Bible Commentaries
Go deeper in Scripture
Browse trusted public-domain commentary alongside DiscipleDeck Bible study. References inside each commentary open Bible previews in place.
27,299 commentary entries
The Pulpit Commentary
The Pulpit Commentary on Joshua 11:7
Suddenly (see remarks in Introduction on Joshua's characteristics as a general. Also Joshua 10:9). And they fell upon them. This phrase denotes the rapidity of the onset. While they deemed him to be leagues away, he sud…
The Pulpit Commentary on Joshua 11:8
And the Lord delivered them (see Joshua 10:42). The issue of every battle is in God's hands. The natural man attributes it to human skill. The spiritual man, whether under the law or under the gospel, acknowledges the t…
The Pulpit Commentary on Joshua 11:10
Turned back. From his march toward Sidon. For Hazor beforetime was the head of all those kingdoms (see note on Joshua 11:1).
The Pulpit Commentary on Joshua 11:11
Utterly destroying them (see note on Joshua 6:17; so below, Joshua 6:12). There was not any left to breathe (see note on Joshua 10:40). And he burnt Hazor with fire. Comparing this verse with Joshua 11:13 and Joshua 11:…
The Pulpit Commentary on Joshua 11:13
The cities that stood still in their strength. This is the rendering of the Chaldee version. The LXX. has κεχωματισμένας, heaped up, i.e; defended with mounds. Rather, on their hill ("in collibus et in tumulis sitae,"…
The Pulpit Commentary on Joshua 11:14
Took for a prey unto themselves (see Joshua 8:2, Joshua 8:27, and notes).
The Pulpit Commentary on Joshua 11:15
As the Lord Commanded Moses (see note on Joshua 10:40). So did Joshua. The implicit obedience of Joshua to all the commands he had received of God, whether directly or indirectly through Moses, is a striking feature of…
The Pulpit Commentary on Joshua 11:15
God's commandment and man's faithfulness. I. GOD'S COMMANDMENT IS ENDURING. The commandment to Moses is transmitted to Joshua. God's will is changeless. What is right is right eternally. We must not regard God's laws as…
The Pulpit Commentary on Joshua 11:16
All that land. Rather, "all this land ;" the land, that is, which has been spoken of in all the previous narrative. It must not be pressed to mean the utter destruction of all the Canaanites, and the undisturbed possess…
The Pulpit Commentary on Joshua 11:17
The Mount Halak. The smooth mountain. Literally," monte glabro," Vulg.; λεῖον, Symmachus. This may either be interpreted "the mountain bare of foliage," as opposed to Seir, the hairy or wooded mountain, as Masius and R…
The Pulpit Commentary on Joshua 11:18
A long time. Hebrew, many days. The campaign in southern Israel lasted for weeks, perhaps even months. But the campaign in northern Palestine must have lasted longer. The vast host which gathered at the waters of Merom…
The Pulpit Commentary on Joshua 11:20
Hearts hardened by God. I. WHEN GOD HARDENS A MAN'S HEART IT IS BECAUSE HIS CHARACTER IS SUCH AS TO TURN GOD'S RIGHTEOUS ACTION TO THIS RESULT. The same act of Providence which hardens one heart softens another. Prosper…
The Pulpit Commentary on Joshua 11:20
To harden their hearts (cf. Exodus 4:21; Exodus 7:23). Muller, 'Christian Doctrine of Sin,' 2.412, says that "Scripture never speaks of God's hardening men's hearts, save in connection with His revelations through Moses…
The Pulpit Commentary on Joshua 11:20
The extermination of the Canaanites. The terrible extermination of the Canaanitish nations remains a mystery too hard for us to understand. "It was of the Lord," we read (Joshua 11:20). The history of Israel is designed…
The Pulpit Commentary on Joshua 11:20
Doomed to destruction. The evil men do often appears to be attributed in Scripture to the Divine will and agency (Exodus 4:21; Jud Exodus 1:14 :4; 1 Kings 12:15; Romans 9:17, Romans 9:18). Reason and conscience, indeed,…
The Pulpit Commentary on Joshua 11:21
And at that time (see Joshua 11:18). What is meant is, during the continuance of the war in which the country above described was conquered. The destruction of the Anakim was the conclusion of the work, and was rendered…
The Pulpit Commentary on Joshua 11:22
Only in Gaza. This statement is confirmed by what we afterwards read. In Gath especially (1 Samuel 17:4; 2 Samuel 21:18-22; 1 Chronicles 20:4-8, the last passage preserving the true text, which has become hopelessly cor…
The Pulpit Commentary on Joshua 11:23
Joshua took the whole land. The word must not be pressed to mean that every Canaanitish stronghold was razed or appropriated. The word כֹל, as has been before remarked, has a very loose signification in Hebrew. What is…
The Pulpit Commentary on Joshua 11:23
Rest from war. These words bring us a grateful sense of relief. We are weary of reading the long catalogue of bloody victories—how of one city after another it is said, "They smote all the souls that were therein with t…
The Pulpit Commentary on Joshua 11:23
Victory and rest. I. THE TRUE CHRISTIAN WARFARE IS DESTINED TO END IN VICTORY. II. WHEN VICTORY IS ATTAINED IT WILL BE AS AMPLE COMPENSATION FOR THE HARDSHIPS OF THE CHRISTIAN WARFARE. (a) the home of our souls and the…
The Pulpit Commentary on Joshua 11:23
The promise fulfilled. It is well to note the absolute fulfilment of God's promises. That which He has done for others He will do for us, if we trust Him. All who commit the keeping of their souls and the guidance of th…
The Pulpit Commentary on Joshua 12:1-24
EXPOSITION THE EXTENT OF JOSHUA'S CONQUESTS.
The Pulpit Commentary on Joshua 12:1
Now these are the kings. The historian now enters upon a complete description of the whole territory which had, up to this date, fallen into the hands of the Israelites. First he traces out the border of the trans-Jorda…
The Pulpit Commentary on Joshua 12:1-24
The extent of the conquest. A few detached considerations occur to us here. I. GOD WELL NOT BE WORSE THAN HIS WORD. The reduction of the whole land had not yet been effected, but it had been rendered possible if Israel…