Joshua 11:4

And they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people, even as the sand that [is] upon the sea shore in multitude, with horses and chariots very many.

And they went out {H3318}, they and all their hosts {H4264} with them, much {H7227} people {H5971}, even as the sand {H2344} that is upon the sea {H3220} shore {H8193} in multitude {H7230}, with horses {H5483} and chariots {H7393} very {H3966} many {H7227}.

So they set out, they and all their armies, many people, in number like the sand at the seashore, with very many horses and chariots.

So these kings came out with all their armies, a multitude as numerous as the sand on the seashore, along with a great number of horses and chariots.

And they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people, even as the sand that is upon the sea-shore in multitude, with horses and chariots very many.

Commentary

Context of Joshua 11:4

Joshua 11:4 is part of the account of Israel's conquest of the northern part of Canaan under the leadership of Joshua. After defeating the southern coalition of kings (as detailed in Joshua 10), Joshua turns his attention northward. This verse specifically describes the immense military force gathered by Jabin, the king of Hazor, who formed a formidable coalition of kings from various regions, including Madon, Shimron, Achshaph, and the northern mountains, plains, and coastlands. The description emphasizes the overwhelming numerical superiority and military might of these Canaanite forces, particularly their possession of horses and chariots, which were advanced military technology of the time and a significant advantage in ancient warfare.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Overwhelming Opposition: The verse vividly portrays the sheer scale of the enemy forces, describing them as "much people, even as the sand that is upon the sea shore in multitude." This hyperbolic language underscores the seemingly insurmountable challenge Israel faced, highlighting the disparity between their capabilities and those of their well-equipped adversaries.
  • God's Sovereignty and Power: Despite the formidable appearance of the Canaanite army, the narrative implicitly sets the stage for God's miraculous intervention. The vastness of the enemy's numbers serves to magnify God's power and faithfulness in granting Israel victory, demonstrating that success does not depend on human strength or military might but on divine assistance. This echoes a recurring theme throughout the Bible, where God often uses the weak or outnumbered to accomplish His purposes, so that the glory belongs to Him alone (compare with Judges 7:2).
  • Trust in God, Not Armaments: The mention of "horses and chariots very many" points to the advanced military technology of the Canaanites. In contrast, Israel was often forbidden from relying on such conventional armaments (see Deuteronomy 17:16). This verse, therefore, implicitly reinforces the message that Israel's strength lay not in their own military prowess or equipment, but in their covenant relationship with God and His command to fight for them (as promised in Deuteronomy 20:4).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "as the sand that is upon the sea shore" is a common biblical idiom used to denote an innumerable multitude. It appears frequently in promises of numerous descendants, such as God's covenant with Abraham in Genesis 22:17. Here, it is applied to the vastness of an opposing army, emphasizing the overwhelming odds faced by Israel. The Hebrew word for "chariots" (rekeb) refers to the two-wheeled vehicles used for warfare, often drawn by horses, which were a powerful and fast weapon, particularly in open terrain.

Practical Application

Joshua 11:4 offers a powerful lesson for believers today. We often face "multitudes" of challenges in life—whether they are overwhelming circumstances, persistent temptations, or seemingly impossible obstacles. Like the vast Canaanite army with its chariots, these challenges can appear insurmountable, making us feel small and ill-equipped. However, this verse reminds us that God's power is not limited by the size or strength of our opposition. Our reliance should be on His might, not on our own resources or the apparent strength of our adversaries. It encourages us to trust in the name of the Lord our God, knowing that He is able to deliver us from any "multitude" that stands against us, just as He delivered Israel from the mighty armies of Canaan. This narrative serves as a testament to God's faithfulness and a call to unwavering faith in the face of daunting odds.

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Cross-References

  • Judges 7:12 (5 votes)

    And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels [were] without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.

  • 1 Samuel 13:5 (4 votes)

    And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which [is] on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Bethaven.

  • Genesis 32:12 (3 votes)

    And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.

  • Genesis 22:17 (3 votes)

    That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which [is] upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

  • 2 Samuel 17:11 (2 votes)

    Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that [is] by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person.

  • 1 Kings 4:20 (2 votes)

    ¶ Judah and Israel [were] many, as the sand which [is] by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.