King James Version

What Does Joshua 24:11 Mean?

Joshua 24:11 in the King James Version says “And ye went over Jordan, and came unto Jericho: and the men of Jericho fought against you, the Amorites, and the Perizzi...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And ye went over Jordan, and came unto Jericho: and the men of Jericho fought against you, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; and I delivered them into your hand.”

Joshua 24:11 · KJV

Salvation

Context

9

Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you:

10

But I would not hearken unto Balaam; therefore he blessed you still: so I delivered you out of his hand.

11

And ye went over Jordan, and came unto Jericho: and the men of Jericho fought against you, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; and I delivered them into your hand.

12

And I sent the hornet before you, which drave them out from before you, even the two kings of the Amorites; but not with thy sword, nor with thy bow.

13

And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Ye went over Jordan, and came unto Jericho (וַתַּעַבְרוּ אֶת־הַיַּרְדֵּן וַתָּבֹאוּ אֶל־יְרִיחוֹ)—the crossing of Yarden (יַרְדֵּן, Jordan) via miraculous stoppage of waters (Joshua 3) paralleled the Red Sea crossing, demonstrating God's continued presence. Jericho (יְרִיחוֹ), Israel's first conquest, fell through faith, not military might—priests circled the city with ark and trumpets until walls collapsed (Joshua 6).

The men of Jericho fought against you, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites—this sevenfold list represents complete conquest of all Canaanite peoples. I delivered them into your hand (וָאֶתֵּן אוֹתָם בְּיָדְכֶם)—the verb natan (to give/deliver) emphasizes divine gift. Israel's military victories resulted from God fighting for them (Joshua 10:14, 42), not superior tactics or strength.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Jordan crossing occurred around 1406 BC during harvest season when the river flooded (Joshua 3:15). Jericho's fall inaugurated seven years of conquest (1406-1399 BC). The seven nations listed represent Canaan's diverse population: Amorites (hill country), Perizzites (forest dwellers), Canaanites (lowland/coast), Hittites (northern settlements, remnants of Hittite Empire), Girgashites (central region), Hivites (northern cities), Jebusites (Jerusalem area). Archaeological evidence shows destruction layers at Hazor, Lachish, and other cities consistent with Joshua's conquest accounts. The complete list emphasizes total victory across all regions.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the Jordan crossing parallel the Red Sea deliverance as a pattern of baptism and new life?
  2. What does Jericho's fall through faith rather than military strategy teach about spiritual warfare?
  3. Why does Scripture emphasize 'I delivered them into your hand'—what does this prevent in Israel's self-understanding?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַתַּֽעַבְר֣וּ1 of 20

“And ye went over”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

אֶת2 of 20
H853

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

הַיַּרְדֵּן֮3 of 20

“Jordan”

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

וַתָּבֹ֣אוּ4 of 20

“and came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל5 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְ֠רִיחוֹ6 of 20

“of Jericho”

H3405

jericho or jerecho, a place in palestine

וַיִּלָּֽחֲמ֣וּ7 of 20

“fought”

H3898

to feed on; figuratively, to consume

בָכֶ֣ם8 of 20
H0
בַּעֲלֵֽי9 of 20

“and the men”

H1167

a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)

יְ֠רִיחוֹ10 of 20

“of Jericho”

H3405

jericho or jerecho, a place in palestine

הָֽאֱמֹרִ֨י11 of 20

“against you the Amorites”

H567

an emorite, one of the canaanitish tribes

וְהַפְּרִזִּ֜י12 of 20

“and the Perizzites”

H6522

a perizzite, one of the canaanitish tribes

וְהַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֗י13 of 20

“and 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

וְהַֽחִתִּי֙14 of 20

“and the Hittites”

H2850

a chittite, or descendant of cheth

וְהַגִּרְגָּשִׁ֔י15 of 20

“and the Girgashites”

H1622

a girgashite, one of the native tribes of canaan

הַֽחִוִּ֖י16 of 20

“the Hivites”

H2340

a chivvite, one of the indigenous tribes of palestine

וְהַיְבוּסִ֑י17 of 20

“and the Jebusites”

H2983

a jebusite or inhabitant of jebus

וָֽאֶתֵּ֥ן18 of 20

“and I delivered”

H5414

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

אוֹתָ֖ם19 of 20
H853

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

בְּיֶדְכֶֽם׃20 of 20

“them into your 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

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 24:11 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 24:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 3:14-17Joshua 4:10-12Exodus 23:23Deuteronomy 7:1Joshua 4:23Psalms 105:44

Places in This Verse

Jericho 1Settlement · Modern: Tell es Sultan · 31.87°N, 35.44°E63 verses across 13 books
JordanRiver · Modern: Jordan River · 31.76°N, 35.56°E202 verses across 21 books
View all places in Joshua 24 →

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