John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 6. And the Lord said unto Joshua, be not afraid because of them , etc.] Of their number, of their horsemen, and of their scythed chariots; which might at first hearing occasion some fear and dread. And according to Josephus f228 , the multitude of them terrified both Joshua and the Israelites; and therefore the Lord appeared and spoke to him for his encouragement: though what was said was for the sake of the Israelites, and to animate them who might be disheartened, rather than for the sake of Joshua, who was of a bold and courageous spirit. Whether this was said to him at Gilgal, and out of the tabernacle there, quickly after the tidings of the combination of the kings were brought to him, or whether when upon his march towards them, is uncertain: for tomorrow about this time will I deliver them up slain before Israel ; as many were, and others wounded and put to flight, as the word signifies, so as to be as good as dead. If Gilgal was twenty two miles from the waters of Merom, as Bunting says f229 , and supposing this to be said to him before he set out, he must travel all night to reach thither the next day; and if it was sixty miles, as some say, this must be said to him when on his march, and within a day’s march of the enemy; for Josephus says it was on the fifth day that he came up with them, and fell upon them: thou shalt hough their horses ; cut their nerves under their hams, or hamstring them, so that they might be useless hereafter; for the kings of Israel were not to multiply horses; and Joshua, as their chief ruler, was to have no advantage of them by their falling into his hands: and burn their chariots with fire ; that so they might not be used by the Israelites afterwards, who might be tempted to put their trust and confidence in them, as many did.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-9 - The wonders God wrought for the Israelites were to encourage them to act vigorously themselves. Thus the war against Satan's kingdom carried on by preaching the gospel, was at first forwarded by miracles but being fully proved to be of God, we are now left to the Divin grace in the usual course, in the use of the sword of the Spirit. God encouraged Joshua. Fresh dangers and difficulties make it necessary to seek fresh supports from the word of God, which we have nigh unto u for use in every time of need. God proportions our trials to ou strength, and our strength to our trials. Joshua's obedience in destroying the horses and chariots, shows his self-denial in complianc with God's command. The possession of things on which the carnal hear is prone to depend, is hurtful to the life of faith, and the walk with God; therefore it is better to be without worldly advantages, than to have the soul endangered by them. (Jos 11:10-14)
Original Hebrew ויאמר559 יהוה3068 אל413 יהושׁע3091 אל408 תירא3372 מפניהם6440 כי3588 מחר4279 כעת6256 הזאת2063 אנכי595 נתן5414 את853 כלם3605 חללים2491 לפני6440 ישׂראל3478 את853 סוסיהם5483 תעקר6131 ואת853 מרכבתיהם4818 תשׂרף8313 באשׁ׃784
