Joshua 11:13

“But as for the cities that stood still in their strength, etc.] Whose walls were not demolished when taken, as Kimchi and Jarchi interpret it, or that “stood upon their heaps” f245; upon an eminence, being built on hills and mountains: Israel burned none of them; but reserved them for their own habitations, being well fortified, and having no need of new walls being built to them, or being in a very agreeable situation: save Hazor only, [that] did Joshua burn; because it was the chief city where the scheme was formed, and the combination against Israel was made, and was the rendezvous of the confederate forces against them: the Jews have a tradition f246, that God said to Moses, and Moses…”

“as for the cities that stood still in their strength--literally, "on their heaps." It was a PhÅ“nician custom to build cities on heights, natural or artificial [HENGSTENBERG].”

“Render: “But the cities standing each on its own hill” (compare Jeremiah 30:18). The meaning is simply that, with the exception of Hazor, Joshua did not burn the cities, but left them standing, each on its former site. This site is spoken of as a hill, because such was the ordinary site chosen for cities in Canaan (compare Matthew 5:14). return to 'Top of Page'”

“In their strength - Heb. with their fence, walls or bulwarks, that is, which were not ruined with their walls in taking them. Save Hazor - Because this city began the war, and being the chief and royal city, might renew the war. If the Canaanites should ever seize upon it: which in fact they did, and settled there, under a king of the same name, Jdg 4:2. Joshua 11:16”

“11:13 the towns built on mounds: In the ancient Near East it was common practice to rebuild cities on the same sites after they had been destroyed. All the elements that made a city site advantageous remained after a city’s destruction. Many cities were rebuilt numerous times, slowly rising in height as more debris accumulated after each destruction. • Joshua burned only Hazor in the north, just as he had destroyed Jericho (6:24) and Ai (8:28) in the center of the land.”

“in their: Heb. on their heap, The Vulgate, Syriac, Onkelos and Waterland render âl tillom, "on their hills." As the cities of the plain might be easily attacked and carried, Joshua destroyed them; but as those on mountains, hills, or other eminences, might be retained by him with little trouble, prudence would dictate their preservation. Jer 30:18 Joshua 11:14”