Joshua 11:4

Translations

Modern

So these kings came out with all their armies, a multitude as numerous as the sand on the seashore, along with a great number of horses and chariots.

Traditional

And 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.

Literal

And they went out, they and all their armies with them, a people as numerous as the sand that is on the shore of the sea in multitude, and a horse and a chariot—very many.

Latin

Egressique sunt omnes cum turmis suis, populus multus nimis sicut arena quæ est in littore maris, equi quoque et currus immensæ multitudinis.

Original

Hebrew

English

So these kings came out with all their armies, a multitude as numerous as the sand on the seashore, along with a great number of horses and chariots.

Notes

Joshua 11:4

In the ancient Near East during this period, horses only pulled chariots. Soldiers riding horses (cavalry) and men shooting arrows (archers) who rode horses appeared centuries later.
Israel probably encountered chariots for the first time in this battle against the northern coalition. Here, the land was flatter than in southern Canaan. Chariots, as the heavy weapons of the battlefield, easily overpowered foot soldiers. Blades were often attached to the axles, and the soldiers drove the chariots at opposing foot soldiers (infantry) to run over them.

Joshua 11:1–16

The detailed accounts of Joshua’s campaign in southern Canaan show that the Israelites needed God's help to succeed (chapters 6–10). The same was true for the northern campaign (chapter 11). So those details were not needed here.

Joshua 7:1–12:24

This second major section of the book records Joshua's southern and northern campaigns against two coalitions of kings from Canaan. Joshua's victories allowed Israel to settle the hill country from Galilee in the north to the Negev in the south.

Theme notes and profiles

Joshua

Events

War with Canaanites

Related verses

Judges 7:12
Now the Midianites, Amalekites, and all the other people of the east had settled in the valley like a swarm of locusts, and their camels were as countless as the sand on the seashore.
1 Samuel 13:5
Now the Philistines assembled to fight against Israel with three thousand chariots, six thousand horsemen, and troops as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Michmash, east of Beth-aven.
Genesis 22:17
I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies.
Genesis 32:12
But You have said, ‘I will surely make you prosper, and I will make your offspring like the sand of the sea, too numerous to count.’”
1 Kings 4:20
The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore, and they were eating and drinking and rejoicing.
2 Samuel 17:11
Instead, I advise that all Israel from Dan to Beersheba—a multitude like the sand on the seashore—be gathered to you, and that you yourself lead them into battle.

Glossary

Amorites Conquest and Allotment of the Land Gilgal Hazor Jabin Joshua (Person) Joshua, Book of Judges, Book of Mizpeh Mount Hermon Tribe of Dan

Topics

Armies: Ancient, often Numerous Armies: March in Ranks: Confederated Canaanites: Defeated by the Israelites Chariot for War Confederacies of Kings Jabin: Names of Two Kings of Hazor Protection: Not to be Found in Hosts

Joshua 11:4

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Events?

Related verses?

Glossary?

Topics?

Translations

Original

Notes

Events

Related verses

Glossary

Topics