This verse highlights how the display of God’s power in drying up the Jordan drained all courage from Israel’s foes, preparing the land for His people’s arrival.
“Now it came about when all the kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan to the west and all the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea heard how the LORD had dried up the waters of the Jordan before the sons of Israel until they had crossed, their hearts melted, and there was no spirit in them any longer, because of the sons of Israel.” (Joshua 5:1)
This verse vividly describes the immediate consequences of the LORD’s miraculous intervention on behalf of His people. The text states that the Amorite and Canaanite kings heard “how the LORD had dried up the waters of the Jordan” (v.1), recalling a dramatic moment where God once again divided waters for Israel’s benefit, just as He had parted the Red Sea in the days of Moses. Here, Joshua, who assumed leadership over Israel around 1406 BC after Moses’ death, guides the second generation of Israelites into the Promised Land. In response to this display of divine power, the kings’ “hearts melted”—a Hebrew expression meaning they lost courage and the will to fight.
By referencing “the kings of the Amorites” and “the kings of the Canaanites,” the verse emphasizes how thoroughly word of God’s might spread among Israel’s adversaries. The Amorites occupied significant territory on the west side of the Jordan, while the Canaanites lived nearer the Mediterranean coastlines. These ruling powers likely represented major military forces in the region. However, once they realized that God was aiding Israel, “there was no spirit in them any longer” (v.1). In the ancient Near East, losing heart was tantamount to surrendering any real hope of victory, affirming how the LORD’s miracles directly impacted the conquest soon to follow.
The reference to “the sons of Israel” underscores the covenant faithfulness of God, who brought the nation to the cusp of possessing the land He had promised to Abraham centuries beforehand. Joshua, serving as God’s appointed leader in this pivotal era, stands in a long line of chosen servants—he follows Moses not only chronologically but also in carrying forward God’s promise. The miracle of the Jordan and the fear it instilled among enemy kings testify to the LORD’s sovereign power and set the stage for Israel’s upcoming campaigns in Canaan.
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Joshua 5:1 meaning
“Now it came about when all the kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan to the west and all the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea heard how the LORD had dried up the waters of the Jordan before the sons of Israel until they had crossed, their hearts melted, and there was no spirit in them any longer, because of the sons of Israel.” (Joshua 5:1)
This verse vividly describes the immediate consequences of the LORD’s miraculous intervention on behalf of His people. The text states that the Amorite and Canaanite kings heard “how the LORD had dried up the waters of the Jordan” (v.1), recalling a dramatic moment where God once again divided waters for Israel’s benefit, just as He had parted the Red Sea in the days of Moses. Here, Joshua, who assumed leadership over Israel around 1406 BC after Moses’ death, guides the second generation of Israelites into the Promised Land. In response to this display of divine power, the kings’ “hearts melted”—a Hebrew expression meaning they lost courage and the will to fight.
By referencing “the kings of the Amorites” and “the kings of the Canaanites,” the verse emphasizes how thoroughly word of God’s might spread among Israel’s adversaries. The Amorites occupied significant territory on the west side of the Jordan, while the Canaanites lived nearer the Mediterranean coastlines. These ruling powers likely represented major military forces in the region. However, once they realized that God was aiding Israel, “there was no spirit in them any longer” (v.1). In the ancient Near East, losing heart was tantamount to surrendering any real hope of victory, affirming how the LORD’s miracles directly impacted the conquest soon to follow.
The reference to “the sons of Israel” underscores the covenant faithfulness of God, who brought the nation to the cusp of possessing the land He had promised to Abraham centuries beforehand. Joshua, serving as God’s appointed leader in this pivotal era, stands in a long line of chosen servants—he follows Moses not only chronologically but also in carrying forward God’s promise. The miracle of the Jordan and the fear it instilled among enemy kings testify to the LORD’s sovereign power and set the stage for Israel’s upcoming campaigns in Canaan.