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.
They came out to battle with all their armies—so many people that they were like the sand on the seashore. They had huge numbers of horses and chariots.
The writer is describing how the enemy kings gathered massive armies with countless soldiers, horses, and chariots to fight against Israel.
📚 Historical Context
This verse describes the coalition of Canaanite kings led by Jabin of Hazor who united to fight against Joshua and the Israelites around 1400 BC. These northern kingdoms possessed superior military technology, including iron chariots and cavalry, which the Israelites lacked. The comparison to sand on the seashore emphasizes the seemingly impossible odds Israel faced against this massive military alliance.
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