Battle at the Waters of Merom

Illustration of Battle at the Waters of Merom

The Battle at the Waters of Merom, recorded in Joshua 11, occurred after Israel's southern victories when Jabin, king of Hazor, assembled a vast northern coalition of Canaanite kings with horses and chariots to oppose the Israelites. Joshua, following divine instruction not to fear, launched a surprise attack that routed the enemy forces, destroyed their chariots, and burned Hazor to the ground. This engagement marked the decisive conclusion of the military conquest of Canaan, fulfilling God's promise to give the land to the Israelites and enabling the subsequent tribal allotments described in the book of Joshua.

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Details

Era
Exodus & Conquest
Category
Conquest
Participants
Israel vs. Northern Canaanite Coalition
Outcome
Northern Canaanite coalition destroyed
Divine Intervention
Yes

Key Passages

The Battle

Joshua 11:1-9

A1nd it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor had heard those things, that he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph,

2 And to the kings that were on the north of the mountains, and of the plains south of Chinneroth, and in the valley, and in the borders of Dor on the west, 3 And to the Canaanite on the east and on the west, and to the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the mountains, and to the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpeh. 4 And they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people, even as the sand that is upon the sea shore in multitude, with horses and chariots very many. 5 And when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel. 6 And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire. 7 So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom suddenly; and they fell upon them. 8 And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon, and unto Misrephothmaim, and unto the valley of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left them none remaining. 9 And Joshua did unto them as the LORD bade him: he houghed their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire.

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Did You Know?

1

This battle broke the power of the northern Canaanite coalition permanently.

2

Joshua hamstrung the captured horses and burned the chariots. Refusing to build a conventional army.

3

The victory gave Israel control of all northern Canaan in a single campaign.