This verse underscores that only the Gibeonites made peace, emphasizing faith in God’s sovereignty and the importance of seeking His favor.
“There was not a city which made peace with the sons of Israel except the Hivites living in Gibeon; they took them all in battle” (v.19). This verse describes the aftermath of Israel’s sweeping victories under Joshua’s leadership. According to biblical tradition, Joshua led the Israelites into Canaan following the death of Moses around 1406 BC. He was commissioned to conquer the land promised to Abraham centuries before. The phrase indicates that all the cities in that region, except for the Hivites living in Gibeon, refused to make peace with Israel and instead engaged in warfare. The Hivites of Gibeon found an alternative path to destruction by forging a treaty with Israel (Joshua 9:15), thus sparing their city from the full force of battle.
The mention of Gibeon, which was located several miles northwest of Jerusalem, highlights a strategic city in the central part of Canaan. By specifying this exception, Scripture reveals the scope of the conquest and the gravity of the cities’ collective decisions to halt or hinder Israel’s divinely led campaign. The Hivite people themselves were a smaller faction of the broader Canaanite population, with an identity that had existed for generations before the Israelite conquest. Their treaty with Israel stands out as a unique example of diplomacy during a period largely defined by warfare. This corresponds with the broader biblical theme that while God’s judgment on the wickedness in Canaan was firm, there were still individuals and cities, like Gibeon, willing to align themselves with the God of Israel (e.g. Rahab in Joshua 2:9-14).
Through the events described in “They took them all in battle” (v.19), we see a foreshadowing of how God’s people, when following His direction, could overcome formidable challenges. Just as Jesus later overcame the forces of sin and death for humanity (John 16:33), Israel’s triumph under Joshua recalls the faithful obedience that overcomes opposition. Their conquest of most Canaanite cities reminds readers that dependence on God—rather than numerical strength or earthly advantage—ultimately leads to victory.
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Joshua 11:19 meaning
“There was not a city which made peace with the sons of Israel except the Hivites living in Gibeon; they took them all in battle” (v.19). This verse describes the aftermath of Israel’s sweeping victories under Joshua’s leadership. According to biblical tradition, Joshua led the Israelites into Canaan following the death of Moses around 1406 BC. He was commissioned to conquer the land promised to Abraham centuries before. The phrase indicates that all the cities in that region, except for the Hivites living in Gibeon, refused to make peace with Israel and instead engaged in warfare. The Hivites of Gibeon found an alternative path to destruction by forging a treaty with Israel (Joshua 9:15), thus sparing their city from the full force of battle.
The mention of Gibeon, which was located several miles northwest of Jerusalem, highlights a strategic city in the central part of Canaan. By specifying this exception, Scripture reveals the scope of the conquest and the gravity of the cities’ collective decisions to halt or hinder Israel’s divinely led campaign. The Hivite people themselves were a smaller faction of the broader Canaanite population, with an identity that had existed for generations before the Israelite conquest. Their treaty with Israel stands out as a unique example of diplomacy during a period largely defined by warfare. This corresponds with the broader biblical theme that while God’s judgment on the wickedness in Canaan was firm, there were still individuals and cities, like Gibeon, willing to align themselves with the God of Israel (e.g. Rahab in Joshua 2:9-14).
Through the events described in “They took them all in battle” (v.19), we see a foreshadowing of how God’s people, when following His direction, could overcome formidable challenges. Just as Jesus later overcame the forces of sin and death for humanity (John 16:33), Israel’s triumph under Joshua recalls the faithful obedience that overcomes opposition. Their conquest of most Canaanite cities reminds readers that dependence on God—rather than numerical strength or earthly advantage—ultimately leads to victory.