Albert Barnes Commentary Joshua 11

Jabin - Probably the hereditary and official title of the kings of Hazor . The word means literally “he shall understand,” and is equivalent to “the wise” or “intelligent.”

Hazor - This name, which means “enclosed” or “fortified,” also belonged to two other towns in the south of Judah (compare Joshua 15:23, Joshua 15:25). The Hazor here in question, the head of the principalities of Northern Canaan (Joshua 11:10), overlooked the lake of Merom and was afterward assigned to the tribe of Naphtali (Joshua 19:36).

It was undoubtedly one of the strongest fortresses in the north, both by nature and art. It is mentioned in Egyptian inscriptions of an early date. Its situation in the midst of a plain, though itself on a hill, rendered it especially suitable as a stronghold for people whose main reliance was on horses and chariots (Joshua 11:4; Judges 4:3).

Its position on the northern frontier led to its being fortified by Solomon (1 Kings 9:15). Its people were carried away captive, along with those of the other cities of Naphtali, by Tiglath-Pileser (2 Kings 15:29).

The “plain of Nasor,” where Jonathan gained a victory over the Syrians , is undoubtedly to be understood as “the plain of Asor” (that is, Hazor). Hazor is conjecturally identified with the modern Tell Kuraibeh.

Had heard those things - That is, the defeat of the southern Canaanites at Beth-horon and the conquest of their country.

The sites of Madon, Shimron, and Achshaph are unknown.

On the north of the mountains - Rather, “northward in the mountains.” The reference is to the mountain district of Galilee, called “mount Naphtali” (Joshua 20:7).

On the plains south of Chinneroth - literally, “in the Arabah south of Chinneroth.” The words describe the northern portion of the “Arabah” , or depressed tract, which extends along the Jordan from the lake of Gennesaret southward.

Chinneroth - Identical with the later Gennesaret . The lake derived its name from a town on its banks .

In the valley - The northern part of the same flat district mentioned in Joshua 9:1. This “valley” is the level plain adjacent to the sea and extending from Carmel southward.

Borders of Dor - Render “highlands of Dor.” Dor was a royal city, and gave its name to the district around it (1 Kings 4:11). Its importance was derived from its having an excellent and well-sheltered haven, and from the abundance among its rocks of the shellfish which furnished the famous Tyrian purple. The site of Dor is identified by travelers as the modern Tantura or Dandora—a name which is itself only a corruption of the ancient Dor. It lies near the foot of Carmel some six miles north of Caesarea.

Hermon—See (Deuteronomy 3:9) note.

The land of Mizpeh—or Mizpah, “the land of the watch-tower.” The locality is probably identified as a plain stretching at the foot of Hermon southwestward, from Hasbeya, toward the Bahr el Huleh. In a land abounding in striking points of view like Palestine, the name Mizpah was naturally, like “Belle Vue” among us, bestowed on many places. The Mizpeh mentioned here must not be confounded with the Mizpeh of Gilead (Joshua 13:26 and Judges 11:29), nor with the Mizpeh of Judah (Joshua 15:38), nor with that of Moab (1 Samuel 22:3).

Waters of Merom - that is, “the upper waters,” the modern Bahr el Huleh, the lake Semechonitis, or Samochonitis of Josephus. This lake occupies the southern half of the Ard el Huleh, a depressed basin some 15 miles long and 3 or 4 miles wide lying between the hills of Galilee on the west and the lower spurs of Hermon on the east.

The size of the lake varies with the season, and its northern side ends in a large swamp. The shape of the lake is triangular, the point being at the south, where the Jordan, which enters it on the north, again leaves it. There is a considerable space of tableland along the southwestern shore, and here the troops of Jabin and his confederates were probably encamped, preparing to move southward when Joshua and his army fell suddenly upon them.

Hamstring their horses – that is, cut the sinews of their hind hooves. This sinew, once severed, cannot be healed, and the horses would thus be irreparably lamed. This is the first appearance of horses in the wars with the Canaanites (Deuteronomy 17:16 and note).