused them to harden their hearts and come against Isra'el in battle, so that they would be utterly destroyed, so that they would not find favor but be destroyed, in keeping with the orders ADONAI had given Moshe.

Berean Standard Bible

For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts to engage Israel in battle, so that they would be set apart for destruction and would receive no mercy, being annihilated as the LORD had commanded Moses.

American Standard Version

For it was of Jehovah to harden their hearts, to come against Israel in battle, that he might utterly destroy them, that they might have no favor, but that he might destroy them, as Jehovah commanded Moses.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 11:20 offers a profound theological explanation for the persistent resistance of the Canaanite kings and peoples during the Israelite conquest, particularly in the northern campaign. It asserts that the LORD Himself divinely orchestrated the hardening of their hearts, compelling them to engage Israel in battle. This sovereign act served a specific, predetermined purpose: to ensure their utter destruction and preclude any possibility of peace or favor, thereby fulfilling the explicit commands of judgment previously given by God to Moses concerning the inhabitants of the land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a crucial theological interjection immediately following Joshua's decisive victory over the formidable northern coalition at the Waters of Merom, as detailed in [Joshua 11:1-9](/joshua/11-1 "Joshua 11:1-9 - Israel's Victory Over Northern Kings"). The preceding narrative highlights the overwhelming numerical and military superiority of the Canaanite forces, including chariots and horses, which were then utterly defeated by Israel, showcasing God's miraculous power and faithfulness. [Joshua 11:10-15](/joshua/11-10-15 "Joshua 11:10-15 - Further Conquests and Fulfillment of God's Word") then describes the subsequent capture and destruction of Hazor, the head of these northern kingdoms. Joshua 11:20 explains *why* these nations did not seek terms of peace, as some cities had (e.g., Gibeon in [Joshua 9](/joshua/9 "Joshua 9 - The Gibeonite Deception")). It clarifies that their continued, unyielding opposition was not merely a matter of human stubbornness but a divinely orchestrated event designed to bring about God's righteous judgment and the complete fulfillment of His commands for the land's purification.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Canaanite nations inhabited a strategically vital land bridge, and their culture was deeply entrenched in polytheism, involving abhorrent practices such as child sacrifice ([Leviticus 18:21](/leviticus/18-21 "Leviticus 18:21 - Prohibition Against Child Sacrifice")), cultic prostitution ([Deuteronomy 23:17-18](/deuteronomy/23-17-18 "Deuteronomy 23:17-18 - Prohibitions Against Prostitution and Cultic Prostitution")), and widespread idolatry. These practices were considered an abomination to the LORD, rendering the land "unclean" and causing it to "vomit out its inhabitants" ([Leviticus 18:24-25](/leviticus/18-24-25 "Leviticus 18:24-25 - Consequences of Abominations")). God's command for *herem* (utter destruction) against certain Canaanite groups was a unique, divinely mandated act of judgment, not a general license for warfare. It was a judicial execution of nations whose "iniquity was not yet complete" in Abraham's time ([Genesis 15:16](/genesis/15-16 "Genesis 15:16 - The Iniquity of the Amorites")), but had now reached its full measure. The hardening of their hearts ensured that this judgment, long foretold, would be fully executed without compromise, preventing the spiritual contamination of Israel.
* **Key Themes:** Joshua 11:20 powerfully underscores several central themes within the book of Joshua and the broader Old Testament narrative. Foremost is **Divine Sovereignty**, asserting God's absolute control over human will and historical outcomes. The verse explicitly states that "it was of the LORD to harden their hearts," demonstrating His active orchestration of events to fulfill His predetermined purposes, even through the resistance of His enemies. This leads directly to the theme of **Divine Judgment**, as the hardening served the explicit purpose "that he might destroy them utterly." This destruction was a righteous consequence of the Canaanites' profound wickedness and idolatry, a necessary act to purify the land for Israel. The phrase "as the LORD commanded Moses" highlights the theme of **Fulfillment of Command**, emphasizing God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises and decrees, particularly the instructions for the conquest found in books like [Deuteronomy 7:1-6](/deuteronomy/7-1-6 "Deuteronomy 7:1-6 - Command to Destroy Nations and Avoid Idolatry"). Finally, the statement "that they might have no favour" underscores the theme of **No Mercy or Opportunity for Peace** for these specific nations, signifying the finality and severity of God's judgment once their time for repentance had passed and their iniquity was full.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Harden (Hebrew, חִזַּק _châzaq_):** From a primitive root meaning "to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong," and causatively, "to strengthen, make hard, harden." In this context, when God is the subject, it signifies a divine action that removes any inclination towards submission or peace. It does not imply that God implants evil, but rather that He withdraws grace or opportunities for a change of heart, thereby confirming the individual or nation in their chosen path of rebellion and resistance, leading to their inevitable judgment. It is a divine act that allows existing obstinacy to solidify into an unyielding stance.
* **Destroy them utterly (Hebrew, חָרַם _châram_):** This primitive root means "to seclude; specifically (by a ban) to devote to religious uses (especially destruction); to make accursed, consecrate, (utterly) destroy, devote, forfeit." It refers to the concept of *herem*, a unique form of holy war or consecrated destruction. Peoples or objects placed under *herem* were "devoted" to God, meaning they were to be completely removed from human use and either destroyed or dedicated to the sanctuary. In the context of the Canaanites, it was a divinely commanded act of judgment and purification, ensuring that their deep-seated idolatry and wickedness would not corrupt Israel. This was not mere military annihilation but a theological act of consecration and righteous judgment against egregious sin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts":** This opening clause immediately establishes divine initiative and sovereignty as the ultimate cause of the Canaanites' unyielding resistance. It asserts that their refusal to seek peace or surrender was not merely human stubbornness but a direct, purposeful act of God. This theological explanation removes any notion of chance or human autonomy as the primary driver of these events, pointing instead to God's overarching plan and control.
* **"that they should come against Israel in battle":** This clause reveals the immediate consequence and specific purpose of the hardened hearts. By removing any inclination towards peace or negotiation, God ensured that the Canaanite nations would actively engage Israel in military conflict. This confrontation was a necessary step in the divine plan for their judgment and complete destruction, preventing any partial or incomplete conquest that would leave pockets of idolatry.
* **"that he might destroy them utterly":** This specifies the ultimate divine purpose behind the hardening and the ensuing battle. The complete annihilation of these nations, as prescribed by the *herem* command, was God's righteous judgment against their profound wickedness and idolatry. This destruction was not arbitrary but a just consequence of their accumulated sin, ensuring the purification of the land and the protection of Israel from spiritual contamination.
* **"[and] that they might have no favour":** This phrase emphasizes the finality and severity of God's judgment. It means there was no opportunity for mercy, peace treaties, or leniency for these particular nations. Their time for repentance had passed, and their iniquity was full, leaving no room for negotiation or compromise with Israel, signifying the complete and unmitigated nature of God's wrath.
* **"but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses":** This concluding phrase reiterates the purpose of destruction and, crucially, anchors it firmly in God's pre-existing commands given through Moses. This links the events of the conquest directly to the Mosaic covenant and the specific instructions found in books like [Deuteronomy 20:16-18](/deuteronomy/20-16-18 "Deuteronomy 20:16-18 - Command to Destroy Inhabitants of Certain Cities"). It underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His word and His commitment to executing His justice exactly as He declared, highlighting the continuity of His divine plan.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 11:20 employs several significant literary devices to convey its powerful theological message. The most prominent is **Purpose Clause**, indicated by the repeated use of "that" (לְמַעַן _lema'an_ in Hebrew) to articulate the divine intention behind the hardening of hearts: "that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, [and] that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them." This repetition emphasizes the deliberate and teleological nature of God's actions, revealing a clear, predetermined outcome. **Repetition** of the phrase "destroy them" further reinforces the absolute and comprehensive nature of the judgment. The verse also functions as a form of **Theological Explanation** or **Divine Commentary**, interrupting the narrative flow of the conquest to provide the underlying divine rationale for the events, shifting the focus from human agency to divine sovereignty. Finally, the explicit reference to "as the LORD commanded Moses" serves as an **Allusion** or **Intertextual Reference**, connecting the immediate historical events to the broader covenantal history and the foundational laws given at Sinai, thereby highlighting God's consistent character and the fulfillment of His ancient decrees.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 11:20 presents a profound theological truth about God's absolute sovereignty, even over the wills and decisions of nations. It challenges a simplistic view of human autonomy by asserting that God can and does orchestrate circumstances, including the hardening of hearts, to accomplish His divine purposes of judgment and redemption. This does not absolve human responsibility for sin, but rather demonstrates that God can allow or even cause existing rebellion to solidify, preventing a path of peace that would thwart His righteous judgment. The verse is a stark reminder of God's holiness and justice, revealing that He is not merely a passive observer but an active participant in history, ensuring that His word is fulfilled and that unrepentant wickedness ultimately faces His righteous wrath. It compels us to grapple with the mystery of divine election and reprobation, ultimately resting in the wisdom and justice of a God whose ways are higher than our ways.
* [Exodus 9:12](/exodus/9-12 "Exodus 9:12 - God Hardens Pharaoh's Heart Again")
* [Romans 9:18](/romans/9-18 "Romans 9:18 - God's Mercy and Hardening")
* [Deuteronomy 2:30](/deuteronomy/2-30 "Deuteronomy 2:30 - God Hardens Sihon's Spirit")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 11:20 confronts us with the awe-inspiring and sometimes unsettling reality of God's absolute sovereignty and His righteous judgment. In a world that often seeks to minimize sin or question divine justice, this verse stands as a stark reminder of God's holiness and His intolerance for deep-seated wickedness. It compels us to recognize that God is actively involved in the affairs of humanity, orchestrating events to fulfill His ultimate purposes, even when those purposes involve severe judgment. While the specific context of *herem* is unique to the conquest of Canaan, the underlying principles of God's control, the seriousness of sin, and the certainty of divine judgment remain eternally relevant. This passage should cultivate in us a profound reverence for God's power and justice, prompting us to examine our own hearts and ensure we are not hardened against His truth. It encourages us to trust in His perfect wisdom, even when His ways are beyond our full comprehension, and to seek His favor while it is still available, for a time of judgment will surely come for all.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's sovereignty in Joshua 11:20 shape our trust in His overarching plan, even amidst difficult or seemingly unjust circumstances in the world today?**
* **What does the severity of God's judgment against the Canaanites teach us about the nature of sin and His holiness, and how should this impact our own walk with God?**
* **How can we reconcile the concept of God hardening hearts with His universal call for all people to repent and believe, as seen in the New Testament?**
* **In what ways does this passage encourage us to consider the ultimate future judgment and the urgency of responding to God's grace and seeking peace with Him through Christ today?**

### FAQ

**Does God force people to sin or harden their hearts against their will?**

Answer: The biblical concept of God hardening hearts, as seen in Joshua 11:20 and with Pharaoh in Exodus, does not typically imply that God implants evil or forces someone to act against their inherent desires. Rather, it often means God removes any restraining grace, opportunities for repentance, or the softening influence of His Spirit, thereby allowing a person's pre-existing rebellion, stubbornness, or sin to fully manifest and solidify. In the case of the Canaanites, their hearts were already deeply steeped in wickedness and idolatry ([Leviticus 18:24-25](/leviticus/18-24-25 "Leviticus 18:24-25 - Consequences of Abominations")). God's hardening was an act that confirmed them in their chosen path of resistance, ensuring that His righteous judgment would be fully executed without compromise, as He had commanded. It highlights God's sovereign control over even the disposition of human wills to accomplish His just purposes.

**Is God unjust for commanding such destruction and hardening hearts to achieve it?**

Answer: From a biblical perspective, God is perfectly just and holy, and His actions are always righteous, even when they involve severe judgment. The command for *herem* (utter destruction) against the Canaanites was not arbitrary cruelty but a unique, divinely mandated judgment against nations whose practices were an abomination to God (e.g., child sacrifice, cultic prostitution, widespread idolatry). Their "iniquity was full" ([Genesis 15:16](/genesis/15-16 "Genesis 15:16 - The Iniquity of the Amorites")), and they had been given centuries to repent. God's hardening of their hearts ensured that His long-foretold and righteous judgment would be carried out completely, preventing the spiritual corruption of His chosen people, Israel. This act underscores God's absolute sovereignty and His commitment to justice, demonstrating that He will not tolerate unrepentant wickedness indefinitely. It serves as a historical precedent for the certainty of God's ultimate judgment against all sin.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 11:20, with its stark portrayal of divine judgment and the hardening of hearts, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in several profound ways. The judgment meted out upon the Canaanites, a people whose hearts were hardened against God, foreshadows the universal judgment against all humanity whose hearts remain hardened in sin against their Creator. Yet, in Christ, we see the ultimate answer to this dire predicament. While the Canaanites received "no favour" and faced utter destruction, Jesus Christ is the one through whom God offers ultimate favor and mercy to a world deserving of judgment. He became the ultimate "devoted one" or *herem* ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")), bearing the curse and the wrath of God for sin on the cross, so that those who believe might receive forgiveness and eternal life. Through His sacrifice, the hardened heart of stone is replaced with a heart of flesh ([Ezekiel 36:26](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26 - A New Heart and Spirit")), softened by the Holy Spirit to respond in faith and repentance, rather than being hardened unto destruction. Thus, the terrifying justice of God displayed in Joshua 11:20 ultimately points to the glorious grace of God revealed in [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") and offers the only path to escape the final, eternal judgment.

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

Romans 9:18

Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will [have mercy], and whom he will he hardeneth.

Deuteronomy 20:16

But of the cities of these people, which the LORD thy God doth give thee [for] an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth:

Deuteronomy 20:17

But thou shalt utterly destroy them; [namely], the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee:

Exodus 4:21

And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go.

Deuteronomy 2:30

But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him: for the LORD thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into thy hand, as [appeareth] this day.

Deuteronomy 7:16

And thou shalt consume all the people which the LORD thy God shall deliver thee; thine eye shall have no pity upon them: neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that [will be] a snare unto thee.

Joshua 11:12

And all the cities of those kings, and all the kings of them, did Joshua take, and smote them with the edge of the sword, [and] he utterly destroyed them, as Moses the servant of the LORD commanded.