King James Version

What Does Joshua 11:13 Mean?

Joshua 11:13 in the King James Version says “But as for the cities that stood still in their strength, Israel burned none of them, save Hazor only; that did Joshua b...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But as for the cities that stood still in their strength, Israel burned none of them, save Hazor only; that did Joshua burn. in their: Heb. on their heap”

Joshua 11:13 · KJV

StrengthSalvation

Context

11

And they smote all the souls that were therein with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying them: there was not any left to breathe: and he burnt Hazor with fire. any: Heb. any breath

12

And all the cities of those kings, and all the kings of them, did Joshua take, and smote them with the edge of the sword, and he utterly destroyed them, as Moses the servant of the LORD commanded.

13

But as for the cities that stood still in their strength, Israel burned none of them, save Hazor only; that did Joshua burn. in their: Heb. on their heap

14

And all the spoil of these cities, and the cattle, the children of Israel took for a prey unto themselves; but every man they smote with the edge of the sword, until they had destroyed them, neither left they any to breathe.

15

As the LORD commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses. left: Heb. removed nothing

Read Joshua 11 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But as for the cities that stood still in their strength, Israel burned none of them, save Hazor only—The phrase stood still in their strength (הָעֹמְדוֹת עַל־תִּלָּם, ha'omedot al-tillam) literally means 'standing on their mounds,' referring to fortified cities built on tells (artificial hills from successive occupation layers). Israel's selective destruction policy preserved infrastructure for future habitation while eliminating the symbolic power center.

The Hebrew tel (תֵּל, mound) appears throughout Near Eastern archaeology—centuries of rebuilding on the same site created elevated settlements. Save Hazor only emphasizes Hazor's unique status as the coalition's head (verse 10). Burning only the capital sent a clear message: resistance headquarters destroyed, but productive cities preserved for Israel's use. This strategic pragmatism combined divine judgment with wise stewardship, showing God's commands serve both justice and His people's welfare. The contrast between comprehensive human destruction (herem) and selective urban destruction demonstrates nuanced obedience—Joshua destroyed what God commanded (people) while preserving what would serve covenant community (cities).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Archaeological surveys in northern Canaan confirm this pattern. Hazor shows massive Late Bronze Age destruction by fire (13th century BC), with ash layers several feet thick. Other northern sites from this period show conquest damage but not the total conflagration that characterizes Hazor. Cities built on tells were extremely valuable—their elevated positions provided defense, drainage, and visibility. Rebuilding from scratch would require enormous labor; preserving existing infrastructure allowed rapid Israelite settlement. Ancient Near Eastern conquest typically either destroyed cities completely or preserved them intact as vassals. Israel's selective approach—eliminating populations while preserving select cities—was unusual, reflecting specific divine direction rather than conventional warfare practice. The tel phenomenon dominates Palestinian archaeology; modern excavations of biblical sites typically involve tells with occupation layers spanning millennia.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does selective judgment (destroying some while preserving others) demonstrate both God's justice and practical wisdom?
  2. What 'infrastructure' in your spiritual life should be preserved and repurposed rather than completely destroyed during renewal?
  3. How does this verse challenge all-or-nothing thinking about God's commands, showing nuanced obedience to different aspects of divine will?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
רַ֣ק1 of 15
H7535

properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although

כָּל2 of 15
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הֶֽעָרִ֗ים3 of 15

“But as for the cities”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

הָעֹֽמְדוֹת֙4 of 15

“that stood”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

עַל5 of 15
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

תִּלָּ֔ם6 of 15

“still in their strength”

H8510

a mound

לֹ֥א7 of 15
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

שָׂרַ֥ף8 of 15

“burn”

H8313

to be (causatively, set) on fire

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל9 of 15

“Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

זֽוּלָתִ֛י10 of 15

“none of them save”

H2108

probably scattering, i.e., removal; used adverbially, except

אֶת11 of 15
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

חָצ֥וֹר12 of 15

“Hazor”

H2674

chatsor, the name (thus simply) of two places in palestine and of one in arabia

לְבַדָּ֖הּ13 of 15
H905

properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit

שָׂרַ֥ף14 of 15

“burn”

H8313

to be (causatively, set) on fire

יְהוֹשֻֽׁעַ׃15 of 15

“only that did Joshua”

H3091

jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Joshua. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Joshua 11:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joshua 11:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 30:18

Places in This Verse

Hazor 1Settlement · Modern: Tel Hazor · 33.02°N, 35.57°E11 verses across 5 books
View all places in Joshua 11 →

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