Joshua 11:23

So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war.

So Joshua {H3091} took {H3947} the whole land {H776}, according to all that the LORD {H3068} said {H1696} unto Moses {H4872}; and Joshua {H3091} gave {H5414} it for an inheritance {H5159} unto Israel {H3478} according to their divisions {H4256} by their tribes {H7626}. And the land {H776} rested {H8252} from war {H4421}.

Y'hoshua took the whole land, in keeping with all that ADONAI had said to Moshe and to Isra'el according to their divisions into tribes. Then the land rested from war.

So Joshua took the entire land, in keeping with all that the LORD had spoken to Moses. And Joshua gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to the allotments to their tribes. Then the land had rest from war.

So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that Jehovah spake unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land had rest from war.

Commentary

Joshua 11:23 marks a significant turning point in the biblical narrative of Israel's conquest of Canaan. This verse encapsulates the successful completion of the major military campaigns under Joshua's leadership, signifying the initial fulfillment of God's ancient promises to His people regarding the Promised Land. It transitions the narrative from conquest to distribution, setting the stage for the tribes to receive their allotted territories.

Context

This verse serves as a powerful summary statement, concluding the intense military campaigns detailed in chapters 10 and 11, where Joshua led Israel to victory against numerous Canaanite kings and their confederacies. From the initial victories at Jericho and Ai to the southern and northern campaigns, the narrative emphasizes God's direct involvement in giving the land to Israel. The phrase "according to all that the LORD said unto Moses" directly links Joshua's actions to the divine commission given to Moses, reiterating God's faithfulness to His covenant promises made centuries earlier to Abraham and reaffirmed through Moses.

Key Themes

  • Divine Faithfulness and Fulfillment: The most prominent theme is God's unwavering faithfulness. The conquest and subsequent distribution of the land are direct fulfillments of promises made to the patriarchs and to Moses. This verse underscores that God's word is never void; what He promises, He brings to pass, demonstrating His sovereignty and reliability.
  • Inheritance and Possession: The land of Canaan was not merely conquered but "gave it for an inheritance." This highlights the theological concept that the land was a divinely bestowed gift, a permanent possession for Israel, rather than something earned by their own might. This "inheritance" (Hebrew: nachalah) was distributed "according to their divisions by their tribes," establishing the tribal boundaries that would define Israel's identity for generations.
  • Rest from War: The declaration "And the land rested from war" signifies a period of peace and security after years of nomadic wandering and intense warfare. This "rest" (Hebrew: nuach) is a significant theme in the Old Testament, pointing to the cessation of struggle and the enjoyment of God's blessing. While localized conflicts would arise later, this marked the end of the large-scale, unified conquest efforts. This concept of divine rest foreshadows the greater spiritual rest available to believers in Christ.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "took the whole land" (Hebrew: lakach kol ha'aretz) indicates a comprehensive, though not necessarily immediate and total, military subjugation of the main strongholds and strategic areas as instructed by God. It implies the breaking of Canaanite power and the establishment of Israelite dominion, paving the way for settlement. The word "rested" (Hebrew: shaqat) implies a quietness, a cessation of hostilities, and a period of calm and security that followed the intense period of conflict.

Practical Application

Joshua 11:23 offers profound lessons for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder that God is faithful to His promises. Just as He delivered the Promised Land to Israel, He is faithful to deliver on His promises to us, even when the path seems long or difficult. We too have an eternal inheritance in Christ, not earned by our works but given by grace. Furthermore, the "rest from war" foreshadows the spiritual rest we find in Jesus, who invites us to cast our burdens upon Him and find peace for our souls (Matthew 11:28). This verse encourages us to trust in God's sovereign plan and to anticipate the fulfillment of His word in our lives.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Joshua 21:44 (6 votes)

    And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand.

  • Joshua 21:45 (6 votes)

    There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.

  • Numbers 26:52 (5 votes)

    ¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

  • Numbers 26:55 (5 votes)

    Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit.

  • Joshua 14:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ And these [are the countries] which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed for inheritance to them.

  • Joshua 14:15 (3 votes)

    And the name of Hebron before [was] Kirjatharba; [which Arba was] a great man among the Anakims. And the land had rest from war.

  • Exodus 23:27 (3 votes)

    I will send my fear before thee, and will destroy all the people to whom thou shalt come, and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee.