Joshua 11:19
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Joshua 11:19
19 There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, save the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon: all other they took in battle.
Chapter Context
Joshua 11 is a historical narrative chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of prayer, creation, obedience. Written during the conquest of Canaan (c. 1406-1375 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Canaan was fragmented into city-states with various tribal alliances and religious practices.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-23: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it offers practical wisdom for godly living in a fallen world. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Joshua and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Joshua 11:19
19 There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, save the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon: all other they took in battle.
Analysis
There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, save the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon—The exclusivity is striking: only Gibeon sought peace (chapter 9), and that through deception. The phrase made peace (הִשְׁלִימָה, hishlimah) comes from shalom (שָׁלוֹם), meaning peace, wholeness, or covenant relationship. Every other city chose warfare over surrender.
All other they took in battle (אֶת־הַכֹּל לָקְחוּ בַּמִּלְחָמָה, et-hakol laqchu bamilchamah)—The comprehensive all reinforces total military conquest. This universal resistance demands explanation, which verse 20 provides: God hardened their hearts. From a human perspective, the cities' refusal to surrender seems foolish—Israel's reputation from Egypt and Transjordan conquests (2:9-11) should have prompted capitulation. Yet divine hardening ensured judgment's thoroughness. The Gibeonite exception proves the rule: had cities sought peace, survival was possible (though Joshua's oath to Gibeon came from deception, not divine command). The New Testament parallel is sobering: 'Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts' (Hebrews 3:7-8). Persistent resistance to God leads to judicial hardening unto destruction.
Historical Context
Gibeon's treaty (Joshua 9) occurred early in the conquest, before Canaan's cities understood Israel's strength and divine mandate. The southern coalition's attack on Gibeon (chapter 10) demonstrates that making peace with Israel was considered treason by other Canaanite kings. This peer pressure and political reality made surrender difficult even when militarily prudent. Ancient Near Eastern warfare typically allowed cities to surrender before siege, becoming vassals paying tribute. The Canaanite cities' refusal to exercise this option—despite Israel's overwhelming success—requires theological explanation: divine hardening for judgment. The Gibeonite survival shows that Rahab's faith-based surrender at Jericho (chapter 2) wasn't unique—others could have sought mercy. Their refusal stemmed from hardened hearts, fulfilling God's purpose to execute judgment and give Israel the land completely. The historical reality of near-universal resistance facilitated thorough Canaanite removal, preventing the syncretism that partial conquest would have fostered. Despite this, Israel's incomplete obedience left Canaanite remnants that later became 'snares' (Judges 2:3).
Reflection
- What does the near-universal refusal to make peace teach about humanity's natural hostility toward God apart from His grace?
- How does the Gibeonite exception demonstrate that seeking peace with God's people—even imperfectly—finds mercy?
- What warnings does this verse provide about the danger of persistent resistance to God leading to judicial hardening?