TRV
Translation
King James Version
And when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel.
Complete Jewish Bible
All these kings met together, then came and pitched camp together at the Merom Spring, to fight Isra'el.
Berean Standard Bible
All these kings joined forces and encamped at the waters of Merom to fight against Israel.
American Standard Version
And all these kings met together; and they came and encamped together at the waters of Merom, to fight with Israel.
World English Bible Messianic
All these kings met together; and they came and encamped together at the waters of Merom, to fight with Israel.
Geneva Bible (1599)
So all these Kings met together, and came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, for to fight against Israel.
Young's Literal Translation
and all these kings are met together, and they come and encamp together at the waters of Merom, to fight with Israel.
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In the KJVVerse 6,113 of 31,102
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Commentary on Joshua 11 verses 1–9
1 ¶ And it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor had heard those things, that he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph,
2 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,
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.
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.
5 And when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel.
6 And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.
7 So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom suddenly; and they fell upon them.
8 And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon, and unto Misrephothmaim, and unto the valley of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left them none remaining.
9 And Joshua did unto them as the LORD bade him: he houghed their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire.
We are here entering upon the story of another campaign that Joshua made, and it was a glorious one, no less illustrious than the former in the success of it, though in respect of miracles it was inferior to it in glory. The wonders God then wrought for them were to animate and encourage them to act vigorously themselves. Thus the war carried on by the preaching of the gospel against Satan's kingdom was at first forwarded by miracles; but, the war being by them sufficiently proved to be of God, the managers of it are now left to the ordinary assistance of divine grace in the use of the sword of the Spirit, and must not expect hail-stones nor the standing still of the sun. In this story we have,
I. The Canaanites taking the field against Israel. They were the aggressors, God hardening their hearts to begin the war, that Israel might be justified beyond exception in destroying them. Joshua and all Israel had returned to the camp at Gilgal, and perhaps these kings knew no other than that they intended to sit down content with the conquest they had already made, and yet they prepare war against them. Note, Sinners bring ruin upon their own heads, so that God will be justified when he speaks, and they alone shall bear the blame for ever. Judah had now couched as a lion gone up from the prey; if the northern kings rouse him up, it is at their peril, Gen 49:9. Now, 1. Several nations joined in this confederacy, some in the mountains and some in the plains, Jos 11:2. Canaanites from east and west, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, etc. (Jos 11:3), of different constitutions and divided interests among themselves, and yet they here unite against Israel as against a common enemy. Thus are the children of this world more unanimous, and therein wiser, than the children of light. The oneness of the church's enemies should shame the church's friends out of their discords and divisions, and engage them to be one. 2. The head of this confederacy was Jabin king of Hazor (Jos 11:1), as Adoni-zedec was of the former; it is said (Jos 11:10) Hazor had been the head of all those kingdoms, which could not have revolted without occasioning ill-will; but this was forgotten and laid aside upon this occasion, by consent of parties, Luk 23:12. When they had all drawn up their forces together, every kingdom bringing in its quota, they were a very great army, much greater than the former, as the sand on the sea shore in multitude, and upon this account much stronger and more formidable, that they had horses and chariots very many, which we do not find the southern kings had; hereby they had a great advantage against Israel, for their army consisted only of foot, and they never brought horses nor chariots into the field. Josephus tells us that the army of the Canaanites consisted of 300,000 foot, 10,000 horses, and 20,000 chariots. Many there be that rise up against God's Israel; doubtless their numbers made them very confident of success, but it proved that so much the greater slaughter was made of them.
II. The encouragement God gave to Joshua to give them the meeting, even upon the ground of their own choosing (Jos 11:6): Be not afraid because of them. Joshua was remarkable for his courage - it was his master grace, and yet it seems he had need to be again and again cautioned not to be afraid. Fresh dangers and difficulties make it necessary to fetch in fresh supports and comforts from the word of God, which we have always nigh unto us, to be made use of in every time of need. Those that have God on their side need not be disturbed at the number and power of their enemies; more are those that are with us than those that are against us; those have the hosts of the Lord that have the Lord of hosts engaged for them. For his encouragement, 1. God assures him of success, and fixes the hour: Tomorrow about this time, when an engagement (it is probable) was expected and designed on both sides, I will deliver them up slain. Though they were to be slain by the sword of Israel, yet it is spoken of as God's work, that he would deliver them up. 2. He appoints him to hough their horses, hamstring them, lame them, and burn their chariots, not only that Israel might not use them hereafter, but that they might not fear them now, their God designing this contempt to be put upon them. Let Israel look upon their chariots but as rotten wood designed for the fire, and their horses of war as disabled things, scarcely good enough for the cart. This encouragement which God here gave to Joshua no doubt he communicated to the people, who perhaps were under some apprehensions of danger from this vast army, notwithstanding the experience they had had of God's power engaged for them. And the wisdom and goodness of God are to be observed, (1.) In infatuating the counsels of the enemy, that all the kings of Canaan, who were not dispersed at such a distance from each other but that they might have got all together in a body, did not at first confederate against Israel, but were divided into the southern and northern combination, and so became the less formidable. And, (2.) In preparing his people to encounter the greater force, by breaking the less. They first engage with five kings together, and now with many more. God proportions our trials to our strength and our strength to our trials.
III. Joshua's march against these confederate forces, Jos 11:7. He came upon them suddenly, and surprised them in their quarters. He made this haste, 1. That he might put them into the greater confusion, by giving them an alarm, when they little thought he was near them. 2. That he might be sure not to come short of the honour God had fixed, to give him the meeting at the enemies' camp, tomorrow about this time. It is fit we should keep time with God.
IV. His success, Jos 11:8. He obtained the honour and advantage of a complete victory; he smote them and chased them, in the several ways they took in their flight; some fled towards Zidon, which lay to the northwest, others towards Mizpeh, eastward, but the parties Joshua sent out pursued them each way. So the Lord delivered them into the hand of Israel; they would not deliver themselves into the hands of Israel to be made proselytes and tributaries, and so offered up to God's grace (Rom 15:16), and therefore God delivered them into their hands to be made sacrifices to his justice; for God will be honoured by us or upon us.
V. His obedience to the orders given him, in destroying the horses and chariots (Jos 11:9), which was an instance, 1. Of his subjection to the divine will, as one under authority, that must do as he is bidden. 2. Of his self-denial, and crossing his own genius and inclination in compliance with God's command. 3. Of his confidence in the power of God engaged for Israel, which enabled them to despise the chariots and horses which others trusted in, Psa 20:7; Psa 33:17. 4. Of his care to keep up in the people the like confidence in God, by taking that from them which they would be tempted to trust too much to. This was cutting of a right hand.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–9. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Joshua 11:5 vividly portrays the formidable assembly of a vast northern Canaanite coalition, led by numerous kings from across the region, who converged and encamped at the strategically significant "waters of Merom." This unprecedented gathering represented the most extensive and unified human opposition Israel had encountered in their conquest of the Promised Land, setting the stage for a decisive confrontation that would profoundly demonstrate God's unwavering power and faithfulness to His covenant promises.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs Repetition through the phrases "met together" and "pitched together," which, along with the adverb "together," powerfully emphasize the unified, concerted, and massive nature of the Canaanite opposition. This repetition underscores the formidable challenge Israel faced. There is also a strong element of Foreshadowing, as this verse meticulously sets the scene for the dramatic and decisive battle that will immediately follow, a battle in which God's power will be spectacularly displayed. The sheer scale implied by "all these kings" and their combined encampment at a strategic location also borders on Hyperbole, serving to magnify the perceived strength and overwhelming numbers of the enemy and, by extension, to highlight the even greater magnitude of God's impending victory.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 11:5 serves as a profound theological statement, reminding us that the advancement of God's kingdom and the fulfillment of His divine purposes often provoke intense, unified opposition from the world. Just as the Canaanite kings coalesced with all their might against Israel, so too do forces, both human and spiritual, align against God's people throughout salvation history. This verse highlights the spiritual reality that behind earthly conflicts, there frequently lies a deeper resistance to the sovereign will of God. However, it simultaneously sets the stage for the profound theological truth that no human alliance, however vast, well-equipped, or strategically positioned, can ultimately thwart the sovereign plan of God. The very act of their formidable gathering serves to magnify God's power and glory when He delivers the decisive victory, demonstrating His unmatched supremacy.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 11:5 presents a stark and powerful picture of overwhelming opposition, a scenario many believers can profoundly relate to in their own lives of faith. Whether facing spiritual attacks, societal pressures, or personal challenges that seem insurmountable, this verse encourages us to recognize that such resistance is not uncommon when we are actively pursuing God's will and living out His purposes. The Canaanite kings united with all their military might and strategic cunning, yet their efforts were ultimately futile against the God who fought for Israel. This historical account should instill in us a profound sense of trust, courage, and unwavering confidence: no matter how formidable the opposition, our ultimate victory is secured in God's sovereignty and His unfailing faithfulness. We are called to stand firm, not in our own limited strength or strategic genius, but in the unwavering conviction that the battle belongs to the Lord, and He will accomplish His purposes through us as we remain obedient, faithful, and fully reliant on His divine power.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Where exactly are the "waters of Merom" and why was it a strategic location?
Answer: The "waters of Merom" (מֵי מֵרוֹם, mei Merom) are generally identified with the ancient Lake Hula (now largely drained) or a marshy area near it, located in the Upper Galilee region of northern Israel. It was a highly strategic location for several compelling reasons: it provided ample water resources for a massive army and their animals, offered a relatively flat and open plain suitable for massing a vast number of troops, including chariots and horses (which the northern Canaanites possessed in abundance, as explicitly noted in Joshua 11:4), and served as a natural, easily accessible rallying point for diverse forces converging from different directions across the northern territories.
Who was Jabin, king of Hazor, and why was he leading this coalition?
Answer: Jabin was the powerful king of Hazor, which is explicitly called "the head of all those kingdoms" in Joshua 11:10. Hazor was, at the time, the largest and most influential city-state in northern Canaan during the Late Bronze Age, commanding a vast territory and possessing significant military resources, including a formidable chariot force. As the dominant regional power, Jabin naturally took the initiative and leadership role in organizing this grand resistance against Israel. His leadership underscores the gravity of the existential threat perceived by the Canaanite city-states, prompting them to unite under the strongest regional power to confront the Israelite advance and preserve their independence.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The formidable coalition at the "waters of Merom" serves as a powerful Old Testament type, foreshadowing the united opposition that God's ultimate King, Jesus Christ, would face, and ultimately conquer. Just as the kings of Canaan gathered in vain to thwart God's plan for Israel's inheritance, so too did the "kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His Anointed" (Psalm 2:2). From His humble birth, which provoked the murderous decree of King Herod (Matthew 2:1-12), to His public ministry and His crucifixion, Jesus encountered relentless opposition from religious and political powers who "met together" to extinguish the light of God's kingdom. Yet, the decisive victory at Merom, achieved by God's power through Joshua, pales in comparison to Christ's ultimate triumph on the cross and His glorious resurrection. There, the true Lamb of God (John 1:29) disarmed the spiritual principalities and powers, triumphing over them by His sacrificial death and resurrection (Colossians 2:15). The "fight against Israel" at Merom finds its ultimate spiritual fulfillment in the ongoing cosmic battle between God's kingdom and the forces of darkness, a battle decisively won by Christ, who will one day return as the victorious King of Kings and Lord of Lords, to put all His enemies under His feet (Revelation 19:11-16).