Joshua 10:1

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ Now it came to pass, when Adonizedek king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them;

Complete Jewish Bible:

When Adoni-Tzedek king of Yerushalayim heard how Y'hoshua had taken 'Ai and utterly destroyed it - he had done the same to 'Ai and its king as he had done to Yericho and its king - and how the inhabitants of Giv'on had made peace with Isra'el and were living among them,

Berean Standard Bible:

Now Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem heard that Joshua had captured Ai and devoted it to destruction—doing to Ai and its king as he had done to Jericho and its king—and that the people of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and were living near them.

American Standard Version:

Now it came to pass, when Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it (as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king), and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Now it came to pass, when Adonizedek{H139} king{H4428} of Jerusalem{H3389} had heard{H8085} how{H3588} Joshua{H3091} had taken{H3920} Ai{H5857}, and had utterly destroyed{H2763} it; as he had done{H6213} to Jericho{H3405} and her king{H4428}, so he had done{H6213} to Ai{H5857} and her king{H4428}; and how the inhabitants{H3427} of Gibeon{H1391} had made peace{H7999} with Israel{H3478}, and were among{H7130} them;

Cross-References (KJV):

Genesis 14:18

  • And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he [was] the priest of the most high God.

Joshua 8:2

  • And thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst unto Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves: lay thee an ambush for the city behind it.

Joshua 6:21

  • And they utterly destroyed all that [was] in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword.

Joshua 11:19

  • There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, save the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon: all [other] they took in battle.

Joshua 11:20

  • For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, [and] that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Joshua 8:22

  • And the other issued out of the city against them; so they were in the midst of Israel, some on this side, and some on that side: and they smote them, so that they let none of them remain or escape.

Joshua 8:29

  • And the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until eventide: and as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they should take his carcase down from the tree, and cast it at the entering of the gate of the city, and raise thereon a great heap of stones, [that remaineth] unto this day.

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Commentary for Joshua 10:1

Joshua 10:1 sets the stage for a significant military campaign in the Israelite conquest of Canaan. The verse introduces Adonizedek, the king of Jerusalem, who has learned of Joshua's recent victories. Joshua, leading the Israelites, has successfully conquered and destroyed two key cities: Jericho and Ai. The destruction of these cities, including their kings, signifies the might and the divine favor that the Israelites believe they possess, as they attribute their victories to the guidance and power of their God.

The historical context of this verse is rooted in the broader narrative of the Israelites' entry into the Promised Land after their exodus from Egypt. The defeat of Jericho and Ai are pivotal moments that demonstrate the Israelites' emerging dominance in Canaan. The mention of Gibeon's peace treaty with Israel is also crucial; it reflects a strategic decision by the Gibeonites to ally with the Israelites rather than face destruction, which has implications for the ensuing conflict.

The themes present in this verse include the fear of surrounding nations in response to Israel's military successes, the fulfillment of divine promises to the Israelites, and the political and military strategies employed in the ancient world. The verse also hints at the theme of divine intervention in warfare, as the Israelites interpret their victories as a sign of God's favor and assistance. Adonizedek's reaction to these events is one of concern and readiness to confront the emerging threat, which sets the scene for the impending battle in the following chapters.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H139
    There are 177 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֲדֹנִי־צֶדֶק
    Transliteration: ʼĂdônîy-Tsedeq
    Pronunciation: ad-o''-nee-tseh'-dek
    Description: from אָדוֹן and צֶדֶק; lord of justice; Adoni-Tsedek, a Canaanitish king; Adonizedec.
  2. Strong's Number: H4428
    There are 1922 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מֶלֶךְ
    Transliteration: melek
    Pronunciation: meh'-lek
    Description: from מָלַךְ; a king; king, royal.
  3. Strong's Number: H3389
    There are 600 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם
    Transliteration: Yᵉrûwshâlaim
    Pronunciation: yer-oo-shaw-lah'-im
    Description: rarely יְרוּשָׁלַיִם; a dual (in allusion to its two main hills (the true pointing, at least of the former reading, seems to be that of יְרוּשָׁלֵם)); probably from (the passive participle of) יָרָה and שָׁלַם; founded peaceful; Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine; Jerusalem.
  4. Strong's Number: H8085
    There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שָׁמַע
    Transliteration: shâmaʻ
    Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
    Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.
  5. Strong's Number: H3588
    There are 43 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: כִּי
    Transliteration: kîy
    Pronunciation: kee
    Description: a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed; and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet.
  6. Strong's Number: H3091
    There are 199 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יְהוֹשׁוּעַ
    Transliteration: Yᵉhôwshûwaʻ
    Pronunciation: yeh-ho-shoo'-ah
    Description: or יְהוֹשֻׁעַ; from יְהֹוָה and יָשַׁע; Jehovah-saved; Jehoshua (i.e. Joshua), the Jewish leader; Jehoshua, Jehoshuah, Joshua. Compare הוֹשֵׁעַ, יֵשׁוּעַ.
  7. Strong's Number: H3920
    There are 112 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: לָכַד
    Transliteration: lâkad
    Pronunciation: law-kad'
    Description: a primitive root; to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere; [idiom] at all, catch (self), be frozen, be holden, stick together, take.
  8. Strong's Number: H5857
    There are 34 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עַי
    Transliteration: ʻAy
    Pronunciation: ah'ee
    Description: or (feminine) עַיָּא; (Nehemiah 11:31), or עַיָּת; (Isaiah 10:28), for עִי; Ai, Aja or Ajath, a place in Palestine; Ai, Aija, Aijath, Hai.
  9. Strong's Number: H2763
    There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: חָרַם
    Transliteration: châram
    Pronunciation: khaw-ram'
    Description: a primitive root; to seclude; specifically (by a ban) to devote to religious uses (especially destruction); physical and reflexive, to be blunt as to the nose; make accursed, consecrate, (utterly) destroy, devote, forfeit, have a flat nose, utterly (slay, make away).
  10. Strong's Number: H6213
    There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עָשָׂה
    Transliteration: ʻâsâh
    Pronunciation: aw-saw'
    Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.
  11. Strong's Number: H3405
    There are 53 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יְרִיחוֹ
    Transliteration: Yᵉrîychôw
    Pronunciation: yer-ee-kho'
    Description: or יְרֵחוֹ; or variation (1 Kings 16:34) יְרִיחֹה; perhaps from יָרֵחַ; its month; or else from רוּחַ; fragrant; Jericho or Jerecho, a place in Palestine; Jericho.
  12. Strong's Number: H3427
    There are 980 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יָשַׁב
    Transliteration: yâshab
    Pronunciation: yaw-shab'
    Description: a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry; (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry.
  13. Strong's Number: H1391
    There are 35 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: גִּבְעוֹן
    Transliteration: Gibʻôwn
    Pronunciation: ghib-ohn'
    Description: from the same as גֶּבַע; hilly; Gibon, a place in Palestine; Gibeon.
  14. Strong's Number: H7999
    There are 107 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שָׁלַם
    Transliteration: shâlam
    Pronunciation: shaw-lam'
    Description: a primitive root; to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate (in various applications); make amends, (make an) end, finish, full, give again, make good, (re-) pay (again), (make) (to) (be at) peace(-able), that is perfect, perform, (make) prosper(-ous), recompense, render, requite, make restitution, restore, reward, [idiom] surely.
  15. Strong's Number: H3478
    There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
    Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
    Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
    Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel.
  16. Strong's Number: H7130
    There are 220 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: קֶרֶב
    Transliteration: qereb
    Pronunciation: keh'-reb
    Description: from קָרַב; properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition); [idiom] among, [idiom] before, bowels, [idiom] unto charge, [phrase] eat (up), [idiom] heart, [idiom] him, [idiom] in, inward ([idiom] -ly, part, -s, thought), midst, [phrase] out of, purtenance, [idiom] therein, [idiom] through, [idiom] within self.