Study Desk

So the elders and inhabitants of our land told us, 'Take provisions for your journey; go to meet them and say to them: We are your servants. Please make a treaty with us.'

They continued, "Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers for the whole congregation." So the leaders kept their promise.

Now therefore you are under a curse and will perpetually serve as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God."

The Gibeonites answered, "Your servants were told clearly that the LORD your God had commanded His servant Moses to give you all the land and wipe out all its inhabitants before you. So we greatly feared for our lives because of you, and that is why we have done this.

On that day he made them woodcutters and water carriers, as they are to this day, for the congregation of the LORD and for the altar at the place He would choose.

The LORD said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid of them, for I have given them into your hands. Not one of them shall stand against you."

There has been no day like it before or since, when the LORD listened to the voice of a man, because the LORD fought for Israel.

But you, do not stop there. Pursue your enemies and attack them from behind. Do not let them reach their cities, for the LORD your God has delivered them into your hand."

"Do not be afraid or discouraged," Joshua said. "Be strong and courageous, for the LORD will do this to all the enemies you fight."

And because the LORD, the God of Israel, fought for Israel, Joshua captured all these kings and their land in one campaign.

Then 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 shall hamstring their horses and burn up their chariots."

The Israelites took for themselves all the plunder and livestock of these cities, but they struck down all the people with the sword until they had completely destroyed them, not sparing anyone who breathed.

Joshua waged war against all these kings for a long period of time.

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.

half of Gilead, also Ashtaroth and Edrei the royal cities of Og in Bashan. All this was for the clans of the descendants of Machir son of Manasseh, that is, half the descendants of Machir.

Their inheritance was assigned by lot for the nine and a half tribes, as the LORD had commanded through Moses.

For Moses had given the inheritance east of the Jordan to the other two and a half tribes. But he granted no inheritance among them to the Levites.

The descendants of Joseph became two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. And no portion of the land was given to the Levites, except for cities in which to live, along with pasturelands for their flocks and herds.

still as strong today as I was the day Moses sent me out. As my strength was then, so it is now for war, for going out, and for coming in.

Now therefore give me this hill country that the LORD promised me on that day, for you yourself heard then that the Anakim were there, with great and fortified cities. Perhaps with the LORD's help I will drive them out, as the LORD has spoken."