Joshua 11:2 - and to the kings who were on the north, in the hill country, in the Arabah south of Chinneroth, in the lowland, and in the heights of Dor on the west,

Generated Verse: Joshua 11:2

What does "Joshua 11:2" mean?


Joshua 11:2 lists a collection of Canaanite kings who allied against Joshua and the Israelites. The verse specifies their geographic locations, highlighting the extent of the coalition and emphasizing the widespread resistance Joshua faced. Let's break down each location:

"to the kings who were on the north": This refers to kings in the northern regions of Canaan. It's a general indication of their overall direction relative to the Israelites' movements and encampment.

"in the hill country": This refers to the mountainous regions, likely the central highlands of Canaan. These areas were naturally fortified and provided a strategic advantage to the defenders.

"in the Arabah south of Chinneroth": The Arabah is the Jordan Rift Valley. Chinneroth (also known as Gennesaret) is the Sea of Galilee (or Sea of Kinneret). So this refers to kings in the Jordan Valley, south of the Sea of Galilee.

"in the lowland": This refers to the Shephelah, the foothills between the coastal plain and the central highlands. It was a more fertile and populated area.

"in the heights of Dor on the west": Dor was a coastal city located south of Mount Carmel on the Mediterranean Sea. This region would include the coastal plain and potentially the surrounding hills.

In essence, the verse emphasizes:

The breadth of the opposition: The coalition included kings from various geographic regions, showing that resistance was widespread.
Strategic locations: The mention of hill country, lowlands, and coastal regions highlights the diverse territories that needed to be conquered.
Geographic organization: The list suggests a degree of organization or at least awareness of the geographic layout of Canaan, crucial for military strategy.

Therefore, this verse is not just a simple list of kings; it's a geographic summary emphasizing the widespread nature and strategic positioning of the Canaanite resistance Joshua faced. It sets the stage for the subsequent account of the battle and Joshua's victory over these allied forces.

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