Joshua 11:10
And Joshua at that time turned back, and took Hazor, and smote the king thereof with the sword: for Hazor beforetime was the head of all those kingdoms.
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּ֨שָׁב
turned back
H7725
וַיָּ֨שָׁב
turned back
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
1 of 19
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
בָּעֵ֤ת
at that time
H6256
בָּעֵ֤ת
at that time
Strong's:
H6256
Word #:
3 of 19
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
הַהִיא֙
H1931
הַהִיא֙
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
4 of 19
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
וַיִּלְכֹּ֣ד
and took
H3920
וַיִּלְכֹּ֣ד
and took
Strong's:
H3920
Word #:
5 of 19
to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
חָצ֣וֹר
Hazor
H2674
חָצ֣וֹר
Hazor
Strong's:
H2674
Word #:
7 of 19
chatsor, the name (thus simply) of two places in palestine and of one in arabia
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הִכָּ֣ה
and smote
H5221
הִכָּ֣ה
and smote
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
10 of 19
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
בֶחָ֑רֶב
thereof with the sword
H2719
בֶחָ֑רֶב
thereof with the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
11 of 19
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
12 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
חָצ֣וֹר
Hazor
H2674
חָצ֣וֹר
Hazor
Strong's:
H2674
Word #:
13 of 19
chatsor, the name (thus simply) of two places in palestine and of one in arabia
לְפָנִ֔ים
beforetime
H6440
לְפָנִ֔ים
beforetime
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
14 of 19
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
הִ֕יא
H1931
הִ֕יא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
15 of 19
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
רֹ֖אשׁ
was the head
H7218
רֹ֖אשׁ
was the head
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
16 of 19
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
17 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Joshua 11:1And 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,Judges 4:2And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles.
Historical Context
Hazor was the most important city in Canaan, mentioned in Egyptian, Mesopotamian, and Mari texts as a major political power. Its king controlled trade routes from Egypt to Mesopotamia. Excavations revealed a lower city housing 20,000+ people and an upper acropolis with royal palaces. The destruction layer shows intense fire, validating verse 11's account.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'Hazor'—the controlling center of opposition in your life—needs to be confronted and conquered?
- How does defeating the 'head' of an evil system affect its subsidiary parts?
- Why must spiritual victories be consolidated, not just celebrated?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Joshua at that time turned back, and took Hazor, and smote the king thereof with the sword—After the pursuit, Joshua returned to the coalition's headquarters. Hazor (חָצוֹר, Chatzor, 'enclosure/castle') was the head of all those kingdoms (רֹאשׁ, rosh, chief/capital). Its destruction was strategically and symbolically critical—eliminating the power center that organized resistance.
The execution of Hazor's king fulfilled the pattern established with Jericho and Ai: removing Canaanite leadership to prevent future rebellion. Archaeological evidence confirms Hazor's massive size (200 acres, 10 times larger than typical Canaanite cities) and catastrophic destruction in the late 13th century BC, exactly matching Joshua's timeframe. Destroying the 'head' paralyzed the entire northern region.