11:5a

All these kings: The phrase All these kings indicates the kings of each of the towns mentioned in the above verses.

joined forces: The clause joined forces indicates that the kings told their armies to fight together as one army against the Israelites.

11:5b

and encamped: The clause and encamped indicates that all the armies set up their camps as if they were one army.

at the waters of Merom: The exact location of the waters of Merom is uncertain. It was probably a riverbed where waters flowed during rainstorms. It was probably somewhere between the Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean coast.

Here is another way to translate this term:

Merom Brook (Good News Translation)

11:5c

to fight against Israel: The clause to fight against Israel indicates the intention of the armies. They gathered and set up camp in order to fight against the Israelites. This can also be translated as an independent sentence. For example:

Then they got ready to fight with Israel.

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