Joshua 11:4
And they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people, even as the sand that is upon the sea shore in multitude, with horses and chariots very many.
Original Language Analysis
וַיֵּֽצְא֣וּ
And they went out
H3318
וַיֵּֽצְא֣וּ
And they went out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
1 of 17
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מַֽחֲנֵיהֶם֙
they and all their hosts
H4264
מַֽחֲנֵיהֶם֙
they and all their hosts
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
4 of 17
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
עִמָּ֔ם
H5973
עִמָּ֔ם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
5 of 17
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
עַם
people
H5971
עַם
people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
6 of 17
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
9 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
שְׂפַֽת
shore
H8193
שְׂפַֽת
shore
Strong's:
H8193
Word #:
11 of 17
the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
הַיָּ֖ם
that is upon the sea
H3220
הַיָּ֖ם
that is upon the sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
12 of 17
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
וָרֶ֖כֶב
and chariots
H7393
וָרֶ֖כֶב
and chariots
Strong's:
H7393
Word #:
15 of 17
a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone
Cross References
Judges 7:12And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.1 Samuel 13:5And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Beth-aven.Genesis 22:17That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;Genesis 32:12And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.
Historical Context
Hazor was the largest Canaanite city-state in the north (200 acres), controlling vital trade routes. Archaeological excavations confirm massive destruction layers from this period (1230-1220 BC). The coalition's chariotry represented cutting-edge Bronze Age military technology, giving them overwhelming tactical superiority on the northern plains—making Israel's victory impossible without divine intervention.
Questions for Reflection
- What modern 'chariots and horses' do you trust in rather than God's power?
- How does God use overwhelming opposition to demonstrate His faithfulness to His promises?
- Why does God often place His people in situations where human resources are insufficient?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Much people, even as the sand that is upon the sea shore in multitude, with horses and chariots very many—The northern coalition's overwhelming force (רֹב, rov, great abundance) represents humanity's greatest military threat to Israel. The comparison to sand (חוֹל, chol) echoes God's promise to Abraham (Genesis 22:17), ironically juxtaposing covenant blessing against Canaanite opposition.
The emphasis on horses and chariots (סוּסִים וְרֶכֶב, susim v'rekhev) highlights advanced military technology—the ancient equivalent of tanks and air support. Yet God specifically commanded Israel not to rely on such weaponry (Deuteronomy 17:16), teaching dependence on divine power rather than human strength. This foreshadows David's later psalm: 'Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God' (Psalm 20:7).