Joshua 11:8
And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon, and unto Misrephoth-maim, and unto the valley of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left them none remaining.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּתְּנֵ֨ם
delivered
H5414
וַיִּתְּנֵ֨ם
delivered
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
1 of 22
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
יְהוָ֥ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בְּיַֽד
them into the hand
H3027
בְּיַֽד
them into the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
3 of 22
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
יִשְׂרָאֵל֮
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֮
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
4 of 22
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וַיַּכֻּ֕ם
and they smote
H5221
וַיַּכֻּ֕ם
and they smote
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
5 of 22
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
וַֽיִּרְדְּפ֞וּם
them and chased
H7291
וַֽיִּרְדְּפ֞וּם
them and chased
Strong's:
H7291
Word #:
6 of 22
to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
7 of 22
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
צִיד֣וֹן
Zidon
H6721
צִיד֣וֹן
Zidon
Strong's:
H6721
Word #:
8 of 22
tsidon, the name of a son of canaan, and of a place in palestine
רַבָּ֗ה
them unto great
H7227
רַבָּ֗ה
them unto great
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
9 of 22
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
וְעַד֙
H5704
וְעַד֙
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
10 of 22
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
מַ֔יִם
and unto Misrephothmaim
H4956
מַ֔יִם
and unto Misrephothmaim
Strong's:
H4956
Word #:
12 of 22
misrephoth-majim, a place in palestine
וְעַד
H5704
וְעַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
13 of 22
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
בִּקְעַ֥ת
and unto the valley
H1237
בִּקְעַ֥ת
and unto the valley
Strong's:
H1237
Word #:
14 of 22
properly, a split, i.e., a wide level valley between mountains
וַיַּכֻּ֕ם
and they smote
H5221
וַיַּכֻּ֕ם
and they smote
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
17 of 22
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
18 of 22
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
בִּלְתִּ֥י
H1115
בִּלְתִּ֥י
Strong's:
H1115
Word #:
19 of 22
properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n
Cross References
Joshua 13:6All the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon unto Misrephoth-maim, and all the Sidonians, them will I drive out from before the children of Israel: only divide thou it by lot unto the Israelites for an inheritance, as I have commanded thee.Joshua 19:28And Hebron, and Rehob, and Hammon, and Kanah, even unto great Zidon;
Historical Context
The pursuit covered over 100 miles in multiple directions, fragmenting the coalition permanently. Sidon (20 miles north of Tyre) marked Phoenician territory; Misrephoth-maim was likely a salt-refining site near the Mediterranean; Mizpeh was in the Lebanon valley. This geographic spread shows Israel's total domination of northern Canaan, securing the conquest's completion.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you ensure God receives credit for victories in your life, rather than your own abilities?
- What does thorough obedience to God's commands look like in spiritual warfare?
- How does this victory encourage you when facing enemies with superior 'technology' or resources?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel—The verb delivered (נָתַן, natan, gave/granted) attributes victory entirely to divine action, not military prowess. The comprehensive pursuit—to great Zidon (northwest), Misrephoth-maim (west), and the valley of Mizpeh eastward—shows total rout across the entire northern region.
Until they left them none remaining (עַד־בִּלְתִּי הִשְׁאִיר־לָהֶם שָׂרִיד, ad bilti hish'ir lahem sarid)—This phrase echoes the herem (חֵרֶם, devoted destruction) command. The complete victory fulfilled God's promise that 'one man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he it is that fighteth for you' (Joshua 23:10). The northern coalition's utter defeat proved that technological superiority means nothing against Yahweh's covenant faithfulness.