Joshua 10:19

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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."

Berean Standard Bible

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.”

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Joshua 10:19 encapsulates a critical command from Joshua to the Israelite forces during their pursuit of the Amorite coalition. Following a divinely assisted rout, Joshua charges his army to maintain relentless pressure on the fleeing enemy, preventing them from regrouping or finding refuge in their fortified cities. This urgent directive is grounded in the absolute assurance that the Lord God has already delivered the enemy into Israel's hand, signifying a divinely guaranteed and decisive victory that requires human cooperation to be fully realized.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 10 details one of the most dramatic and significant battles in Israel's conquest of Canaan. The immediate preceding events involve the Gibeonites' clever treaty with Israel, which prompts a coalition of five Amorite kings, led by Adoni-Zedek of Jerusalem, to attack Gibeon for their defection. Israel, bound by covenant, marches swiftly to Gibeon's defense. The battle is marked by extraordinary divine intervention, including a miraculous hailstorm that killed more of the enemy than Israel's swords (`/joshua/10-11`), and the unparalleled event of the sun and moon standing still at Joshua's command, extending daylight to ensure a complete victory (`/joshua/10-13`). Verse 19 occurs as the Amorite kings and their armies flee, having been utterly routed. Joshua's command here is not for the initial engagement, but for the crucial follow-through—the relentless pursuit that would prevent any recovery or future threat from the defeated foe.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Near Eastern warfare was often brutal and decisive, with little quarter given, especially in conquest narratives. Fortified cities served as primary defensive strongholds and places of refuge for retreating armies. Preventing an enemy from reaching such a city was paramount to securing a complete victory, as it denied them the opportunity to regroup, resupply, or launch counter-attacks. The concept of "delivering into one's hand" was a common idiom signifying absolute control and victory, often attributed to divine action. Israel's campaign in Canaan was understood not merely as military expansion but as divine judgment against the inhabitants for their wickedness, as outlined in passages like [Deuteronomy 9:5](/deuteronomy/9-5 "Deuteronomy 9:5 - Not for Your Righteousness"). This context underscores the total nature of the war and the necessity of complete eradication of the threat.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully reinforces several key themes prevalent in the book of Joshua and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Faithfulness**, where God is the primary actor in Israel's victories, fulfilling His promises to grant them the land and defeat their enemies. The phrase "the LORD your God hath delivered them into your hand" is a declaration of God's prior and decisive action. This leads directly to the theme of **Human Obedience and Cooperation**, as Israel is called to actively participate in the victory God has already secured. Their relentless pursuit is an act of faith, trusting in God's word. Furthermore, the command highlights the theme of **Decisive Victory and No Compromise**, emphasizing that God's work is thorough and requires Israel to leave no opportunity for the enemy to recover, thus ensuring the complete fulfillment of the conquest mandate found in passages like [Deuteronomy 7:1-2](/deuteronomy/7-1-2 "Deuteronomy 7:1-2 - Divine Command to Destroy Nations").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pursue (Hebrew, רָדַף, _radaph_):** This verb signifies an active, often aggressive, chase or pursuit. It implies not merely following, but actively running after with the intent to overtake and capture or destroy. In military contexts, it denotes a relentless pursuit of a fleeing enemy to prevent their escape or regrouping. Here, it conveys urgency and the necessity of sustained effort beyond the initial rout.
* **Smite (Hebrew, נָכָה, _nakah_):** A very common and versatile Hebrew verb, _nakah_ generally means "to strike," "to hit," or "to smite." In warfare, it often carries the strong connotation of striking down, defeating, or killing. The command to "smite the hindmost of them" indicates a strategic and decisive blow aimed at the most vulnerable part of the retreating army, ensuring maximum casualties and preventing any effective counter-action.
* **Delivered...into your hand (Hebrew, נָתַן בְּיַד, _natan b'yad_):** This is a powerful and frequently used idiom in the Old Testament. _Natan_ means "to give" or "to place," and _b'yad_ means "in the hand of." Together, the phrase signifies a complete transfer of power, authority, or control. It means that God has already granted absolute victory and placed the enemy completely at Israel's disposal. It's a declaration of divine assurance and a theological basis for Israel's confident and relentless action.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And stay ye not, [but] pursue after your enemies":** This is an urgent, negative command followed by a positive one. "Stay ye not" (literally, "do not stand still") emphasizes the critical need for immediate, continuous action. There is no time for rest or complacency after the initial victory. Instead, they are to actively and relentlessly "pursue" the fleeing Amorite forces, ensuring no opportunity for them to escape or recover.
* **"and smite the hindmost of them; suffer them not to enter into their cities":** This clause provides specific tactical instructions for the pursuit. "Smite the hindmost" targets the most vulnerable and slowest elements of the retreating army, maximizing casualties and disrupting their flight. The subsequent command, "suffer them not to enter into their cities," highlights the strategic objective: to prevent the enemy from reaching the safety of their fortified strongholds, which would allow them to regroup, resupply, and potentially pose a threat again. This emphasizes the goal of a complete and decisive victory.
* **"for the LORD your God hath delivered them into your hand":** This final clause provides the theological rationale and ultimate motivation for Joshua's command. The "for" (כִּי, _ki_) introduces the reason. The assurance that "the LORD your God hath delivered them into your hand" means that God has already acted decisively to grant Israel victory and control over their enemies. This is not a promise of future help, but a declaration of a past and present reality. It serves as the foundation for Israel's confidence and the impetus for their relentless and thorough pursuit; their actions are a response to God's prior, sovereign work.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several literary devices to convey its urgent and authoritative message. The most prominent is the **Imperative Mood**, seen in the series of direct commands: "stay ye not," "pursue," "smite," and "suffer them not." This creates a sense of immediate urgency and non-negotiable action, reflecting Joshua's decisive leadership. The phrase "hath delivered them into your hand" is a powerful **Idiom**, a common biblical expression that vividly communicates the complete transfer of power and control, emphasizing divine sovereignty in warfare. Furthermore, the verse uses **Causation/Rationale** with the conjunction "for" (KJV) or "because" (ESV), clearly linking the human command for relentless pursuit to the divine assurance of victory. This logical connection underscores that Israel's actions are not based on their own strength but on God's prior work. The entire passage is steeped in vivid **Military Language and Imagery**, depicting the chaos of battle, the flight of the enemy, and the strategic pursuit, drawing the reader into the intensity of the scene.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 10:19 is a profound statement on the interplay between divine sovereignty and human responsibility in the outworking of God's purposes. It teaches that God's prior deliverance and assured victory do not negate the need for human effort, obedience, and strategic action. Rather, God's promise serves as the very foundation and empowerment for Israel's relentless pursuit. The battle is indeed the Lord's, but His people are called to participate actively, leaving no room for compromise or partial victory. This principle extends beyond the battlefield, illustrating that in any sphere where God has promised victory or provided strength, believers are called to press forward decisively, trusting in His completed work.

* [Deuteronomy 20:4](/deuteronomy/20-4 "The LORD Fights for You")
* [Judges 4:14](/judges/4-14 "Deborah's Call to Battle")
* [1 Samuel 17:47](/1_samuel/17-47 "The Battle is the LORD's")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 10:19 offers powerful spiritual lessons for believers today. Just as Israel was commanded to pursue their physical enemies relentlessly, we are called to engage in spiritual warfare with similar decisiveness. When we experience breakthroughs against sin, temptation, or spiritual strongholds, this verse reminds us not to become complacent. We are not to "stay" or linger, allowing the defeated "enemy" (whether a habit, a negative thought pattern, or a spiritual attack) to regroup. Instead, we are to "pursue" holiness, "smite the hindmost" of our spiritual foes by cutting off every avenue of retreat, and "suffer them not to enter into their cities" – preventing sin from finding refuge or regaining a foothold in our lives. This relentless pursuit is not born of our own strength, but from the profound assurance that "the LORD your God hath delivered them into your hand." Our confidence for victory over sin and temptation comes from Christ's decisive victory on the cross, empowering us to live in the reality of that triumph.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in your life are you called to "pursue" relentlessly, not allowing an enemy (sin, discouragement, apathy) to regroup?**
* **How does the assurance that "the LORD your God hath delivered them into your hand" empower you to act decisively in faith against spiritual challenges?**
* **What "cities" or strongholds might you be allowing spiritual enemies to retreat into, rather than pursuing complete victory and denying them refuge?**
* **In what areas of your Christian walk might you be "staying" when God is calling you to "pursue" with greater intentionality?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse promote violence or war for believers today?**

Answer: No, this verse, like many Old Testament conquest narratives, describes a unique historical context where God commanded Israel to engage in specific military campaigns as an act of divine judgment against the inhabitants of Canaan. It is crucial to understand that Israel's role in the conquest was distinct and not a universal model for all believers or nations. For Christians today, the primary application of such passages is metaphorical, referring to spiritual warfare against sin, temptation, and the powers of darkness, as described in passages like [Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Our Struggle Against Spiritual Forces"). We are called to pursue holiness and resist evil, not to engage in physical warfare against people.

**What does "delivered them into your hand" truly mean?**

Answer: This phrase is a powerful biblical idiom signifying a complete and decisive transfer of power and control. It means that God has already acted sovereignly to grant victory and place the enemy entirely at Israel's disposal. It's not merely that God will help them fight, but that He has already, by His divine decree and power, ensured their success. This declaration serves as the ultimate guarantee and motivation for Israel's actions, assuring them that their efforts are not in vain but are the outworking of God's already accomplished will. It underscores that the victory belongs to the Lord, and human effort is a response to His prior work, as seen in [Psalm 44:3](/psalms/44-3 "Psalm 44:3 - Not by Their Own Sword").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 10:19 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as Joshua commanded a relentless pursuit grounded in God's prior deliverance, Christ, the greater Joshua, has achieved the decisive and ultimate victory over humanity's true enemies: sin, death, and the devil. On the cross, Jesus disarmed the powers and authorities, making a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by it (`/colossians/2-15`). Through His death and resurrection, He has delivered the ultimate spiritual enemy "into our hand," or more accurately, into His own conquering hand, breaking the power of him who had the power of death, that is, the devil (`/hebrews/2-14-15`). For believers, the command to "pursue" and "smite" now translates into living out the reality of this already-won victory. We are called to "stay ye not" in complacency or defeat, but to relentlessly pursue holiness and righteousness, not giving the defeated foe any foothold (`/ephesians/4-27`). Our confidence in overcoming temptation and walking in victory is not based on our own strength, but on the finished work of Christ, who has already "delivered" the enemy and guaranteed our triumph in Him. We press on, knowing that the Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil (`/1_john/3-8`).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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.