Joshua 11:20

18 Joshua made war a long time with all those kings.

19 There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, save the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon: all other they took in battle.

For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses.

21 And at that time came Joshua, and cut off the Anakims from the mountains, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the mountains of Judah, and from all the mountains of Israel: Joshua destroyed them utterly with their cities.

22 There was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of Israel: only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, there remained.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts to engage Israel in battle, so that they would be set apart for destruction and would receive no mercy, being annihilated as the LORD had commanded Moses.
KJV
For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses.
WEB
For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, to come against Israel in battle, that he might utterly destroy them, that they might have no favor, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses.
ASV
For it was of Jehovah to harden their hearts, to come against Israel in battle, that he might utterly destroy them, that they might have no favor, but that he might destroy them, as Jehovah commanded Moses.
DARBY
For it was of Jehovah that their heart was hardened, to meet Israel in battle, that they might be utterly destroyed, and that there might be no favour shewn to them, but that they might be destroyed, as Jehovah had commanded Moses.
BLB
For it was of YHWH to strengthen their hearts to engage in battle with Israel, in order that they would be devoted to destruction [and that] they would not receive favor, but that he might destroy them as YHWH had commanded Moses.
ÅB
for Herren laget det så at de forherdet sitt hjerte og dro i krig mot Israel, for at de skulle bli slått med bann og ingen nåde få, men ødelegges, slik som Herren hadde befalt Moses.
OTB
For det var Herrens gjerning å forherde deres hjerter til å føre krig mot Israel, slik at Han kunne ødelegge dem fullstendig, utrydde dem uten nåde, som Herren hadde befalt Moses.
B1930
for Herren laget det så at de forherdet sitt hjerte og drog i krig mot Israel, forat de skulde bli slått med bann og ingen nåde få, men ødelegges, således som Herren hadde befalt Moses.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Romans 9:18

    Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

    Read in context
  • Deuteronomy 20:16–17

    But of the cities of these people, which the LORD thy God doth give thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth:

    Read in context
  • Exodus 4:21

    And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go.

    Read in context
  • Deuteronomy 7:16

    And thou shalt consume all the people which the LORD thy God shall deliver thee; thine eye shall have no pity upon them: neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that will be a snare unto thee.

    Read in context
  • Deuteronomy 2:30

    But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him: for the LORD thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into thy hand, as appeareth this day.

    Read in context
  • Exodus 9:16

    And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.

    Read in context
  • Joshua 11:12–15

    And all the cities of those kings, and all the kings of them, did Joshua take, and smote them with the edge of the sword, and he utterly destroyed them, as Moses the servant of the LORD commanded.

    Read in context
  • Judges 14:4

    But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the LORD, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel.

    Read in context