Joshua 11:21
And at that time came Joshua, and cut off the Anakims from the mountains, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the mountains of Judah, and from all the mountains of Israel: Joshua destroyed them utterly with their cities.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
The Anakim were associated with the Rephaim, ancient peoples known for unusual height. Deuteronomy 2:10-11, 20-21 mentions several giant races: Emim, Zamzumim, Rephaim. Whether literally giants or hyperbolic description of formidable warriors, the Anakim represented Israel's greatest fear at Kadesh-Barnea. Their strongholds—Hebron, Debir, Anab—were fortified highland cities. Archaeological excavations at Hebron and Debir (Tel Beit Mirsim or Khirbet Rabud) show Late Bronze Age destruction. Anab was in the Judean highlands. The mountainous terrain favored defenders, making these cities especially formidable. The Anakim's elimination was crucial psychologically and strategically—removing the threat that had paralyzed Israel's faith decades earlier and securing the strategic highlands. Caleb's later conquest of Hebron (15:13-14) personalizes this victory. The remnant Anakim in Philistine cities (verse 22) included Goliath's family (2 Samuel 21:16-22), showing incomplete extermination had lasting consequences. David's defeat of these giants echoed Joshua's victories, demonstrating God's continuing faithfulness across generations.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'giants' from your past—fears or obstacles that once seemed insurmountable—can faith in God's promises now conquer?
- How does this generation's victory over what defeated the previous generation encourage you that past failures don't determine future outcomes?
- What incomplete spiritual victories (like Anakim remaining in Gaza, Gath, Ashdod) create ongoing struggles in your life?
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Analysis & Commentary
And at that time came Joshua, and cut off the Anakims from the mountains—The Anakim (עֲנָקִים, Anaqim) were the giant race that terrified the faithless spies forty years earlier (Numbers 13:28, 33). Their presence in the mountains had caused Israel's fathers to refuse entering Canaan, resulting in forty years of wilderness wandering. Now Joshua systematically eliminates them from their strongholds: Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the mountains of Judah, and from all the mountains of Israel.
The verb cut off (כָּרַת, karat) means to cut down, destroy, or exterminate—the same verb used for covenant-making (literally 'cutting' covenant). Joshua destroyed them utterly with their cities (הֶחֱרִימָם יְהוֹשֻׁעַ עִם־עָרֵיהֶם, hecherimam Yehoshua im-areihem)—the herem ban applied completely. This victory demonstrates that faith overcomes obstacles that terrified previous generations. What stopped Israel's fathers (faithlessness before giants) posed no obstacle to Joshua's faithful generation. The theological principle: yesterday's insurmountable problems become today's conquered enemies when God's people trust His promises. Caleb's later request for Hebron (14:12-15) shows personal investment—he would possess the very territory the giants once held.