“And 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.”
My Notes
What Does Joshua 11:8 Mean?
The fulfillment of God's promise from verse 6 is recorded in military detail: "the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel." The coalition was routed comprehensively — chased north to great Zidon, west to Misrephothmaim, and east to the valley of Mizpeh. The pursuit went in every direction because the defeat was total.
The phrase "until they left them none remaining" describes complete military victory — not a partial defeat or a strategic withdrawal, but total elimination of the opposing force. This matches God's promise to deliver them "all slain." What God said would happen in verse 6, verse 8 confirms happened.
The geographical sweep of the pursuit — from the waters of Merom north and west to the Mediterranean coast, east toward the Jordan Valley — shows that Israel wasn't just defending territory. They were pursuing the enemy across the entire northern landscape. The confidence to pursue this aggressively came from one source: God's explicit promise delivered the day before.
Reflection Questions
- 1.When has God given you a specific promise that turned fear into confidence?
- 2.What's the difference between fighting defensively and pursuing aggressively in your spiritual life?
- 3.How does the one-day gap between promise and fulfillment encourage you about God's timing?
- 4.Where in your life might you be cowering when God has already told you the victory is secured?
Devotional
Yesterday, God said "tomorrow." Today, it happened. The coalition that assembled the largest military force Israel had ever faced was delivered, routed, and pursued to the edges of the map. None remaining.
The distance between God's promise and its fulfillment was one day. That might be the most encouraging detail in this passage. When God speaks with specificity — "tomorrow about this time" — the fulfillment matches the promise exactly. Not approximately, not eventually — the next day.
The pursuit in every direction reveals what happens when people believe God's word and act on it. Israel didn't win a defensive battle and retreat to count casualties. They chased the enemy north, west, and east. They pursued aggressively because they knew — God told them yesterday — that the victory was guaranteed. There's a confidence that comes from hearing God's specific promise that turns defensive people into pursuers.
Are you in a defensive posture spiritually, just trying to survive? Or has God given you a specific enough promise that you can pursue? The difference between Israel cowering before chariots and Israel chasing enemies to the coast was one word from God. One specific, time-stamped, personalized promise. That's all it takes.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
And the Lord delivered them into the hand of Israel,.... The whole host, who either were killed or wounded, or put to…
One portion of the defeated host fled north-westward toward Zidon; the other northeastward up the Ard el Huleh. Zidon,…
Great Zidon - If this were the same with the Sidon of the ancients, it was illustrious long before the Trojan war; and…
We are here entering upon the story of another campaign that Joshua made, and it was a glorious one, no less illustrious…
and chased them The rout was complete, and the fugitives seem to have divided into three parts
(a) unto great Zidon…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture