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Joshua 11:20

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For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts to engage Israel in battle, so that they would be set apart for destruction and would receive no mercy, being annihilated as the LORD had commanded Moses.

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Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 20

This chapter continues and concludes the history of the conquest of Canaan; of the reduction of the southern parts we had an account in the foregoing chapter, after which we may suppose Joshua allowed his forces some breathing-time; now here we have the story of the war in the north, and the happy success of that war. I. The confederacy of the northern crowns against Israel (Jos 11:1-5). II. The encouragement which God gave to Joshua to engage them (Jos 11:6). III. His victory over them (Jos 11:7-9). IV. The taking of their cities (Jos 11:10-15). V. The destruction of the Anakim (Jos 11:21, Jos 11:22). VI. The general conclusion of the story of this war (Jos 11:16-20, Jos 11:23).

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Original language

The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).

Strong's Concordancev. 20

יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God חָזַק (châzaq, H2388) — to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively… לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… קִרְאָה (qirʼâh, H7125) — an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare) חָרַם (châram, H2763) — to seclude; specifically (by a ban) to devote to religious uses (especially destruction);… תְּחִנָּה (tᵉchinnâh, H8467) — graciousness; causatively, entreaty שָׁמַד (shâmad, H8045) — to desolate צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver

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Cross-references

Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.

Romans 9:18rank 9

Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden.

Exodus 4:21rank 5

The LORD instructed Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders that I have put within your power. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go.

Deuteronomy 2:30rank 4

But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass through, for the LORD your God had made his spirit stubborn and his heart obstinate, that He might deliver him into your hand, as is the case this day.

Deuteronomy 7:16rank 4

You must destroy all the peoples the LORD your God will deliver to you. Do not look on them with pity. Do not worship their gods, for that will be a snare to you.

Exodus 14:17rank 3

And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. Then I will gain honor by means of Pharaoh and all his army and chariots and horsemen.

Judges 14:4rank 3

(Now his father and mother did not know this was from the LORD, who was seeking an occasion to move against the Philistines; for at that time the Philistines were ruling over Israel.)

Exodus 9:16rank 3

But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power to you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.

I Kings 12:15rank 1

So the king did not listen to the people, and indeed this turn of events was from the LORD, to fulfill the word He had spoken to Jeroboam son of Nebat through Ahijah the Shilonite.

I Samuel 2:25rank 1

If a man sins against another man, God can intercede for him; but if a man sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to their father, since the LORD intended to put them to death.

II Chronicles 25:16rank 1

While he was still speaking, the king asked, “Have we made you the counselor to the king? Stop! Why be struck down?” So the prophet stopped, but he said, “I know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have done this and have not heeded my advice.”

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