Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Joshua 11:21. It’s a really significant passage in the Bible that describes a devastating event. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: The Problem: The Israelites were becoming too powerful and aggressive. They were expanding their territory and pushing into areas traditionally occupied by Canaanites (people from the land God had promised to them). Joshua’s Command: Joshua, the leader of Israel, was instructed by God to take action. He told his men to completely destroy these Canaanite settlements – specifically, the mountains of Judah and Israel. The Destruction: Joshua led a large force and systematically destroyed all the settlements on those mountains. He utterly obliterated them with their cities. Let’s unpack it further: “And at that time came Joshua…” : This tells us this happened during a specific period of time – likely after the Israelites had been conquered. “…cut off the Anakims from the mountains…” : The “Anakims” were Canaanites who lived in these areas. "Cut off" means to completely eliminate them. "...from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the mountains of Judah..." : This list gives us a specific geographic area – the mountainous region within Judah. It’s not just any mountain; it's a cluster of prominent mountains in that part of Israel. "...and from all the mountains of Israel." : This reinforces that the destruction was happening across the entire land of Israel. What does this verse tell us about God’s perspective? Divine Justice: This is often interpreted as a demonstration of God's justice. He wasn't just punishing the Canaanites; he was removing a source of potential conflict and disruption from his people. Restoring Order: It suggests that God needed to restore order and security to his nation. The destruction of these Canaanite settlements was a way to establish Israel’s dominance and protect its borders. Important Note: This verse is part of a larger narrative in the Old Testament about the conquest of Canaan and the establishment of the Kingdom of Israel. It's a dramatic event that highlights the importance of God’s protection and his will for His people. --- Do you want me to: Explain another passage from Joshua? Discuss the symbolism behind this verse (e.g., what does it represent about power)?