Joshua 10:19

And stay ye not, [but] pursue after your enemies, and smite the hindmost of them; suffer them not to enter into their cities: for the LORD your God hath delivered them into your hand.

And stay {H5975} ye not, but pursue {H7291} after {H310} your enemies {H341}, and smite the hindmost {H2179} of them; suffer {H5414} them not to enter {H935} into their cities {H5892}: for the LORD {H3068} your God {H430} hath delivered {H5414} them into your hand {H3027}.

However, you, don't wait, but keep chasing your enemies, and attack those farthest in the rear. Don't allow them to return to their cities, because ADONAI has handed them over to you."

But you, do not stop there. Pursue your enemies and attack them from behind. Do not let them reach their cities, for the LORD your God has delivered them into your hand.”

but stay not ye; pursue after your enemies, and smite the hindmost of them; suffer them not to enter into their cities: for Jehovah your God hath delivered them into your hand.

Commentary

Context of Joshua 10:19

Joshua 10 records one of the most dramatic events in the conquest of Canaan. Following Israel's covenant with the Gibeonites, a coalition of five Amorite kings attacked Gibeon. Israel, under Joshua's leadership, marched quickly to defend their new allies. The battle was divinely assisted, most famously by the sun and moon standing still (Joshua 10:13), granting Israel an extended day to rout their enemies. Verse 19 comes at a critical juncture during this pursuit, emphasizing the need for relentless action to secure a decisive victory.

Meaning and Key Themes

  • Relentless Pursuit: Joshua commands his forces not to rest or delay, but to vigorously pursue the fleeing Amorite kings and their armies. This highlights the importance of completing the task God has set before them, leaving no opportunity for the enemy to regroup or escape.
  • Decisive Victory: The instruction to "smite the hindmost of them" and "suffer them not to enter into their cities" underscores the goal of total incapacitation. Preventing the enemy from reaching the safety of fortified cities was crucial to ensure their defeat was complete and their threat neutralized.
  • Divine Assurance: The foundational reason for this bold command is stated clearly: "for the LORD your God hath delivered them into your hand." This phrase, common in the Old Testament, signifies that God has already granted complete victory and control over the enemy. It's a declaration of divine sovereignty and active participation in Israel's battles, providing the confidence and impetus for their relentless pursuit. It echoes the principle that the Lord fights for His people.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "hath delivered them into your hand" is a powerful biblical idiom. It signifies that God has given ultimate authority and power over the enemy to Israel. It's not merely that God has helped them, but that He has actively transferred the enemy's fate into their control, ensuring their success and validating their vigorous pursuit.

Practical Application

Joshua 10:19 offers valuable lessons beyond its historical context:

  • Spiritual Warfare: In the Christian life, this verse can symbolize the need for decisive action against sin and temptation. When we gain a victory over a spiritual enemy, we are called not to linger or allow it to regroup, but to press on, ensuring no foothold is given to evil (Ephesians 4:27).
  • Perseverance in Faith: It encourages believers to be persistent in their walk of faith, not giving up when obstacles arise or when a breakthrough has been achieved. Just as Israel had to pursue the enemy, we are called to persevere in doing good, trusting that God has already delivered the ultimate victory through Christ.
  • Trust in God's Promises: The verse reminds us that our strength and ability to overcome come from God's prior deliverance. When we face challenges, we can press forward with confidence, knowing that "the LORD your God hath delivered them into your hand."
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 18:37

    I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.

  • Psalms 18:41

    They cried, but [there was] none to save [them: even] unto the LORD, but he answered them not.

  • Jeremiah 48:10

    Cursed [be] he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully, and cursed [be] he that keepeth back his sword from blood.

  • 2 Samuel 17:13

    Moreover, if he be gotten into a city, then shall all Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there be not one small stone found there.

  • Joshua 10:20

    And it came to pass, when Joshua and the children of Israel had made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter, till they were consumed, that the rest [which] remained of them entered into fenced cities.

  • 2 Samuel 20:6

    And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than [did] Absalom: take thou thy lord's servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us.

  • Jeremiah 8:14

    Why do we sit still? assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the defenced cities, and let us be silent there: for the LORD our God hath put us to silence, and given us water of gall to drink, because we have sinned against the LORD.
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