Joshua 11:5
New International Version
All these kings joined forces and made camp together at the Waters of Merom to fight against Israel.

New Living Translation
The kings joined forces and established their camp around the water near Merom to fight against Israel.

English Standard Version
And all these kings joined their forces and came and encamped together at the waters of Merom to fight against Israel.

Berean Standard Bible
All these kings joined forces and encamped at the waters of Merom to fight against Israel.

King James Bible
And when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel.

New King James Version
And when all these kings had met together, they came and camped together at the waters of Merom to fight against Israel.

New American Standard Bible
So all of these kings gathered together, and came and encamped together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel.

NASB 1995
So all of these kings having agreed to meet, came and encamped together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel.

NASB 1977
So all of these kings having agreed to meet, came and encamped together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel.

Legacy Standard Bible
So all of these kings agreed to meet, and they came and encamped together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel.

Amplified Bible
So all these kings met and they came and encamped together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel.

Christian Standard Bible
All these kings joined forces; they came and camped together at the Waters of Merom to attack Israel.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
All these kings joined forces; they came together and camped at the waters of Merom to attack Israel.

American Standard Version
And all these kings met together; and they came and encamped together at the waters of Merom, to fight with Israel.

English Revised Version
And all these kings met together; and they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight with Israel.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
All these kings camped together by the Springs of Merom in order to fight Israel.

Good News Translation
All of these kings joined forces and came together and set up camp at Merom Brook to fight against Israel.

International Standard Version
After all these kings had gathered together, they went out and camped together at the waters of Merom to fight Israel.

Majority Standard Bible
All these kings joined forces and encamped at the waters of Merom to fight against Israel.

NET Bible
All these kings gathered and joined forces at the Waters of Merom to fight Israel.

New Heart English Bible
All these kings met together; and they came and camped together at the waters of Merom, to fight with Israel.

Webster's Bible Translation
And when all these kings were met together, they came and encamped together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel.

World English Bible
All these kings met together; and they came and encamped together at the waters of Merom, to fight with Israel.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and all these kings are met together, and they come and encamp together at the waters of Merom, to fight with Israel.

Young's Literal Translation
and all these kings are met together, and they come and encamp together at the waters of Merom, to fight with Israel.

Smith's Literal Translation
And all these kings will meet by appointment, and they will come and will encamp together at the water of Merom, to war with Israel.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And all these kings assembled together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And all these kings assembled at the waters of Merom, so that they might fight against Israel.

New American Bible
All these kings made a pact and together they marched to the waters of Merom, where they encamped to fight against Israel.

New Revised Standard Version
All these kings joined their forces, and came and camped together at the waters of Merom, to fight with Israel.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when all these kings were met together, they came and encamped together at the waters of Meron, and prepared to fight against Israel.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And all these Kings assembled and they encamped as one by the waters of Merun, and they were prepared to make war with Israel
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And all these kings met together, and they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight with Israel.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And all the kings assembled in person, and came to the same place, and encamped at the waters of Maron to war with Israel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Conquest of the Northern Cities
4So 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. 5All these kings joined forces and encamped at the waters of Merom to fight against Israel. 6Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, for by this time tomorrow I will deliver all of them slain before Israel. You are to hamstring their horses and burn up their chariots.”…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 20:1-4
When you go out to war against your enemies and see horses, chariots, and an army larger than yours, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you. / When you are about to go into battle, the priest is to come forward and address the army, / saying to them, “Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle with your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be alarmed or terrified because of them. ...

Judges 4:13-16
he summoned all nine hundred of his iron chariots and all the men with him, from Harosheth-hagoyim to the River Kishon. / Then Deborah said to Barak, “Arise, for this is the day that the LORD has delivered Sisera into your hand. Has not the LORD gone before you?” So Barak came down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men following him. / And in front of him the LORD routed with the sword Sisera, all his charioteers, and all his army. Sisera abandoned his chariot and fled on foot. ...

1 Samuel 17:45-47
But David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. / This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand. This day I will strike you down, cut off your head, and give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the creatures of the earth. Then the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. / And all those assembled here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.”

2 Chronicles 20:15-17
And he said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army, for the battle does not belong to you, but to God. / Tomorrow you are to march down against them. You will see them coming up the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley facing the Wilderness of Jeruel. / You need not fight this battle. Take up your positions, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out and face them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you.’”

Psalm 20:7
Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

Psalm 33:16-18
No king is saved by his vast army; no warrior is delivered by his great strength. / A horse is a vain hope for salvation; even its great strength cannot save. / Surely the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His loving devotion

Isaiah 31:1-3
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in their abundance of chariots and in their multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD. / Yet He too is wise and brings disaster; He does not call back His words. He will rise up against the house of the wicked and against the allies of evildoers. / But the Egyptians are men, not God; their horses are flesh, not spirit. When the LORD stretches out His hand, the helper will stumble, and the one he helps will fall; both will perish together.

Isaiah 41:10-13
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. / Behold, all who rage against you will be ashamed and disgraced; those who contend with you will be reduced to nothing and will perish. / You will seek them but will not find them. Those who wage war against you will come to nothing. ...

Jeremiah 1:19
They will fight against you but will never overcome you, since I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD.

Zechariah 4:6
So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts.

Matthew 28:18-20
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. / Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, / and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Romans 8:31
What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

2 Corinthians 10:3-4
For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. / The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. / Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. / For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel.

all these

Psalm 3:1
A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.

Psalm 118:10-12
All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them…

Isaiah 8:9
Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces.

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Agreed Camp Encamp Encamped Israel Joined Kings Meet Merom Met Pitched Position Together Waters
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Agreed Camp Encamp Encamped Israel Joined Kings Meet Merom Met Pitched Position Together Waters
Joshua 11
1. Diverse kings overcome at the waters of Merom
10. Hazor is taken and burnt
16. All the country taken by Joshua
21. The Anakims cut off
23. The land rests from war














So all these kings
The phrase "all these kings" refers to the coalition of Canaanite kings who united against the Israelites. In the Hebrew text, the word for "kings" is "מְלָכִים" (melachim), which denotes rulers or leaders of city-states. This coalition represents a significant threat to Israel, as it includes multiple city-states banding together. Historically, this reflects the common practice in the ancient Near East where smaller kingdoms would form alliances to combat a common enemy. This unity among the Canaanite kings underscores the formidable opposition that Israel faced, yet it also sets the stage for God’s power to be demonstrated through Israel’s victory.

joined forces
The Hebrew root for "joined forces" is "יָעַד" (ya'ad), which means to appoint or assemble. This indicates a deliberate and strategic alliance, emphasizing the seriousness of the threat against Israel. The Canaanite kings were not acting independently but had come together with a common purpose. This reflects the desperation and fear among the Canaanites as they faced the advancing Israelites, who were known for their previous victories under God’s guidance.

and encamped
The term "encamped" comes from the Hebrew "חָנָה" (chanah), meaning to pitch tents or settle temporarily. This suggests a military encampment, a common practice in ancient warfare where armies would set up temporary bases near the battlefield. The encampment at the waters of Merom indicates a strategic choice, likely for access to water and resources, and to position themselves advantageously against Israel.

at the waters of Merom
The "waters of Merom" refers to a location in northern Canaan, identified with the modern-day Hula Valley. This area was known for its marshy terrain and abundant water supply, making it a suitable location for a large army to gather. Archaeologically, this region has been studied for its strategic importance in ancient military campaigns. The choice of this location by the Canaanite kings highlights their intent to leverage the natural landscape in their defense against Israel.

to fight against Israel
The phrase "to fight against Israel" underscores the primary objective of the Canaanite coalition. The Hebrew word for "fight" is "לָחַם" (lacham), which conveys the idea of engaging in battle or warfare. This confrontation was not merely a defensive stance but an active attempt to thwart Israel’s divinely ordained conquest of the land. From a scriptural perspective, this battle is part of the larger narrative of God’s promise to give the land of Canaan to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The opposition of the Canaanite kings serves to highlight the fulfillment of God’s promises through Israel’s eventual victory, demonstrating His sovereignty and faithfulness.

(5) The waters of Merom.--The most northerly of the three lakes on the course of the Jordan.

Verse 5. - The waters of Merom. Robinson and the later travellers generally identify this with the Samochonitis (Joseph, Ant. 5:01; Bell. Jud. 3.9.7; 4.1.1), now Huleh. Keil and Delitzseh deny this, but it may be regarded as established, on the authority of Ritter, Vandevelde, Tristram, in short of all who have visited Palestine during the last thirty years. But its name, "the waters of height," would seem to answer to this, the highest of the inland lakes of Palestine. The Jordan runs through it, and it is also the reservoir for numerous other streams. "In the centre of this plain, half morass, half tarn, lies the uppermost lake of the Jordan" - the little lake Phiala excepted - "about seven miles long, and at its greatest width six miles broad, the mountains slightly compressing it at either extremity, surrounded by an almost impenetrable jungle of reeds, abounding in wild fowl, the sloping hills near it scoured by herds of gazelles" (Stanley, 'Sinai and Palestine,' p. 382).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
All
כֹּ֖ל (kōl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

these
הָאֵ֑לֶּה (hā·’êl·leh)
Article | Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

kings
הַמְּלָכִ֣ים (ham·mə·lā·ḵîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4428: A king

joined forces
וַיִּוָּ֣עֲד֔וּ (way·yiw·wā·‘ă·ḏū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3259: To fix upon, to meet, to summon, to direct, to engage

and encamped
וַיַּחֲנ֤וּ (way·ya·ḥă·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2583: To incline, to decline, to pitch a, tent, gen, to encamp

at
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the waters
מֵ֣י (mê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

of Merom
מֵר֔וֹם (mê·rō·wm)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4792: Merom -- a place in Upper Galilee

to fight
לְהִלָּחֵ֖ם (lə·hil·lā·ḥêm)
Preposition-l | Verb - Nifal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3898: To feed on, to consume, to battle

against
עִם־ (‘im-)
Preposition
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

Israel.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc


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OT History: Joshua 11:5 All these kings met together (Josh. Jos)
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