Joshua 24:11

KJV

And ye went over Jordan, and came unto Jericho: and the men of Jericho fought against you, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; and I delivered them into your hand.

KJV (with Strong's)

And ye went over {H5674} Jordan {H3383}, and came {H935} unto Jericho {H3405}: and the men {H1167} of Jericho {H3405} fought {H3898} against you, the Amorites {H567}, and the Perizzites {H6522}, and the Canaanites {H3669}, and the Hittites {H2850}, and the Girgashites {H1622}, the Hivites {H2340}, and the Jebusites {H2983}; and I delivered {H5414} them into your hand {H3027}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Next you crossed the Yarden and came to Yericho. The men of Yericho fought against you-the Emori, P'rizi, Kena'ani, Hitti, Girgashi, Hivi and Y'vusi - and I handed them over to you.

Berean Standard Bible

After this, you crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho. The people of Jericho fought against you, as did the Amorites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, Hivites, and Jebusites, and I delivered them into your hand.

American Standard Version

And ye went over the Jordan, and came unto Jericho: and the men of Jericho fought against you, the Amorite, and the Perizzite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Girgashite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite; and I delivered them into your hand.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 24:11 encapsulates a pivotal moment in Israel's history, recounted by Joshua during his farewell address at Shechem. It vividly recalls the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River and the initial, formidable opposition encountered at Jericho, followed by a detailed enumeration of the seven major Canaanite nations who fiercely resisted Israel's advance into the Promised Land. The verse culminates in a powerful declaration of divine sovereignty: "and I delivered them into your hand," serving as a profound reminder that Israel's victories were not achieved by their own might or strategy, but were solely the result of Yahweh's faithful and decisive intervention on behalf of His covenant people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 24:11 is embedded within Joshua's final address to the assembled tribes of Israel at Shechem, a significant covenant renewal ceremony detailed in [Joshua 24](/joshua/24 "Joshua 24 - Covenant Renewal at Shechem"). This chapter serves as the theological climax of the book of Joshua, echoing the suzerainty treaty format common in the ancient Near East, where a great king (God) recounts His gracious acts toward His vassal (Israel) before calling for renewed loyalty. Joshua's speech systematically reviews God's faithfulness from Abraham's call, through the Exodus, wilderness wanderings, and the conquest of Canaan, culminating in a challenge for Israel to "choose this day whom you will serve." Verse 11 specifically highlights the critical juncture of entering the land and facing its inhabitants, emphasizing God's continuous, active presence in their battles.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The crossing of the Jordan River, described in [Joshua 3-4](/joshua/3 "Joshua 3 - Crossing the Jordan") and referenced here, was a miraculous event, paralleling the Red Sea crossing and signifying God's continued power and presence with His people as they entered the Promised Land. Jericho, a heavily fortified city and the first major obstacle, represented the strategic gateway into Canaan. The listing of the seven nations—the Amorites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, Hivites, and Jebusites—was a common biblical trope (e.g., [Deuteronomy 7:1](/deuteronomy/7-1 "Deuteronomy 7:1 - God's Command to Destroy the Nations")) to denote the totality of the indigenous inhabitants of Canaan. These groups were known for their idolatrous practices and formidable military presence, making the Israelite conquest an seemingly impossible task without divine intervention, thereby underscoring the miraculous nature of God's deliverance.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully reinforces several core themes of the book of Joshua and the broader Old Testament narrative. Foremost is **Divine Faithfulness and Deliverance**, with the emphatic "I delivered them into your hand" underscoring God as the primary agent and warrior for Israel, fulfilling His covenant promises to Abraham ([Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land to Abraham's Descendants")). This highlights that the conquest was not a human military achievement but a divine act. Another key theme is **The Conquest of Canaan**, portrayed not merely as a territorial acquisition but as a divinely mandated judgment against the wickedness of the Canaanite nations and the establishment of God's people in His promised land. Finally, the act of **Remembering God's Works** is crucial; Joshua's recounting serves as a vital historical and theological lesson for the new generation, ensuring they do not forget the miraculous ways God led their ancestors and thereby inspiring their continued allegiance and obedience to the God who fights for them ([Joshua 1:5](/joshua/1-5 "Joshua 1:5 - God's Promise of Presence and Victory")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jordan (Hebrew, _Yarden'_):** The river Jordan served as a significant geographical and symbolic boundary. Its miraculous crossing, where the waters "stood up in a heap" ([Joshua 3:16](/joshua/3-16 "Joshua 3:16 - The Waters of the Jordan Piled Up")), marked Israel's definitive entry into the Promised Land and reaffirmed God's covenant presence with them, just as He had been with Moses. This act established Joshua's leadership and God's power.
* **Fought (Hebrew, _nilḥam'_):** Derived from the root *laḥam*, meaning "to fight" or "to wage war." The use of this verb emphasizes that the Canaanite nations, including the men of Jericho, did not simply yield but actively engaged in battle against Israel. This highlights the formidable opposition Israel faced and underscores that their victories were not due to an absence of resistance but to God's superior power overcoming real, active enemies.
* **Delivered (Hebrew, _nātan'_):** This verb means "to give," "to place," or "to put." In this context, particularly with the idiom "into your hand," it signifies a direct and sovereign act of God. It is not that Israel merely won, but that God *gave* them the victory, effectively handing over the enemies to them. This choice of word emphatically attributes the success of the conquest solely to Yahweh's initiative and power, removing any ground for Israel to boast in their own strength.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And ye went over Jordan, and came unto Jericho:"** This clause succinctly recounts two foundational events in the conquest narrative. The crossing of the Jordan River was a miraculous display of God's power, allowing the Israelites to enter the land dry-shod. Their arrival at Jericho signifies their immediate confrontation with the first major, heavily fortified city within Canaan, setting the stage for the initial phase of the conquest.
* **"and the men of Jericho fought against you, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites;"** This section details the formidable opposition Israel faced. The "men of Jericho" represent the initial, direct military challenge. The subsequent listing of the seven Canaanite nations (a conventional, comprehensive list) emphasizes the vast and diverse array of enemies, highlighting the overwhelming odds against Israel from a human perspective. This enumeration serves to magnify God's subsequent deliverance by showing the magnitude of the forces He overcame.
* **"and I delivered them into your hand."** This is the theological climax of the verse. The emphatic "I" refers to Yahweh, the God of Israel. The phrase "delivered them into your hand" is a common biblical idiom signifying that God granted victory or control over the enemies. It unequivocally asserts that the success of the conquest, despite the fierce resistance of numerous nations, was not due to Israel's military prowess or strategy, but was a direct, sovereign act of God's power and faithfulness to His covenant promises.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 24:11 employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Recapitulation** is central, as Joshua is recounting a specific historical event within a broader historical review, serving to remind the audience of God's past faithfulness. The **Enumeration** of the seven Canaanite nations (Amorites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, Hivites, and Jebusites) is a key feature, emphasizing the totality and formidable nature of the opposition Israel faced, thereby magnifying the divine victory. The phrase "I delivered them into your hand" utilizes a powerful **Idiom** common in Hebrew, which signifies granting victory or control. This idiom, coupled with the explicit first-person pronoun "I" referring to God, underscores **Divine Agency** and **Theological Emphasis**, ensuring that the audience understands that the victory was solely God's work, not Israel's. The verse also implicitly uses **Contrast** between the overwhelming human opposition and the singular, decisive divine intervention.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 24:11 serves as a profound theological statement on divine sovereignty, covenant faithfulness, and the nature of God as a warrior on behalf of His people. It refutes any notion of Israelite self-sufficiency, unequivocally attributing their success in the conquest to Yahweh's direct intervention. This principle extends beyond military victory, teaching that all true deliverance and blessing flow from God's active hand. It reminds believers that even when facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles, our hope and strength are found not in our own capabilities, but in the unwavering power and commitment of a faithful God who fights for us. This verse calls us to remember God's past acts of deliverance, both in biblical history and in our personal lives, as a foundation for trusting Him with present and future challenges.

* [Deuteronomy 7:1-2](/deuteronomy/7-1 "Deuteronomy 7:1-2 - God's Command to Destroy the Nations")
* [Psalm 44:3](/psalm/44-3 "Psalm 44:3 - Not by Their Own Sword")
* [1 Samuel 17:47](/1_samuel/17-47 "1 Samuel 17:47 - The Battle is the Lord's")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 24:11 offers timeless encouragement and a vital perspective for believers navigating the complexities of life. Just as God miraculously parted the Jordan and delivered Israel from formidable enemies like the men of Jericho and the seven Canaanite nations, He continues to be our deliverer in spiritual battles and life's daunting challenges. This verse encourages us to look beyond the immediate strength of our adversaries—be they spiritual strongholds, personal struggles, or societal pressures—and to fix our gaze upon the sovereign hand of God. When we face our own "Jerichos," seemingly impenetrable obstacles, this passage reminds us that victory is not achieved by our might or cleverness, but by God's power actively working on our behalf. It is a call to humble dependence, to remember God's past faithfulness in our lives and in the grand narrative of salvation history, and to renew our commitment to the Lord, trusting that the same God who delivered Israel will also empower us to overcome, keeping His promises.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Jerichos" or formidable obstacles are you currently facing in your life, and how does Joshua 24:11 encourage you to view them in light of God's sovereign power?**
* **How does remembering specific instances of God's past faithfulness, both in biblical history and in your personal journey, strengthen your faith for present and future challenges?**
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to rely primarily on your own strength, wisdom, or strategy, rather than acknowledging and trusting in God's ultimate deliverance and provision?**

### FAQ
**Why does Joshua list so many nations, and are they all distinct?**

Answer: The listing of the seven nations (Amorites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, Hivites, and Jebusites) is a conventional rhetorical device in the Old Testament (see [Genesis 15:18-21](/genesis/15-18 "Genesis 15:18-21 - God's Covenant with Abraham, Listing Nations") and [Deuteronomy 7:1](/deuteronomy/7-1 "Deuteronomy 7:1 - God's Command to Destroy the Nations")) to represent the totality and diversity of the indigenous inhabitants of Canaan. While these were distinct ethnic and political groups, the comprehensive list serves to emphasize the overwhelming numerical and military superiority of the enemy forces. This highlights that Israel's conquest was not a matter of human military might overcoming a few scattered tribes, but a miraculous divine intervention against a vast, entrenched, and formidable opposition, thereby magnifying God's power and faithfulness.

**What is the significance of the phrase "I delivered them into your hand"?**

Answer: This phrase is the theological linchpin of Joshua 24:11. The emphatic "I" refers to Yahweh, the God of Israel, clearly establishing Him as the primary and decisive agent in the conquest. "Delivered them into your hand" is a common Hebrew idiom meaning to grant victory, control, or possession over enemies. It underscores divine initiative and sovereignty, asserting that the success of the battles was not due to Israel's military prowess, strategic genius, or numerical superiority, but was a direct, sovereign act of God. This concept is crucial throughout the book of Joshua and the Pentateuch, consistently reminding Israel that their inheritance and victories were a gracious gift from God, not something earned by their own righteousness or strength (e.g., [Deuteronomy 9:4-5](/deuteronomy/9-4 "Deuteronomy 9:4-5 - Not by Your Righteousness")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 24:11, with its powerful declaration of God's decisive deliverance, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the greater Joshua. Just as Joshua led Israel into a physical inheritance and victory over earthly enemies, Jesus leads His people into a spiritual inheritance and triumph over far more formidable foes: sin, death, and the powers of darkness. The physical battles fought by Israel in Canaan foreshadow the spiritual warfare that believers engage in, not against "flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" ([Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Spiritual Warfare")). Christ's victory on the cross is the ultimate "delivery into your hand," where He "disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him" ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has delivered us from the "dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son" ([Colossians 1:13](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13 - Delivered from Darkness")), granting us access to a spiritual inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - Our Imperishable Inheritance")). The faithful God who delivered Israel at Jericho is the same God who, in Christ, promises never to leave us nor forsake us ([Hebrews 13:5](/hebrews/13-5 "Hebrews 13:5 - God's Promise Never to Leave Us")), empowering us to live in the victory He has already secured.

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

Joshua 3:14

¶ And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people;

Joshua 3:17

And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.

Joshua 4:10

¶ For the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan, until every thing was finished that the LORD commanded Joshua to speak unto the people, according to all that Moses commanded Joshua: and the people hasted and passed over.

Joshua 4:12

And the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, passed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses spake unto them:

Joshua 10:1

¶ Now it came to pass, when Adonizedek king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them;

Joshua 10:11

And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, [and] were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: [they were] more which died with hailstones than [they] whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.

Joshua 6:1

¶ Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.