Joshua 11:20 Meaning: The Meaning of God Hardening Hearts
For it was of Yahweh to harden their hearts, to come against Israel in battle, that he might utterly destroy them, that they might have no favor, but that he might destroy them, as Yahweh commanded Moses.
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 favour, but that he might destroy them, as the Lord commanded Moses.
For it was of Jehovah to harden their hearts, to come against Israel in battle, that he might utterly destroy them, that they might have no favor, but that he might destroy them, as Jehovah commanded Moses.
for from Jehovah it hath been to strengthen their heart, to meet in battle with Israel, in order to devote them, so that they have no grace, but in order to destroy them, as Jehovah commanded Moses.
For it was of Jehovah that their heart was hardened, to meet Israel in battle, that they might be utterly destroyed, and that there might be no favour shewn to them, but that they might be destroyed, as Jehovah had commanded Moses.
Meaning in one sentence
God hardened the Canaanites' hearts for battle. What does this teach us about His justice, mercy, and judgment in the Old Testament?
Context
Joshua 11 describes Israel's northern campaign under Joshua. After the southern kings were defeated in chapter 10, a coalition led by Jabin of Hazor gathered for war. The chapter lists the many cities taken and kings killed. But verse 20 pauses the action to explain something deeper. Why did none of these cities make peace with Israel, except Gibeon? The answer is startling: it was from the Lord that their hearts were hardened to come against Israel in battle. This verse serves as a theological summary, reminding readers that behind human decisions stands the sovereign God who works all things according to His purpose. The chapter frames the conquest not merely as military success but as divine judgment executed through Israel.
Key Words
Three Hebrew words open up what this verse means. The verb behind 'harden' is chazaq (חָזַק), meaning to strengthen or make firm. It can describe someone taking courage, but here it takes a darker turn: God confirms these kings in their own stubborn resistance. He does not create evil in them; He gives them over to the steady direction their hearts have already taken.
The word translated 'favour' is techinah (תְּחִנָּה), a plea for mercy. The verse says they had no such favour, no opportunity to beg for grace, no space to turn. That finality marks the severity of God's judgment on a culture that had filled up its sin (Genesis 15:16).
Two different verbs for destruction appear: charam (utterly destroy, set apart for the ban) and shamad (exterminate). Both carry the weight of holy war, treating these cities as an unclean thing that must be removed entirely. It is sobering language, meant to show that God takes persistent rebellion with absolute seriousness.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians from many traditions have read this verse as describing God's judgment on peoples who had long rejected Him. Adam Clarke (Methodist) explains that the Canaanites 'had sinned against all the light they had received,' and God 'left them justly to the hardness, obstinacy, and pride of their own hearts.' The Cambridge Bible (Anglican) notes that divine hardening in Scripture 'is always inflicted as a judgment on those who had previously acted contrary to the Divine will.' Matthew Henry (Reformed) sees God's hand in fulfilling His command to destroy these nations for their abominable wickedness. Wesley's Notes says God gave them up to 'their own animosity, pride, confidence and stubbornness.' All these traditions agree: this is not arbitrary cruelty but righteous judgment responding to human sin.
A common misunderstanding
Living This Out
This week, you might face a temptation to resist God's voice in a particular area, a habit, a relationship, a priority you refuse to trust Him with. This verse warns that persistence in rebellion can lead to a hardened heart, where responding becomes harder each time. But it also reminds you that God's mercy is still being offered. The Canaanites had no opportunity to seek mercy; you do, today. Consider where you need to soften toward God. Ask Him to break through any hardness in you while there is still time.
Main takeaway: God's hardening of hearts is His righteous judgment on persistent sin, not arbitrary cruelty, and it calls us to respond to His mercy while it may be found.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God made the Canaanites' hearts strong and stubborn because they would not obey Him. This teaches us that we should listen to God when He speaks, so our hearts stay soft.
For ages 9, 12
In this verse, we see that God sometimes lets people's hearts become hard when they keep saying no to Him. The Canaanites had done many wrong things for a long time, and God used their stubbornness to bring judgment. It is a serious reminder that when we ignore God, our hearts can grow hard too. That is why it is important to ask God to help us listen and obey.
Questions People Ask
What does it mean that God hardened their hearts in Joshua 11:20?
The Hebrew word chazaq means to strengthen or make firm. Here it means God gave the Canaanite kings over to their own stubbornness, confirming them in their decision to fight Israel rather than seek peace. It is presented as a judicial act in response to their persistent sin and idolatry.
Is it fair for God to harden hearts?
Christians have understood this as God's righteous judgment on sin, not arbitrary cruelty. The Canaanites had long histories of wickedness (see Leviticus 18). Hardening comes after repeated rejection of God. The Bible also shows God's patience: He gave the Canaanites centuries to repent (Genesis 15:16). This verse describes the final stage of judgment, not the beginning.
How is this like God hardening Pharaoh's heart?
Both passages use similar language. In Exodus, God hardens Pharaoh's heart after Pharaoh first hardens his own heart (Exodus 8:15, 32). By the time God acts, it is judgment on a pattern of resistance. In Joshua, the Canaanites also refused to seek peace with Israel (except Gibeon). Both cases show God confirming people in the sin they have chosen.
Does this verse mean God causes sin?
The Bible never says God causes sin. Instead, it shows that God uses human sin within His sovereign plan. Hardening describes God giving people over to the sinful direction they have already taken (Romans 1:24-28). He does not create evil but ordains its limits and uses it for His purposes.
For pastors & researchers
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