King James Version

What Does Joshua 11:16 Mean?

Joshua 11:16 in the King James Version says “So Joshua took all that land, the hills, and all the south country, and all the land of Goshen, and the valley, and the ...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“So Joshua took all that land, the hills, and all the south country, and all the land of Goshen, and the valley, and the plain, and the mountain of Israel, and the valley of the same;”

Joshua 11:16 · KJV

Context

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

16

So Joshua took all that land, the hills, and all the south country, and all the land of Goshen, and the valley, and the plain, and the mountain of Israel, and the valley of the same;

17

Even from the mount Halak, that goeth up to Seir, even unto Baalgad in the valley of Lebanon under mount Hermon: and all their kings he took, and smote them, and slew them. the mount: or, the smooth mountain

18

Joshua made war a long time with all those kings.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
So Joshua took all that land—The comprehensive summary begins with emphatic totality. The verb took (לָקַח, laqach) indicates decisive possession, not merely passing conquest. The geographic catalog that follows—the hills, and all the south country, and all the land of Goshen, and the valley, and the plain, and the mountain of Israel, and the valley of the same—encompasses Canaan's diverse terrain from multiple perspectives.

The hills (hahar, הָהָר) refers to the central highlands running north-south through Canaan. The south country (hanegev, הַנֶּגֶב, the Negev) designates the arid southern region. The land of Goshen (not Egypt's Goshen, but a Judean region near Hebron) appears in 10:41. The valley (hashfelah, הַשְּׁפֵלָה) means lowlands or foothills between coast and highlands. The plain (ha'aravah, הָעֲרָבָה) refers to the Jordan rift valley. The mountain of Israel likely designates the northern highlands (later Ephraim and Manasseh). This geographical comprehensiveness demonstrates complete fulfillment of divine promise—every terrain type, every region, came under Israelite control through Joshua's faithful leadership.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The geographical diversity described reflects Canaan's remarkable topographical variety within a relatively small area. The central mountain range reaches elevations over 3,000 feet. The Shephelah foothills transition from highlands to coastal plain. The Negev's arid climate supported pastoralism more than agriculture. The Arabah (Jordan Valley) drops to 1,300 feet below sea level at the Dead Sea—the lowest point on earth. Each terrain type required different settlement strategies and supported different economies. Israel's control of all these zones gave them strategic depth and economic diversity. The 'land of Goshen' in Judah (distinct from Egypt's Goshen) appears in Joshua 10:41 and 15:51. Archaeological evidence shows Late Bronze Age settlement patterns across all these regions, with destruction layers at many sites corresponding to the conquest period. The systematic geographical catalogue serves both memorial and legal purposes—future generations would know precisely what territories God gave Israel.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's provision of diverse terrain types illustrate His attention to comprehensive needs—agriculture, pasture, trade, defense?
  2. What 'complete inheritance' has God given you that requires recognizing diverse aspects rather than focusing on one dimension?
  3. How does geographical comprehensiveness in conquest encourage faith that God's promises cover all areas of life, not just select domains?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַיִּקַּ֨ח1 of 22

“took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ2 of 22

“So Joshua”

H3091

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

אֶת3 of 22
H853

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

כָּל4 of 22
H3605

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

אֶ֣רֶץ5 of 22

“all that land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

הַזֹּ֗את6 of 22
H2063

this (often used adverb)

הַ֥ר7 of 22

“and the mountain”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

וְאֶת8 of 22
H853

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

כָּל9 of 22
H3605

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

הַנֶּ֙גֶב֙10 of 22

“and all the south country”

H5045

the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)

וְאֵת֙11 of 22
H853

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

כָּל12 of 22
H3605

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

אֶ֣רֶץ13 of 22

“all that land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

הַגֹּ֔שֶׁן14 of 22

“of Goshen”

H1657

goshen, the residence of the israelites in egypt; also a place in palestine

וְאֶת15 of 22
H853

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

וּשְׁפֵֽלָתֹֽה׃16 of 22

“and the valley”

H8219

lowland, i.e., (with the article) the maritime slope of palestine

וְאֶת17 of 22
H853

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

הָֽעֲרָבָ֑ה18 of 22

“and the plain”

H6160

a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the jordan and its continuation to the red sea

וְאֶת19 of 22
H853

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

הַ֥ר20 of 22

“and the mountain”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל21 of 22

“of Israel”

H3478

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

וּשְׁפֵֽלָתֹֽה׃22 of 22

“and the valley”

H8219

lowland, i.e., (with the article) the maritime slope of palestine

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 11:16 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 11:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 10:41Joshua 12:8Joshua 11:21Deuteronomy 34:2-3Genesis 15:18-21Ezekiel 36:8

Places in This Verse

ArabahRegion · Modern: Arabah · 30.42°N, 35.15°E26 verses across 10 books
Goshen 2Region · Modern: Dahriya · 31.41°N, 34.97°E2 verses across 1 book
NegebRegion · Modern: Tel Beer Sheva · 31.24°N, 34.84°E43 verses across 13 books
ShephelahRegion · Modern: Shephelah · 31.69°N, 34.88°E19 verses across 9 books
View all places in Joshua 11 →

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