The Northern Conquest

Joshua 11

A coalition of northern kings led by the king of Asor gathers a great army with horses and chariots at the waters of Maron, but Joshua defeats them suddenly, hamstrings their horses, and burns their chariots as the Lord commanded. Joshua takes Asor and the surrounding kingdoms, and the chapter closes with a summary of his long campaign and the land's rest from war.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonNOW when Jabis, king of Azor, heard this, he sent to Jobab king of Maram, and to the king of Symoon, and to the king of Aziph,

BrentonAnd when Jabis the king of Asor heard, he sent to Jobab king of Maron, and to the king of Symoön, and to the king of Aziph,

GreekὩς δὲ ἤκουσεν Ἰαβὶς βασιλεὺς Ἀσὼρ, ἀπέστειλε πρὸς Ἰωβὰβ βασιλέα Μαρῶν, καὶ πρὸς βασιλέα Συμοὼν, καὶ πρὸς βασιλέα Ἀζὶφ,

KJVAnd it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor had heard those things, that he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph,

JPSAnd it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor heard thereof, that he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph,

Thomsonand to the kings who bordered on great Sidon, to the hilly country, and to Araba over against Keneroth, and to the plain, and to Phenaeddor,

Brentonand to the kings who were by the great Sidon, to the hill country and to Araba opposite Keneroth, and to the plain, and to Phenaeddor,

Greekκαὶ πρὸς βασιλεῖς τοὺς κατὰ Σιδῶνα τὴν μεγάλην, εἰς τὴν ὀρεινὴν καὶ εἰς Ἄραβα ἀπέναντι Κενερὼθ, καὶ εἰς τὸ πεδίον, καὶ εἰς Φεναεδδὼρ,

KJV—

JPSand to the kings that were on the north, in the hill-country and in the Arabah south of Chinneroth, and in the Lowland, and in the regions of Dor on the west,

Thomsonand to the Chananites, on the eastern shore of the sea, and to the Amorites, on the seashore, and to the Chettites, and the Pherezites, and the Jebusites, on the mountain, and to the Evites, and to those at the foot of Aermon, to the land of Massuma;

Brentonand to the Chananites on the coast eastward, and to the Amorites on the coast, and the Chettites, and the Pherezites, and the Jebusites in the mountain, and the Evites, and those dwelling under mount Aermon in the land Massyma.

Greekκαὶ εἰς τοὺς παραλίους Χαναναίους ἀπὸ ἀνατολῶν, καὶ εἰς τοὺς παραλίους Ἀμοῤῥαίους, καὶ τοὺς Χετταίους, καὶ Φερεζαίους, καὶ Ἰεβουσαίους τοὺς ἐν τῷ ὄρει, καὶ τοὺς Εὐαίους, καὶ τοὺς ὑπὸ τὴν Ἀερμὼν εἰς γῆν Μασσύμα.

KJV—

JPS—

Thomsonand they, and their kings with them, came out like the sand of the sea for multitude, with horses and chariots in great abundance.

BrentonAnd they and their kings with them went forth, as the sand of the sea in multitude, and horses, and very many chariots.

GreekΚαὶ ἐξῆλθον αὐτοὶ καὶ οἱ βασιλεῖς αὐτῶν μετʼ αὐτῶν, ὥσπερ ἡ ἄμμος τῆς θαλάσσης τῷ πλήθει, καὶ ἵπποι καὶ ἅρματα πολλὰ σφόδρα.

KJVAnd they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people, even as the sand that is upon the sea shore in multitude, with horses and chariots very many.

JPSAnd they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people, even as the sand that is upon the sea-shore in multitude, with horses and chariots very many.

ThomsonAnd when all these kings had assembled, and formed a junction, and encamped at the water of Maron to fight against Israel;

BrentonAnd all the kings assembled in person, and came to the same place, and encamped at the waters of Maron to war with Israel.

GreekΚαὶ συνῆλθον πάντες οἱ βασιλεῖς αὐτοὶ καὶ παρεγένοντο ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ, καὶ παρενέβαλον ἐπὶ τοῦ ὕδατος Μαρὼν πολεμῆσαι τὸν Ἰσραήλ.

KJVAnd when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel.

JPSAnd all these kings met together, and they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight with Israel.

Thomsonthe Lord said to Joshua, Be not afraid of them, for to-morrow, about this time, I will deliver them up vanquished before Israel. Thou shalt hamstring their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.

BrentonAnd the Lord said to Joshua, Be not afraid of them, for to-morrow at this time I will put them to flight before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Κύριος πρὸς Ἰησοῦν, μὴ φοβηθῇς ἀπὸ προσώπου αὐτῶν, ὅτι αὔριον ταύτην τὴν ὥραν ἐγὼ παραδίδωμι τετροπωμένους αὐτοὺς ἐναντίον τοῦ Ἰσραήλ· τοὺς ἵππους αὐτῶν νευροκοπήσεις, καὶ τὰ ἅρματα αὐτῶν κατακαύσεις ἐν πυρί.

KJVAnd the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.

JPSAnd the LORD said unto Joshua: ‘Be not afraid because of them; for to-morrow at this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel; thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.’

ThomsonSo Joshua and all the warriors came upon them suddenly, at the water of Maron, and fell upon them in the hilly country:

BrentonAnd Joshua and all the men of war came upon them at the water of Maron suddenly; and they attacked them in the hill country.

GreekΚαὶ ἦλθεν Ἰησοῦς καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ὁ πολεμιστὴς ἐπʼ αὐτοὺς ἐπὶ τὸ ὕδωρ Μαρὼν ἐξάπινα· καὶ ἐπέπεσαν ἐπʼ αὐτοὺς ἐν τῇ ὀρεινῇ.

KJVSo Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom suddenly; and they fell upon them.

JPSSo Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom suddenly, and fell upon them.

Thomsonand the Lord delivered them into the hands of Israel, and they pursued them with slaughter, to great Sidon, and to Maseron, and to the plains of Massoch, eastward, and hewed them down till there was none of them left alive.

BrentonAnd the Lord delivered them into the power of Israel; and they smote them and pursued them to great Sidon, and to Maseron, and to the plains of Massoch eastward; and they destroyed them till there was not one of them left that survived.

GreekΚαὶ παρέδωκεν αὐτοὺς Κύριος ὑποχειρίους Ἰσραήλ· καὶ κόπτοντες αὐτοὺς κατεδίωκον ἕως Σιδῶνος τῆς μεγάλης, καὶ ἕως Μασερὼν, καὶ ἕως τῶν πεδίων Μασσὼχ κατʼ ἀνατολάς· καὶ κατέκοψαν αὐτοὺς ἕως τοῦ μὴ καταλειφθῆναι αὐτῶν διασεσωσμένον.

KJVAnd the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon, and unto Misrephothmaim, and unto the valley of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left them none remaining.

JPSAnd the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, and they smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon, and unto Misrephoth-maim, and unto the valley of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left them none remaining.

ThomsonAnd Joshua did to them as the Lord commanded him. Their horses he hamstringed; and their chariots he burned with fire.

BrentonAnd Joshua did to them, as the Lord commanded him: he houghed their horses, and burned their chariots with fire.

GreekΚαὶ ἐποίησεν αὐτοῖς Ἰησοῦς, ὃν τρόπον ἐνετείλατο αὐτῷ Κύριος· τοὺς ἵππους αὐτῶν ἐνευροκόπησε, καὶ τὰ ἅρματα αὐτῶν ἐνέπρησε πυρί.

KJVAnd Joshua did unto them as the LORD bade him: he houghed their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire.

JPSAnd Joshua did unto them as the LORD bade him; he houghed their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire.

ThomsonAnd at that time Joshua turned back, and took Asor, and the king thereof. (Now Asor was formerly the head of all these kingdoms.)

BrentonAnd Joshua returned at that time, and took Asor and her king; now Asor in former time was the chief of these kingdoms.

GreekΚαὶ ἐπεστράφη Ἰησοῦς ἐν τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, καὶ κατελάβετο Ἀσὼρ, καὶ τὸν βασιλέα αὐτῆς· ἦν δὲ Ἀσὼρ τοπρότερον ἄρχουσα πασῶν τῶν βασιλειῶν τούτων.

KJVAnd Joshua at that time turned back, and took Hazor, and smote the king thereof with the sword: for Hazor beforetime was the head of all those kingdoms.

JPSAnd Joshua turned back at that time, and took Hazor, and smote the king thereof with the sword: for Hazor beforetime was the head of all those kingdoms.

ThomsonAnd they slew every living soul in it, with the sword, and utterly destroyed all, so that there was not one left in it alive. And they burned Asor with fire.

BrentonAnd they slew with the sword all that breathed in it, and utterly destroyed them all, and there was no living thing left in it; and they burnt Asor with fire.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπέκτειναν πᾶν ἐμπνέον ἐν αὐτῇ ἐν ξίφει, καὶ ἐξωλόθρευσαν πάντας, καὶ οὐ κατελείφθη ἐν αὐτῇ ἐμπνέον· καὶ τὴν Ἀσὼρ ἐνέπρησαν ἐν πυρί.

KJVAnd they smote all the souls that were therein with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying them: there was not any left to breathe: and he burnt Hazor with fire.

JPSAnd they smote all the souls that were therein with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying them; there was none left that breathed; and he burnt Hazor with fire.

ThomsonThen Joshua took all the cities of those kingdoms, and the kings thereof, and smote them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed them, as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded.

BrentonAnd Joshua took all the cities of the kingdoms, and their kings, and slew them with the edge of the sword; and utterly slew them, as Moses the servant of the Lord commanded.

GreekΚαὶ πάσας τὰς πόλεις τῶν βασιλειῶν, καὶ τοὺς βασιλεῖς αὐτῶν ἔλαβεν Ἰησοῦς, καὶ ἀνεῖλεν αὐτοὺς ἐν στόματι ξίφους· καὶ ἐξωλόθρευσαν αὐτοὺς, ὃν τρόπον συνέταξε Μωυσῆς ὁ παῖς Κυρίου.

KJVAnd all the cities of those kings, and all the kings of them, did Joshua take, and smote them with the edge of the sword, and he utterly destroyed them, as Moses the servant of the LORD commanded.

JPSAnd all the cities of those kings, and all the kings of them, did Joshua take, and he smote them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed them; as Moses the servant of the LORD commanded.

Thomson(But Israel did not burn any of the cities which were built on lofty situations, except Asor; this alone Israel burned.)

BrentonBut all the walled cities Israel burnt not; but Israel burnt Asor only.

GreekἈλλὰ πάσας τὰς πόλεις τὰς κεχωματισμένας οὐκ ἐνέπρησεν Ἰσραήλ· πλὴν Ἀσὼρ μόνην ἐνέπρησεν Ἰσραὴλ,

KJVBut as for the cities that stood still in their strength, Israel burned none of them, save Hazor only; that did Joshua burn.

JPSBut as for the cities that stood on their mounds, Israel burned none of them, save Hazor only—that did Joshua burn.

ThomsonAnd the Israelites took all the spoils thereof for themselves, and exterminated the inhabitants with the edge of the sword, until they destroyed them. They did not leave a breathing soul of them.

BrentonAnd the children of Israel took all its spoils to themselves; and they slew all the men with the edge of the sword, until he destroyed them; they left not one of them breathing.

Greekκαὶ πάντα τὰ σκῦλα αὐτῆς ἐπρονόμευσαν ἑαυτοῖς οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραήλ· αὐτοὺς δὲ πάντας ἐξωλόθρευσαν ἐν στόματι ξίφους, ἕως ἀπώλεσεν αὐτοὺς· οὐ κατέλιπον ἐξ αὐτῶν οὐδὲν ἐμπνέον.

KJVAnd all the spoil of these cities, and the cattle, the children of Israel took for a prey unto themselves; but every man they smote with the edge of the sword, until they had destroyed them, neither left they any to breathe.

JPSAnd all the spoil of these cities, and the cattle, the children of Israel took for a prey unto themselves; but every man they smote with the edge of the sword, until they had destroyed them, neither left they any that breathed.

ThomsonAs the Lord commanded his servant Moses, and as Moses gave it in charge to Joshua, so Joshua did. He left nothing undone of all that Moses commanded him.

BrentonAs the Lord commanded his servant Moses, even so Moses commanded Joshua; and so Joshua did, he transgressed no precept of all that Moses commanded him.

GreekὋν τρόπον συνέταξε Κύριος τῷ Μωυσῇ τῷ παιδὶ αὐτοῦ, καὶ Μωυσῆς ὡσαύτως ἐνετείλατο τῷ Ἰησοῖ· καὶ οὕτως ἐποίησεν Ἰησοῦς, οὐ παρέβη οὐδὲν ἀπὸ πάντων ὧν συνέταξεν αὐτῷ Μωυσῆς.

KJVAs the LORD commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses.

JPSAs the LORD commanded Moses His servant, so did Moses command Joshua; and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses.

ThomsonSo Joshua took all the hilly country, and all the land of Nageb, and all the land of Gosom, and the plain, and that to the west, and the mountain of Israel, and the lowlands adjoining the mountain,

BrentonAnd Joshua took all the hill country, and all the land of Nageb, and all the land of Gosom, and the plain country, and that toward the west, and the mountain of Israel and the low country by the mountain;

GreekΚαὶ ἔλαβεν Ἰησοῦς πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν τὴν ὀρεινὴν, καὶ πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν Ναγὲβ, καὶ πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν Γοσὸμ, καὶ τὴν πεδινὴν, καὶ τὴν πρὸς δυσμαῖς, καὶ τὸ ὄρος Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ τὰ ταπεινὰ

KJVSo Joshua took all that land, the hills, and all the south country, and all the land of Goshen, and the valley, and the plain, and the mountain of Israel, and the valley of the same;

JPSSo Joshua took all that land, the hill-country, and all the South, and all the land of Goshen, and the Lowland, and the Arabah, and the hill-country of Israel, and the Lowland of the same;

Thomsonfrom mount Chelcha, and that which stretcheth up to Seir, even to Balagad, and the plains of Lebanon, at the foot of mount Aermon. He took, and smote, and slew, all the kings thereof.

Brentonfrom the mountain of Chelcha, and that which goes up to Seir, and as far as Balagad, and the plains of Libanus, under mount Aermon; and he took all their kings, and destroyed, and slew them.

Greekτὰ πρὸς τῷ ὄρει ἀπὸ ὄρους Χελχὰ, καὶ ὃ προσαναβαίνει εἰς Σηεὶρ, καὶ ἕως Βαλαγὰδ, καὶ τὰ πεδία τοῦ Λιβάνου ὑπὸ τὸ ὄρος τὸ Ἀερμών· καὶ πάντας τοὺς βασιλεῖς αὐτῶν ἔλαβε, καὶ ἀνεῖλε, καὶ ἀπέκτεινε.

KJVEven from the mount Halak, that goeth up to Seir, even unto Baalgad in the valley of Lebanon under mount Hermon: and all their kings he took, and smote them, and slew them.

JPSfrom the bare mountain, that goeth up to Seir, even unto Baal-gad in the valley of Lebanon under mount Hermon; and all their kings he took, and smote them, and put them to death.

ThomsonJoshua indeed waged war against those kings for several years,

BrentonAnd for many days Joshua waged war with these kings.

GreekΚαὶ ἡμέρας πλείους ἐποίησεν Ἰησοῦς πρὸς τοὺς βασιλεῖς τούτους τὸν πόλεμον.

KJVJoshua made war a long time with all those kings.

JPSJoshua made war a long time with all those kings.

Thomsonso that there was not a city which Israel did not take. They took them all by battle.

BrentonAnd there was no city which Israel took not; they took all in war.

GreekΚαὶ οὐκ ἦν πόλις, ἣν οὐκ ἔλαβεν Ἰσραήλ· πάντα ἐλάβοσαν ἐν πολέμῳ.

KJVThere was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, save the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon: all other they took in battle.

JPSThere was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, save the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon; they took all in battle.

ThomsonFor the Lord permitted them to assume courage to come to battle with Israel, that they might be utterly destroyed, that no mercy might be shewn them; but that they might be utterly destroyed, as the Lord commanded Moses.

BrentonFor it was of the Lord to harden their hearts to go forth to war against Israel, that they might be utterly destroyed, that mercy should not be granted to them, but that they should be utterly destroyed, as the Lord said to Moses.

GreekὍτι διὰ Κυρίου ἐγένετο κατισχύσαι αὐτῶν τὴν καρδίαν συναντᾷν εἰς πόλεμον πρὸς Ἰσραὴλ, ἵνα ἐξολοθρευθῶσιν, ὅπως μὴ δοθῇ αὐτοῖς ἔλεος, ἀλλʼ ἵνα ἐξολοθρευθῶσιν, ὃν τρόπον εἶπε Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν.

KJVFor it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses.

JPSFor it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, to come against Israel in battle, that they might be utterly destroyed, that they might have no favour, but that they might be destroyed, as the LORD commanded Moses.

ThomsonAt that time also, Joshua went, and rooted out the Enakims from the hilly country, from Chebron, and from Dabir, and from Anaboth, and from the whole race of Israel, and from all the mountain of Juda. Them, with their cities, Joshua destroyed.

BrentonAnd Joshua came at that time, and utterly destroyed the Enakim out of the hill country, from Chebron and from Dabir, and from Anaboth, and from all the race of Israel, and from all the mountain of Juda with their cities; and Joshua utterly destroyed them.

GreekΚαὶ ἦλθεν Ἰησοῦς ἐν τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, καὶ ἐξωλόθρευσε τοὺς Ἐνακὶμ ἐκ τῆς ὀρεινῆς, ἐκ Χεβρὼν, καὶ ἐκ Δαβὶρ, καὶ ἐξ Ἀναβὼθ, καὶ ἐκ παντὸς Ἰούδα σὺν ταῖς πόλεσιν αὐτῶν· καὶ ἐξωλόθρευσεν αὐτοὺς Ἰησοῦς.

KJVAnd at that time came Joshua, and cut off the Anakims from the mountains, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the mountains of Judah, and from all the mountains of Israel: Joshua destroyed them utterly with their cities.

JPSAnd Joshua came at that time, and cut off the Anakim from the hill-country, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the hill-country of Judah, and from all the hill-country of Israel; Joshua utterly destroyed them with their cities.

ThomsonSo that, by means of the children of Israel, there was not one of the Enakims left, except some who were in Gaza, and in Geth, and in Aseldo.

BrentonThere was not any one left of the Enakim by the children of Israel, only there was left of them in Gaza, and in Gath, and in Aseldo.

GreekΟὐ κατελείφθη τῶν Ἐνακὶμ ἀπὸ τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ, ἀλλὰ πλὴν ἐν Γάζῃ, καὶ ἐν Γὲθ, καὶ ἐν Ἀσελδὼ κατελείφθη.

KJVThere was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of Israel: only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, there remained.

JPSThere was none of the Anakim left in the land of the children of Israel; only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, did some remain.

ThomsonAnd when Joshua had taken all the land as the Lord commanded Moses, he gave it for an inheritance to Israel, in parcels, according to their tribes; and the land rested from war.

BrentonAnd Joshua took all the land, as the Lord commanded Moses; and Joshua gave them for an inheritance to Israel by division according to their tribes; and the land ceased from war.

GreekΚαὶ ἔλαβεν Ἰησοῦς πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν, καθότι ἐνετείλατο Κύριος τῷ Μωυσῇ· καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτοὺς Ἰησοῦς ἐν κληρονομίᾳ Ἰσραὴλ ἐν μερισμῷ κατὰ φυλὰς αὐτῶν· καὶ ἡ γῆ κατέπαυσε πολεμουμένη.

KJVSo Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war.

JPSSo Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD spoke unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land had rest from war.