Joshua – Chapter 11

Old Testament23 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 11 of Joshua begins: "And when Jabin king of Asor had heard these things, he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Semeron, and to the king of Achsaph:" The chapter centers on Joshua and Moses. Across its 23 verses, two threads run through the text: God's kingdom and kingship and God's protection and deliverance. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1And when Jabin king of Asor had heard these things, he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Semeron, and to the king of Achsaph:

2And to the kings of the north, that dwelt in the mountains and in the plains over against the south side of Ceneroth, and in the levels and the countries of Dor by the sea side:

3To the Chanaanites also on the east and on the west, and the Amorrhite, and the Hethite, and the Pherezite, and the Jebusite in the mountains: to the Hevite also who dwelt at the foot of Hermon in the land of Maspha.

4And they all came out with their troops, a people exceeding numerous as the sand that is on the sea shore, their horses also and chariots a very great multitude,

5And all these kings assembled together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel.

6And the Lord said to Joshua: Fear them not: for to morrow at this same hour I will deliver all these to be slain in the sight of Israel: thou shalt hamstring their horses, and thou shalt burn their chariots with fire.

7And Joshua came, and all the army with him, against them to the waters of Merom on a sudden, and fell upon them.

8And the Lord delivered them into the hands of Israel. And they defeated them, and chased them as far as the great Sidon and the waters of Maserophot, and the field of Masphe, which is on the east thereof. He slew them all, so as to leave no remains of them:

9And he did as the Lord had commanded him, he hamstringed their horses and burned their chariots.

10And presently turning back he took Asor: and slew the king thereof with the sword. Now Asor of old was the head of all these kingdoms.

11And he cut off all the souls that abode there: he left not in it any remains, but utterly destroyed all, and burned the city itself with fire.

12And he took and put to the sword and destroyed all the cities round about, and their kings, as Moses the servant of God had commanded him.

13Except the cities that were on hills and high places, the rest Israel burned: only Asor that was very strong he consumed with fire.

14And the children of Israel divided among themselves all the spoil of these cities and the cattle, killing all the men.

15As the Lord had commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and he accomplished all: he left not one thing undone of all the commandments which the Lord had commanded Moses.

16So Joshua took all the country of the hills, and of the south, and the land of Gosen, and the plains and the west country, and the mountain of Israel, and the plains thereof:

17And part of the mountain that goeth up to Seir as far as Baalgad, by the plain of Libanus under mount Hermon: all their kings he took, smote and slew.

18Joshua made war a long time against these kings.

19There was not a city that delivered itself to the children of Israel, except the Hevite, who dwelt in Gabaon: for he took all by fight.

20For it was the sentence of the Lord, that their hearts should be hardened, and they should fight against Israel, and fall, and should not deserve any clemency, and should be destroyed as the Lord had commanded Moses.

21At that time Joshua came and cut off the Enancims from the mountains, from Hebron, and Dabir, and Anab, and from all the mountain of Juda and Israel, and destroyed their cities.

22He left not any of the stock of the Enacims, in the land of the children of Israel: except the cities of Gaza, and Geth, and Azotus, in which alone they were left.

23So Joshua took all the land, as the Lord spoke to Moses, and delivered it in possession to the children of Israel, according to their divisions and tribes. And the land rested from wars.

Important Verses in Joshua 11

And when Jabin king of Asor had heard these things, he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Semeron, and to the king of Achsaph:

Joshua 11:1

And the Lord said to Joshua: Fear them not: for to morrow at this same hour I will deliver all these to be slain in the sight of Israel: thou shalt hamstring their horses, and thou shalt burn their chariots with fire.

Joshua 11:6

For it was the sentence of the Lord, that their hearts should be hardened, and they should fight against Israel, and fall, and should not deserve any clemency, and should be destroyed as the Lord had commanded Moses.

Joshua 11:20

So Joshua took all the land, as the Lord spoke to Moses, and delivered it in possession to the children of Israel, according to their divisions and tribes. And the land rested from wars.

Joshua 11:23

Historical Context

Joshua belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for israel settled in the land, called to remember how God fulfilled His promises. Chapter 11 of 24 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 23 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on Joshua and Moses, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. The chapter begins: "And when Jabin king of Asor had heard these things, he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Semeron, and to…" It concludes: "So Joshua took all the land, as the Lord spoke to Moses, and delivered it in possession to the children of Israel,…" Read against its original backdrop, Joshua narrates the entry into Canaan, the fall of Jericho, and the division of the land among the twelve tribes. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: Events of the 13th century BC; written form developed between the 10th and 6th centuries BC.

Who Wrote It

Attributed by tradition to Joshua himself with additions by later inspired writers

When It Was Written

Events of the 13th century BC; written form developed between the 10th and 6th centuries BC

Catholic Commentary

In this 23-verse narrative, the sacred author records events that advance the story of conquest and inheritance of the Promised Land. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And when Jabin king of Asor had heard these things, he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Semeron, and to the king of Achsaph:" The passage repeatedly touches on God's kingdom and kingship.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of conquest and inheritance of the Promised Land. Catholic tradition sees Joshua as a type of Jesus, who leads us into the true Promised Land (CIC 2578). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 2578).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.
  • The Lord is a refuge and deliverer for all who call upon Him in trouble.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.

People in This Chapter

Joshua7 mentionsMoses6 mentions

Reflection for Today

Sacred Scripture presents Joshua Chapter 11 as a unique stage in salvation history, not merely as background to other books.

St. Irenaeus and other Fathers of the Church meditated on texts like this one, seeing in them instruction for the spiritual life. Catholic tradition sees Joshua as a type of Jesus, who leads us into the true Promised Land (CIC 2578). The passage calls believers to grasp that God fulfills His promises.

Let Joshua Chapter 11 deepen your love for the Eucharist, where the Word made flesh continues to feed His people. The same Christ who speaks in Scripture offers Himself sacramentally on the altar.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Joshua Chapter 11 about?

Joshua 11 contains 23 verses. It opens with "And when Jabin king of Asor had heard these things, he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Semeron, and to…" and closes with "So Joshua took all the land, as the Lord spoke to Moses, and delivered it in possession to the children of Israel,…". The book as a whole is historical narrative.

What is a key verse in Joshua 11?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And when Jabin king of Asor had heard these things, he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Semeron, and to the king of Achsaph:" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Joshua Chapter 11?

This chapter mentions Joshua, Moses.

Who wrote Joshua and when?

Attributed by tradition to Joshua himself with additions by later inspired writers. Events of the 13th century BC; written form developed between the 10th and 6th centuries BC.

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