Cutting Off the Anakims - Joshua 11:21

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “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 favor, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses”, and in chapter eleven and verse twenty-one of the book of Joshua we learn, “at that time came Joshua, and cut off the Anakims” where we read, 

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.

The verse reads, “And at that time came Joshua, and cut off the Anakims from the mountains, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and at that time” which means “at that experience, occurrence and event” “came Joshua” or “went in and entered Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation”, “and cut off the Anakims” which means “and eliminate and kill the Anakims whose name means ‘long-necked’ and was a tribe of giants, descendants of Anak, which dwelled in southern Canaan” “from the mountains” or “apart from the risings above the plain”, “from Hebron” which means “apart from Hebron whose name means ‘association’ and was a city in south Judah approximately twenty south of Jerusalem and approximately twenty miles (30 km) north of Beersheba and near where Abraham built an altar”, “from Debir” or “apart from Debir whose name means ‘sanctuary’ and was a town in the mountains of Judah west of Hebron and given to the priests and a city of refuge”, “from Anab” which means “apart from Anab whose name means ‘fruit’ and was a city in the mountains of southern Judah, eighteen miles southwest of Hebron”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” eliminated the “Anakims” from the risings above the plains named “Hermon, Debir and Anab”. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “… and from all the mountains of Judah, and from all the mountains of Israel: Joshua destroyed them utterly with their cities.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and from all the mountains” which means “and apart from each, every and the whole of the risings above the plain” “of Judah” or “belonging to Judah whose name means ‘praised’ and was the kingdom comprised of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin which occupied the southern part of Canaan after the nation split upon the death of Solomon”, “and from all the mountains” which means “and apart from each, every and the whole of the risings above the plain” “of Israel” or “belonging to Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”: “Joshua destroyed them utterly” which means “Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation completely and utterly eliminated, exterminated, annihilated and mutilated them, the Anakims” “with their cities” or “alongside their, the Anakim’s, dwelling places and towns”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” completely annihilated every one of the “Anakims” and their territories within the mountainous areas. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how Jehovah God gave “Joshua” and the army of “Israel” complete victory over the “Anakims” who were the next people group to defeat within the promise land. One by one these pagan people groups were being removed, and because they were opposed to “Israel”, they were opposed to Jehovah God. God wants everyone to be in a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when He raised Him from the dead after three days, He made the way through belief and trust in Him as “Savior and Lord” to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and provided with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to that truth and in a victorious manner over every adversary and foe who rises up against us and Him in keeping with His perfect will and plan. 

Next time we learn how, “there was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of Israel”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".