Joshua 11:5

KJV

And when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel.

KJV (with Strong's)

And when all these kings {H4428} were met together {H3259}, they came {H935} and pitched {H2583} together {H3162} at the waters {H4325} of Merom {H4792}, to fight {H3898} against Israel {H3478}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 11:5 describes the formidable gathering of a vast northern Canaanite coalition, led by kings from across the region, who united their forces at the strategic "waters of Merom." This assembly represented the most significant and widespread human opposition Israel had yet faced in their conquest of the Promised Land, setting the stage for a decisive confrontation that would demonstrate God's unwavering power and faithfulness to His covenant promises.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the detailed account of the northern kings forming their alliance, instigated by Jabin, king of Hazor, who is explicitly named as the head of this coalition in [Joshua 11:1](/joshua/11-1 "Joshua 11:1 - Jabin Forms a Northern Coalition"). The preceding chapters ([Joshua 10](/joshua/10 "Joshua 10 - Southern Conquests")) recount Israel's swift and decisive victories over the southern kings, culminating in the complete subjugation of that region. The news of these conquests undoubtedly spurred the northern kings to action, recognizing the existential threat Israel posed to their independent city-states. Joshua 11:5 thus marks the physical manifestation of this united resistance, directly preceding God's divine instruction to Joshua in [Joshua 11:6](/joshua/11-6 "Joshua 11:6 - God's Promise of Victory Over the Coalition") to confront and utterly defeat this massive army. It sets the scene for one of the most significant battles in the conquest narrative.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Canaan was a patchwork of independent city-states, each ruled by its own king. While often in conflict with one another, common external threats could compel them to form temporary alliances. The scale of this northern coalition, encompassing kings from Hazor (a major regional power), Madon, Shimron, Achshaph, and extending to the northern mountains, the Arabah, the Shephelah, and the coast ([Joshua 11:1-3](/joshua/11-1 "Joshua 11:1-3 - The Northern Kings Gather")), indicates an unprecedented level of cooperation. Hazor, as the "head of all those kingdoms" ([Joshua 11:10](/joshua/11-10 "Joshua 11:10 - Hazor Destroyed")), likely served as the hegemon, orchestrating this grand alliance. The "waters of Merom" are generally identified with the ancient Lake Hula or a marshy area near it in the Upper Galilee region. This location was strategically vital, providing ample water for a large army and a relatively flat, open space for massing troops, chariots, and horses, which the northern Canaanites possessed in significant numbers ([Joshua 11:4](/joshua/11-4 "Joshua 11:4 - The Vast Northern Army")).
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within the book of Joshua. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **United Opposition to God's Plan**. The sheer scale and unity of the Canaanite forces highlight the immense human resistance Israel faced in fulfilling God's command to conquer the land. Secondly, it emphasizes **Divine Sovereignty and Faithfulness**. Despite the daunting numerical superiority and military might of the enemy, the narrative consistently points to God as the true warrior who fights for Israel. The gathering of this vast army serves to magnify God's subsequent victory, demonstrating that no human power can thwart His purposes. Finally, it reinforces the theme of **Obedience and Trust**. Joshua's willingness to confront such a formidable foe, as instructed by God, exemplifies the importance of complete reliance on divine promises, even when circumstances appear overwhelming.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **"met together" (Hebrew, אָסַף, _'asaph'_):** This verb signifies a gathering, collecting, or assembling. Its use here emphasizes the deliberate and organized nature of the coalition's formation. It's not a chance encounter but a concerted effort to consolidate their strength. The repetition of this idea with "pitched together" further stresses the unified and purposeful mobilization of these diverse kings and their armies.
* **"pitched together" (Hebrew, חָנָה, _chanah'_):** This word describes the act of encamping or setting up a military camp. It implies a readiness for battle, a strategic positioning of forces. The combined use of "met together" and "pitched together" paints a vivid picture of a massive, organized military encampment, signaling their collective intent to engage Israel in a decisive battle.
* **"waters of Merom" (Hebrew, מֵי מֵרוֹם, _mei Merom'_):** This geographical reference literally means "waters of the heights" or "high waters." While its precise identification is debated, it generally refers to the ancient Lake Hula or a nearby elevated spring/marshy area in the Upper Galilee region. Its significance lies in its strategic value as a rallying point for a large army, offering ample water resources and space for encampment and maneuver, especially for chariots.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when all these kings were met together":** This clause highlights the comprehensive nature of the northern alliance. It's not just a few kings, but "all these kings" – referring back to the extensive list in [Joshua 11:1-3](/joshua/11-1 "Joshua 11:1-3 - The Northern Kings Gather") – indicating a broad, regional mobilization against Israel. The emphasis is on their collective action and unified purpose.
* **"they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom":** This describes the physical convergence and encampment of the vast coalition. The "waters of Merom" serve as the designated assembly point, chosen for its strategic advantages, allowing for the concentration of a massive force, including chariots and horses mentioned in [Joshua 11:4](/joshua/11-4 "Joshua 11:4 - The Vast Northern Army"). The repetition of "together" underscores the unprecedented unity and scale of this military operation.
* **"to fight against Israel":** This final phrase clearly states the explicit objective of this grand assembly. Their purpose is not merely to gather or display strength, but to engage in direct military confrontation with the Israelite forces, intending to halt their advance and expel them from the land. This sets the stage for the climactic battle that follows.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs **Repetition** through the phrases "met together" and "pitched together," emphasizing 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 sets the scene for the dramatic and decisive battle that will follow, where 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 of the enemy and, by extension, the greatness of God's impending victory.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 11:5 serves as a powerful reminder that the advancement of God's kingdom and the fulfillment of His purposes often provoke intense, unified opposition from the world. Just as the Canaanite kings coalesced against Israel, so too do forces, both human and spiritual, align against God's people throughout history. This verse highlights the spiritual reality that behind earthly conflicts, there often lies a deeper resistance to divine will. However, it simultaneously sets the stage for the profound theological truth that no human alliance, however vast or well-equipped, can ultimately thwart the sovereign plan of God. The very act of their gathering serves to magnify God's power when He delivers the victory.

* [Deuteronomy 20:4](/deuteronomy/20-4 "The Lord Fights for You")
* [Psalm 2:1-4](/psalms/2-1 "The Nations Rage Against God")
* [Romans 8:31](/romans/8-31 "God Is For Us")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 11:5 presents a stark picture of overwhelming opposition, a scenario many believers can 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 pursuing God's will. The Canaanite kings united with all their might, yet their efforts were ultimately futile against the God who fought for Israel. This should instill in us a profound sense of trust and courage: no matter how formidable the opposition, our ultimate victory is secured in God's sovereignty. We are called to stand firm, not in our own 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 and faithful.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "united opposition" or overwhelming challenges are you currently facing in your life or ministry that feel like the "waters of Merom"?**
* **How does the knowledge that God fought for Israel at Merom encourage you to trust Him with your own seemingly insurmountable battles?**
* **In what ways might you be tempted to rely on your own strength or strategies rather than fully trusting in God's power when faced with opposition?**

### 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 strategic location for several reasons: it provided ample water for a large 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 noted in [Joshua 11:4](/joshua/11-4 "Joshua 11:4 - The Vast Northern Army")), and served as a natural rallying point for diverse forces coming from different directions across the northern territories.

**Who was Jabin, king of Hazor, and why was he leading this coalition?**

Answer: Jabin was the king of Hazor, which is explicitly called "the head of all those kingdoms" in [Joshua 11:10](/joshua/11-10 "Joshua 11:10 - Hazor Destroyed"). Hazor was the largest and most powerful city-state in northern Canaan during the Late Bronze Age, commanding a vast territory and possessing significant military resources, including a strong chariot force. As the dominant power, Jabin naturally took the lead in organizing the resistance against Israel. His leadership indicates the gravity of the threat perceived by the Canaanite city-states, prompting them to unite under the strongest regional power to confront the Israelite advance.

### 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](/psalms/2-2 "Psalm 2:2 - The Nations Rage Against God's Anointed")). From His birth ([Matthew 2:1-12](/matthew/2-1 "Matthew 2:1-12 - The Magi and Herod")) to His crucifixion, Jesus encountered relentless opposition from religious and political powers who "met together" to extinguish the light of God's kingdom. Yet, the victory at Merom, achieved by God's power through Joshua, pales in comparison to Christ's ultimate triumph on the cross and resurrection. There, the true Lamb of God ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")) disarmed the spiritual principalities and powers, triumphing over them by His sacrifice ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities")). 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](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11-16 - Christ's Triumphant Return")).

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

Isaiah 8:9

¶ Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces.

Psalms 3:1

¶ A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many [are] they that rise up against me.

Revelation 16:14

For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, [which] go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

Psalms 118:10

All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.

Psalms 118:12

They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.