Introduction
The Kings of Hazor, Madon, Shimron, and Achshaph, with those of the mountains, plains, etc., and various chiefs of the Canaanites and Amorites, confederate against Israel, [Jos 11:1-3]. They pitch their tents at the waters of Merom, [Jos 11:4], [Jos 11:5]. The Lord encourages Joshua, [Jos 11:6]. He attacks and discomfits them, [Jos 11:7], [Jos 11:8]. Houghs all their horses, and burns all their chariots, [Jos 11:9]. Takes and burns several of their cities, [Jos 11:10-13]. The Israelites take the spoils, [Jos 11:14], [Jos 11:15]. An account of the country taken by Joshua, [Jos 11:16-18]. The Gibeonites only make peace with Israel, [Jos 11:19]. All the rest resist and are overcome, [Jos 11:20]. Joshua cuts off the Anakim, [Jos 11:21], [Jos 11:22]. The conquered lands are given to Israel, and the war is concluded, [Jos 11:23].
Verse 1
Jabin king of Hazor - It is probable that Jabin was the common name of all the kings of Hazor. That king, by whom the Israelites were kept in a state of slavery for twenty years, and who was defeated by Deborah and Barak, was called by this name; see [Jdg 4:2], [Jdg 4:3], [Jdg 4:23]. The name signifies wise or intelligent. The city of Hazor was situated above the Lake Semechon, in Upper Galilee, according to Josephus, Antiq. lib. v., c. 6. It was given to the tribe of Naphtali, [Jos 19:36], who it appears did not possess it long; for though it was burnt by Joshua, [Jos 11:11], it is likely that the Canaanites rebuilt it, and restored the ancient government, as we find a powerful king there about one hundred and thirty years after the death of Joshua, [Jdg 4:1]. It is the same that was taken by Tiglath-pileser, together with Kadesh, to which it is contiguous; see [2Kgs 15:29]. It is supposed to have given name to the Valley or Plain of Hazor or Nasor, situated between it and Kadesh, where Jonathan and Mattathias defeated the armies of Demetrius, and slew three thousand of their men, 1 Maccabees 11:63-74. It was in ancient times the metropolitan city of all that district, and a number of petty kings or chieftains were subject to its king, see [Jos 11:10]; and it is likely that it was those tributary kings who were summoned to attend the king of Hazor on this occasion; for Joshua having conquered the southern part of the promised land, the northern parts seeing themselves exposed made now a common interest, and, joining with Jabin, endeavored to put a stop to the progress of the Israelites. See Calmet
Jobab king of Madon - This royal city is nowhere else mentioned in Scripture except in [Jos 12:19]. The Vatican copy of the Septuagint reads Μαρων, Maron, which, if legitimate, Calmet thinks may mean Maronia or Merath in Phoenicia, to the north of Mount Libanus. The Hebrew text reads מרון Meron, [Jos 12:20], after Shimron, which is probably the same with מדון Madon, [Jos 11:19], the word having casually dropped out of the preceding place into the latter, and the ר resh and ד daleth being interchanged, which might have easily happened from the great similarity of the letters. Hence Calmet conjectures that it may be the same place with מרוז Meroz, [Jdg 5:23], the ז zain and final ן nun being interchanged, which they might easily, as they are so very similar.
King of Shimron - This city is supposed to be the same with Symira, in Coelosyria, joined to Maron or Marath, by Pliny and Pomponius Mela. It cannot be Samaria, as that had its name long after by Omri king of Israel. See [1Kgs 16:24].
King of Achshaph - Calmet supposes this to have been the city of Ecdippe, mentioned by Pliny, Ptolemy, Josephus, and Eusebius. The latter places it within ten miles of Ptolemais, on the road to Tyre. It fell to the tribe of Asher. See [Jos 19:26].
Verse 2
On the north of the mountains - Or the mountain, probably Hermon, or some mountain not far from the lake of Gennesareth.
And of the plains - That is, the valleys of the above mountains, which had the sea of Chinneroth or Gennesareth on the south.
Chinneroth - This city is supposed by St. Jerome and several others since his time, to be the same as was afterwards called Tiberias. From this city or village the sea of Chinneroth or Gennesareth probably had its name.
And in the borders of Dor - Calmet supposes this to mean the champaign country of the higher and lower Galilee, on to the Mediterranean Sea, and to the village or city of Dor, which was the farthermost city of Phoenicia. Dor was in the lot of the half tribe of Manasseh, and was situated on the Mediterranean Sea, three leagues from Caesarea, and seven from Ptolemais.
Verse 3
The Canaanite on the east, etc. - Those who dwelt on the borders of Jordan, south of the sea of Tiberias.
On the west - Those were the Phoenicians who dwelt on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, from Dor northwards, on the way to Mount Libanus. - Calmet.
The Hivite under Hermon - Mount Hermon was to the east of Libanus and the fountains of Jordan; it is the same with Syrion and Baal Hermon in Scripture.
The land of Mizpeh - There were several cities of this name: one in the tribe of Judah, ([Jos 15:38]); a second in the tribe of Benjamin, ([Jos 18:26]); a third beyond Jordan, in the tribe of Gad; and a fourth beyond Jordan, in the tribe of Manasseh, which is that mentioned in the text. See Wells's Geography. Calmet supposes this Mizpeh to be the place where Laban and Jacob made their covenant, and from which circumstance it took its name. See [Gen 31:48], [Gen 31:49].
Verse 4
Much people, even as the sand - This form of speech, by some called a hyperbole, conveys simply the idea of a vast or unusual number - a number of which no regular estimate could be easily formed. Josephus, who seldom finds difficulties in such cases, and makes no scruple of often speaking without book, tells us that the allied armies amounted to 300,000 foot 10,000 horse, and 20,000 chariots of war. Antiq. lib. v., c. 1. That chariots were frequently used in war, all the records of antiquity prove; but 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. Terrible things are spoken of these, and the havoc made by them when furiously driven among the ranks of infantry. Of what sort the cavalry was, we know not; but from the account here given we may see what great advantages these allies possessed over the Israelites, whose armies consisted of infantry only.
Verse 5
The waters of Merom - Where these waters were, interpreters are not agreed. Whether they were the waters of the Lake Semechon, or the waters of Megiddo, mentioned [Jdg 5:19], cannot be easily determined. The latter is the more probable opinion.
Verse 6
Be not afraid - of them - To meet such a formidable host so well equipped, in their own country, furnished with all that was necessary to supply a numerous army, required more than ordinary encouragement in Joshua's circumstances. This communication from God was highly necessary, in order to prevent the people from desponding on the eve of a conflict, in which their all was at stake.
Verse 7
By the waters of Merom suddenly - Joshua, being apprised of this grand confederation, lost no time, but marched to meet them; and before they could have supposed him at hand, fell suddenly upon them, and put them to the rout.
Verse 8
Great Zidon - If this were the same with the Sidon of the ancients, it was illustrious long before the Trojan war; and both it and its inhabitants are frequently mentioned by Homer as excelling in works of skill and utility, and abounding in wealth: - Ενθ' εσαν οἱ πεπλοι παμποικιλοι, εογα γυναικων Σιδονιων.
Iliad, lib. vi., ver. 289. "There lay the ventures of no vulgar art,
Sidonian maids embroidered every part."
Pope. Αργυρεον κρητηρα τετυγμενον· ἑξ δ' αρα μετρα Χανδανεν, αυταρ καλλει ενικα πασαν επ' αιαν Πολλον, επι Σιδονες πολυδαιδαλοι ευ ησκησαν.
Iliad, lib. xxiii., ver. 741. "A silver urn that full six measures held,
By none in weight or workmanship excell'd;
Sidonian artists taught the frame to shine,
Elaborate with artifice divine."
Pope. Εκ μεν Σιδωνος πολυχαλκου ευχομαι ειναι.
Odyss. xv. 424. "I am of Sidon, famous for her wealth."
The art of making glass is attributed by Pliny to this city: Sidon artifex vitri, Hist. Nat. l. v., c. 19.
Misrephoth-maim - Or, Misrephoth of the waters. What this place was is unknown, but Calmet conjectures it to be the same with Sarepta, a city of Phoenicia, contiguous to Sidon. The word signifies the burning of the waters, or inflammation; probably it was a place noted for its hot springs: this idea seems to have struck Luther, as he translates it, die warme wasser, the hot waters.
Verse 9
He houghed their horses - The Hebrew word עקר akar, which we render to hough or hamstring, signifies to wound, cut, or lop off. It is very likely that it means here, not only an act by which they were rendered useless, but by which they were destroyed; as God had purposed that his people should not possess any cattle of this kind, that a warlike and enterprising spirit might not be cultivated among them; and that, when obliged to defend themselves and their country, they might be led to depend upon God for protection and victory. On the same ground, God had forbidden the kings of Israel to multiply horses, [Deu 17:16] (note). See the note there containing the reasons on which this prohibition was founded.
Burnt their chariots - As these could have been of no use without the horses.
Verse 10
Took Hazor - See on [Jos 11:1] (note).
Verse 13
The cities that stood still in their strength - The word תלם tillam, which we translate their strength, and the margin, their heap, has been understood two ways.