King James Version

What Does Joshua 11:8 Mean?

Joshua 11:8 in the King James Version says “And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon, and unto Misrepho...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon, and unto Misrephothmaim, and unto the valley of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left them none remaining. great Zidon: or, Zidonrabbah Misrephothmaim: or, Salt pits: Heb. Burnings of waters”

Joshua 11:8 · King James Version

Salvation

Context

6

And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.

7

So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom suddenly; and they fell upon them.

8

And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon, and unto Misrephothmaim, and unto the valley of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left them none remaining. great Zidon: or, Zidonrabbah Misrephothmaim: or, Salt pits: Heb. Burnings of waters

9

And Joshua did unto them as the LORD bade him: he houghed their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire.

10

And Joshua at that time turned back, and took Hazor, and smote the king thereof with the sword: for Hazor beforetime was the head of all those kingdoms.

Read Joshua 11 full chapter

Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you ensure God receives credit for victories in your life, rather than your own abilities?
  2. What does thorough obedience to God's commands look like in spiritual warfare?
  3. How does this victory encourage you when facing enemies with superior 'technology' or resources?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַיִּתְּנֵ֨ם1 of 22

“delivered”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

יְהוָ֥ה2 of 22

“And the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בְּיַֽד3 of 22

“them into the hand”

H3027

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

יִשְׂרָאֵל֮4 of 22

“of Israel”

H3478

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

וַיַּכֻּ֕ם5 of 22

“and they smote”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

וַֽיִּרְדְּפ֞וּם6 of 22

“them and chased”

H7291

to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)

עַד7 of 22
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

צִיד֣וֹן8 of 22

“Zidon”

H6721

tsidon, the name of a son of canaan, and of a place in palestine

רַבָּ֗ה9 of 22

“them unto great”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

וְעַד֙10 of 22
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

מִשְׂרְפ֣וֹת11 of 22
H0
מַ֔יִם12 of 22

“and unto Misrephothmaim”

H4956

misrephoth-majim, a place in palestine

וְעַד13 of 22
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

בִּקְעַ֥ת14 of 22

“and unto the valley”

H1237

properly, a split, i.e., a wide level valley between mountains

מִצְפֶּ֖ה15 of 22

“of Mizpeh”

H4708

mitspeh, the name of five places in palestine

מִזְרָ֑חָה16 of 22

“eastward”

H4217

sunrise, i.e., the east

וַיַּכֻּ֕ם17 of 22

“and they smote”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

עַד18 of 22
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

בִּלְתִּ֥י19 of 22
H1115

properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n

הִשְׁאִֽיר20 of 22

“them until they left”

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

לָהֶ֖ם21 of 22
H0
שָׂרִֽיד׃22 of 22

“them none remaining”

H8300

a survivor

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 11:8 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 11:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 13:6Joshua 19:28Genesis 10:15Zechariah 9:2Joshua 11:3Genesis 49:13

Places in This Verse

Misrephoth-maimRiver · Modern: Litani River · 33.34°N, 35.25°E2 verses across 1 book
SidonSettlement · Modern: Sandikli archaeological site in Sidon · 33.56°N, 35.37°E37 verses across 16 books
Valley of MizpehValley · Modern: Mount Hermon · 33.40°N, 35.85°E1 verse across 1 book
View all places in Joshua 11 →

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