King James Version

What Does Joshua 7:9 Mean?

Joshua 7:9 in the King James Version says “For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our nam...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy great name?”

Joshua 7:9 · KJV

Context

7

And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord GOD, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan!

8

O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies! backs: Heb. necks

9

For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy great name?

10

And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? liest: Heb. fallest

11

Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.

Read Joshua 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Joshua's prayer reaches its climax: concern for God's name and reputation. 'The Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it'—Israel's defeat will embolden enemies and spread throughout Canaan. The verb 'hear' (shama', שָׁמַע) carries weight—hearing leads to action. When Canaanites hear of Israel's vulnerability, they'll unite against them. Joshua's fear 'shall environ us round'—surround and destroy—envisions strategic catastrophe. His ultimate concern: 'what wilt thou do unto thy great name?' This is theologically sound reasoning: God's reputation is tied to Israel's success because He publicly identified Himself with them. If Israel is destroyed, the nations will blaspheme God's name, suggesting He couldn't fulfill His promises. This echoes Moses's intercession after the golden calf (Exodus 32:11-13) and when Israel refused to enter Canaan (Numbers 14:13-16). Yet there's irony: Joshua rightly worries about God's reputation but hasn't considered that tolerating sin in the camp also dishonors God's name. God's holiness is as much part of His reputation as His power.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The concern for God's 'great name' reflects ancient Near Eastern theology where deities' reputations rose or fell based on their nations' military success. When Assyria conquered nations, they claimed their god Ashur's superiority; when Babylon defeated Assyria, Marduk's supremacy was proclaimed. Israel's theology differed—Yahweh was actually supreme—but the cultural framework meant nations judged gods by observable outcomes. Joshua's prayer recognizes this reality: Israel's failure would cause Canaanites to mock Yahweh, not just Israel. This wasn't merely human pride but legitimate concern for God's glory among nations. The phrase 'cut off our name from the earth' uses extinction language—complete annihilation of Israel's identity and memory. Joshua envisions worst-case scenario: covenant people destroyed, promises unfulfilled, God's name blasphemed. His theological instincts are right—God's glory is paramount. But his diagnosis is wrong—God hasn't abandoned Israel; Israel has violated covenant through Achan's sin.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does concern for God's glory differ from concern for personal or corporate reputation?
  2. What does it mean that God's holiness (punishing sin) and God's power (giving victory) both protect His reputation?
  3. How can we intercede for God's name to be honored while examining our own hearts for covenant violations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וְיִשְׁמְע֣וּ1 of 16

“shall hear”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֗י2 of 16

“For 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

וְכֹל֙3 of 16
H3605

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

יֹֽשְׁבֵ֣י4 of 16

“and all the inhabitants”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

הָאָ֑רֶץ5 of 16

“from the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וְנָסַ֣בּוּ6 of 16

“of it and shall environ us round”

H5437

to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively

עָלֵ֔ינוּ7 of 16
H5921

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

וְהִכְרִ֥יתוּ8 of 16

“and cut off”

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

אֶת9 of 16
H853

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

לְשִׁמְךָ֥10 of 16

“name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

מִן11 of 16
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הָאָ֑רֶץ12 of 16

“from the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וּמַֽה13 of 16
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

תַּעֲשֵׂ֖ה14 of 16

“and what wilt thou do”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לְשִׁמְךָ֥15 of 16

“name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

הַגָּדֽוֹל׃16 of 16

“unto thy great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

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 7:9 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 7:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 32:12Ezekiel 36:22-23Psalms 83:4John 12:28Numbers 14:13Joel 2:17

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