Joshua 11

Chap. XI. Ver. 1—23. More enemies, more battles, and more triumphs, ending in the complete subjugation of the promised land.—It is proper here to remark, that this is not the history of a single campaign, for we are expressly told, that “Joshua made war, a long time with all those kings;’ not less, certainly, than six or seven years; which is inferred from the words of Joshua himself, (Joshua 14:10), which see. Though the chapter before us is much in the strain of the one preceding, it may afford some useful observations, sufficiently varied from the preceding. First, we may remark, that in proportion to the vigour and success of the Israelites, so was the union and activity of their enemies.

The latter were by no means dejected by their defeat; but instead of sinking into languor and despair, performed fresh combinations, and renewed their energies. It is an old but useful maxim, to “learn of an enemy;” and it is adopted in the sacred writings, for the same Peter encourages Christians to the greater vigilance from this consideration,

Notes on the verses

Chap. XI. Ver. 1. Jabin was probably a common name, or the name of a dynasty of the kings of Hazor, as Pharaoh was of the kings of Egypt. See Judges. See Mn to be the same with Symira, in Cele-Syna, joined to Maron or Marath by Pliny and Pomponius Mela.—Achshaph.—[Supposed by some to be the same as Achzib or Ecdippa; from which, however, it is distinguished in ch. xix. 25—29. It was in the northern part of the tribe of Asher.]—Bagster. See Ver. 2. Chinneroth.—[Jerome and others suppose this city to be the same as was afterwards called Tiberias, now Tabaria, situated on the western shore of the lake of the same name.]—Bagster.—On the borders of Dor.—Calmet supposes this to mean, the champaign country of the higher and lower Galilee.

Ver. 4. Chariots, very many.—Namely, war-chariots. It is generally supposed that among the Canaanites, they were armed with iron scythes, fastened to their poles, and to the naves of their wheels.—Dr. Clarke. Ver. 5. Merom.—[This is what Josephus calls the lake Semechon, now called Bahr-el-Houle, (Lake Julias,) between the head of the Jordan and the lake of Tiberias. According to Josephus it was seven miles long; and, according to modern authorities, it is not above two miles broad, except at the north end, where it may be four.]—Bagster. Ver. 8. Great Zidon.—Hebrew, “Zidon Rabbah;” probably the Sidon of the ancients, illustrious for its arts and wealth long before the Trojan war.—Misrephoth-maim.—The former word signifies “salt-pits,” and the latter, “burnings.” The place was probably famous for salt springs and for hot springs: Luther translates the latter, “hot waters.” Ver. 9. He houghed their horses.—Or “maimed” them: the word is twice rendered “troubled,” in (Joshua 7:25). To hough a horse is to cut the sinews of the hinder leg at the knee. The design was evidently to prevent their being employed in war.