King James Version

What Does Joshua 17:18 Mean?

Joshua 17:18 in the King James Version says “But the mountain shall be thine; for it is a wood, and thou shalt cut it down: and the outgoings of it shall be thine: f... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

But the mountain shall be thine; for it is a wood, and thou shalt cut it down: and the outgoings of it shall be thine: for thou shalt drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots, and though they be strong.

Joshua 17:18 · KJV


Context

16

And the children of Joseph said, The hill is not enough for us: and all the Canaanites that dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron, both they who are of Bethshean and her towns, and they who are of the valley of Jezreel.

17

And Joshua spake unto the house of Joseph, even to Ephraim and to Manasseh, saying, Thou art a great people, and hast great power: thou shalt not have one lot only:

18

But the mountain shall be thine; for it is a wood, and thou shalt cut it down: and the outgoings of it shall be thine: for thou shalt drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots, and though they be strong.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The mountain shall be thine; for it is a wood, and thou shalt cut it down—Joshua's solution: work hard and trust God. The verb bara (בָּרָא, 'to cut down/clear') means intensive labor. The forested hill country required clearing before settlement, but it would be theirs. Thou shalt drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots affirms divine enablement supersedes military technology.

This verse balances human responsibility ('cut it down') with divine promise ('thou shalt drive out'). Faith without works is dead (James 2:17)—they must labor, but God guarantees victory. The 'though' clause eliminates their excuse: iron chariots don't nullify God's covenant.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Hill country forestland was less desirable initially but offered security and resources. Clearing forests for agriculture was grueling work in Bronze Age Palestine, requiring iron tools ironically obtained from defeated Canaanites. This prepared Israel for eventual dominance.

Reflection Questions

  1. What hard work is God calling you to while promising ultimate success beyond your ability?
  2. How does this verse challenge both passivity (waiting for God to act) and self-reliance (trusting your own strength)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
כִּ֣י1 of 22
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הַ֤ר2 of 22

But the mountain

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

יִֽהְיֶה3 of 22
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לָּךְ֙4 of 22
H0
כִּֽי5 of 22
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יַ֣עַר6 of 22

shall be thine for it is a wood

H3293

a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees)

ה֔וּא7 of 22
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וּבֵ֣רֵאת֔וֹ8 of 22

and thou shalt cut it down

H1254

(absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes)

וְהָיָ֥ה9 of 22
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לְךָ֖10 of 22
H0
תֹּֽצְאֹתָ֑יו11 of 22

and the outgoings

H8444

(only in plural collective) exit, i.e., (geographical) boundary, or (figuratively) deliverance, (actively) source

כִּֽי12 of 22
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

תוֹרִ֣ישׁ13 of 22

of it shall be thine for thou shalt drive out

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

אֶת14 of 22
H853

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

הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֗י15 of 22

the Canaanites

H3669

a kenaanite or inhabitant of kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the canaanites standing for their neighbors the ishmaelites, who conducted mercantile c

כִּ֣י16 of 22
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

רֶ֤כֶב17 of 22

chariots

H7393

a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone

בַּרְזֶל֙18 of 22

though they have iron

H1270

iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement

ל֔וֹ19 of 22
H0
כִּ֥י20 of 22
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

חָזָ֖ק21 of 22

and though they be strong

H2389

strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent)

הֽוּא׃22 of 22
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo


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 17:18 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 17:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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