Joshua 10:20

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass, when Joshua {H3091} and the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} had made an end {H3615} of slaying {H5221} them with a very {H3966} great {H1419} slaughter {H4347}, till they were consumed {H8552}, that the rest {H8300} which remained {H8277} of them entered {H935} into fenced {H4013} cities {H5892}.

Complete Jewish Bible

After Y'hoshua and the people of Isra'el had finished killing them off in a very great slaughter, till they had been destroyed, and the remaining remnant had entered the fortified cities,

Berean Standard Bible

So Joshua and the Israelites continued to inflict a terrible slaughter until they had finished them off, and the remaining survivors retreated to the fortified cities.

American Standard Version

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, and the remnant which remained of them had entered into the fortified cities,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 10:20 serves as a pivotal summary statement following the miraculous victory over the Amorite coalition, highlighting the extensive and devastating defeat inflicted upon the enemy forces by Joshua and the Israelites. While emphasizing the near-total annihilation of the Amorite armies in open battle, the verse also realistically acknowledges that a remnant escaped the immediate slaughter, seeking refuge in fortified urban centers. This detail sets the stage for the continued, protracted struggle for the complete possession of the promised land, underscoring both the divine power at work and the ongoing human responsibility in the conquest.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the dramatic account of God's supernatural intervention in the battle against the five Amorite kings (Joshua 10:1-19). Having responded to the Gibeonites' plea for help (Joshua 9), Joshua leads Israel into a decisive engagement. The preceding verses detail the miraculous hailstones, the sun and moon standing still, and the relentless pursuit of the fleeing enemy. Joshua 10:16-19 describes the capture and execution of the five kings, symbolizing the breaking of the enemy's leadership. Verse 20, therefore, functions as a concluding summary of the field battle's outcome, transitioning the narrative from the open pursuit and slaughter to the subsequent phase of reducing fortified cities, which is further detailed in Joshua 10:28-43. It marks the end of the initial, overwhelming rout and the beginning of the mopping-up operations.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The conquest of Canaan occurred within a broader geopolitical landscape of the Late Bronze Age, where city-states were the dominant political units, often forming temporary alliances for defense or aggression. Fortified cities were the primary centers of power, population, and defense, characterized by massive walls, gates, and internal citadels. The Amorites mentioned here were a prominent people group in the region, part of the broader Canaanite population that God had condemned for their idolatry and wickedness (cf. [Genesis 15:16](/genesis/15-16 "Genesis 15:16 - The Iniquity of the Amorites")). The practice of "slaying them with a very great slaughter" reflects the ancient Near Eastern concept of "holy war" or *herem*, where enemies were devoted to utter destruction as an act of divine judgment and purification of the land. This was not merely human warfare but the execution of God's covenantal judgment against peoples whose "iniquity was not yet complete" (Genesis 15:16) but had now reached its full measure.
* **Key Themes:** Joshua 10:20 powerfully reinforces several key themes found throughout the book of Joshua. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Aid**, as the "very great slaughter" was only possible through God's miraculous intervention, allowing Israel to achieve a victory far beyond their natural military capability (cf. [Joshua 10:14](/joshua/10-14 "Joshua 10:14 - The Lord Fought for Israel")). Secondly, it underscores the theme of **God's Judgment on Canaan**, fulfilling ancient promises and enacting the long-delayed divine wrath against the depraved inhabitants of the land (cf. [Deuteronomy 9:5](/deuteronomy/9-5 "Deuteronomy 9:5 - God's Judgment on Wicked Nations")). Thirdly, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **Incomplete Conquest and Ongoing Struggle**. While the victory was "very great" and the enemy "consumed" in the open field, the escape of a remnant to "fenced cities" foreshadows the protracted and sometimes incomplete nature of the conquest, a challenge that would persist into the period of the Judges (cf. [Judges 1:21](/judges/1-21 "Judges 1:21 - Incomplete Conquest of Jerusalem")). This tension between decisive victory and remaining strongholds is a crucial narrative element in Joshua.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Slaughter (Hebrew, מַכָּה - _makkah_):** This noun denotes a "blow," "stroke," or "defeat." When combined with "great" (גְדוֹלָה - _gedolah_) and "very" (מְאֹד - _me'od_), as in "very great slaughter" (מַכָּה גְדוֹלָה מְאֹד - _makkah gedolah me'od_), it emphasizes the immense scale and decisiveness of the victory. It signifies not just a military defeat, but a crushing, overwhelming blow, often implying divine agency in the context of biblical warfare. The term itself carries the weight of a divinely orchestrated judgment.
* **Consumed (Hebrew, תָּמָּם - _tamam_):** The verb _tamam_ means "to be complete," "to be finished," "to be brought to an end," or "to be exhausted." In this context, "till they were consumed" indicates that the process of slaying continued until the enemy forces were effectively wiped out or utterly exhausted in the open field, signifying a near-total annihilation of the Amorite army as a fighting unit in that specific engagement. It conveys the thoroughness of the pursuit and destruction.
* **Fenced Cities (Hebrew, עָרִים בְּצֻרוֹת - _'arim betsurah_):** This phrase refers to "cities fortified" or "strong cities." The Hebrew adjective _betsurah_ (from the root בָּצַר - _batsar_, "to cut off," "to fortify") describes cities that were walled and well-defended, designed to withstand siege. The fact that the remnants sought refuge in these strongholds indicates a strategic withdrawal to prepared defenses, highlighting the continued challenge Israel would face in fully dispossessing the land's inhabitants.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass, when Joshua and the children of Israel had made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter":** This opening clause emphasizes the human agency of Joshua and the Israelites in the battle, but crucially links it to the divine power described in the preceding verses. The phrase "made an end of slaying them" signifies the completion of the active pursuit and killing phase of the battle, while "with a very great slaughter" underscores the immense scale and devastating effectiveness of Israel's military action, empowered by God.
* **"till they were consumed":** This phrase further elaborates on the extent of the slaughter, indicating that the killing continued until the enemy forces were utterly depleted or annihilated in the open field. It highlights the thoroughness of the victory, leaving virtually no active fighting force remaining from the Amorite coalition in that immediate engagement.
* **"that the rest [which] remained of them entered into fenced cities":** This final clause provides a crucial nuance to the otherwise absolute description of victory. Despite the "very great slaughter" and the enemy being "consumed," a "rest" or remnant managed to escape. Their destination, "fenced cities," indicates a strategic retreat to fortified strongholds, signaling that while the field army was destroyed, the conflict was far from over. This detail introduces the ongoing challenge of the conquest, moving from open battle to siege warfare.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 10:20 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its message. **Hyperbole** is evident in the phrase "very great slaughter" and "till they were consumed," which, while describing a truly devastating defeat, uses language that emphasizes the overwhelming nature of the victory. This hyperbole serves to magnify God's power and the thoroughness of His judgment. There is also a clear **Contrast** presented within the verse: the absolute destruction of the enemy in the open field is juxtaposed with the escape of a remnant to fortified cities. This contrast highlights both the decisive nature of God's immediate judgment and the reality of an ongoing, albeit changed, conflict. Finally, the verse functions as a moment of **Narrative Progression**, transitioning the story from the dramatic open-field battle to the subsequent phase of the conquest, which involves the reduction of fortified strongholds. This subtle shift prepares the reader for the next set of challenges faced by Israel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 10:20 is a powerful testament to God's faithfulness in delivering His people and executing His judgment upon the wicked. The "very great slaughter" is not merely a military triumph but a direct fulfillment of God's promise to give the land to Israel and to drive out its inhabitants due to their iniquity. This act of divine judgment, though severe, underscores God's holiness and His commitment to His covenant. However, the verse also realistically portrays the challenges of the conquest, with remnants escaping to fortified cities. This detail serves as a theological reminder that while God grants decisive victories, the full realization of His promises often involves ongoing human effort and vigilance against remaining strongholds of evil, whether literal or spiritual. It teaches that even after significant breakthroughs, there can be lingering resistance that requires continued reliance on God and persistent obedience.

* [Deuteronomy 7:1-2](/deuteronomy/7-1 "Deuteronomy 7:1-2 - Command to Destroy the Nations")
* [Numbers 33:55](/numbers/33-55 "Numbers 33:55 - Consequences of Incomplete Conquest")
* [Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Spiritual Warfare")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 10:20 offers profound insights for the believer today. Just as God fought for Israel, enabling a "very great slaughter" against formidable foes, He continues to fight on behalf of His people in their spiritual battles. This verse reminds us that decisive victories over sin and spiritual strongholds are possible through God's power, not merely human effort. However, the escape of a "remnant" to "fenced cities" serves as a crucial caution: even after significant spiritual breakthroughs or personal victories, there may remain areas of our lives or aspects of our spiritual walk that are not fully yielded to Christ. These "fenced cities" can represent persistent sinful habits, unaddressed strongholds of unbelief, or areas where we have not fully applied God's truth. The call to us, therefore, is not only to celebrate the great victories God gives but also to remain vigilant, pursuing complete obedience and allowing God to conquer every remaining stronghold in our lives, trusting that He will equip us for the ongoing process of sanctification.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in my life have I experienced a "very great slaughter" of sin or a spiritual breakthrough, yet still see "fenced cities" of lingering strongholds?**
* **How does the thoroughness of Israel's pursuit in this battle inspire me to be more diligent in dealing with sin and spiritual enemies in my own life?**
* **What "fenced cities" might I be neglecting, and how can I invite God to help me conquer them through prayer, repentance, and obedience?**

### FAQ
**Was the conquest of Canaan a complete genocide, given the "very great slaughter" described?**

Answer: The language of "very great slaughter" and "consumed" in Joshua 10:20 describes the devastating defeat of the Amorite armies in open battle, consistent with the ancient Near Eastern concept of *herem* or "holy war," where enemies were devoted to destruction as an act of divine judgment. However, the verse itself clarifies that "the rest [which] remained of them entered into fenced cities," indicating that not all inhabitants were annihilated in this particular engagement. The book of Joshua, and especially Judges, frequently mentions that various Canaanite groups and cities were not fully dispossessed (e.g., [Judges 1:21-36](/judges/1-21 "Judges 1:21-36 - Incomplete Conquests")). The theological purpose of the conquest was primarily to remove the corrupting influence of Canaanite idolatry and practices to establish a holy nation for God, not necessarily to achieve a total demographic annihilation of every individual. The biblical narrative presents a complex picture of both extensive judgment and incomplete conquest, emphasizing God's command for thoroughness while also acknowledging human limitations and partial obedience.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 10:20, with its depiction of a "very great slaughter" and the subsequent retreat of a "remnant" to "fenced cities," powerfully foreshadows the ultimate spiritual conquest achieved by Jesus Christ and the ongoing nature of the Christian life. Jesus, as the true and greater Joshua, decisively defeated the principalities and powers of darkness through His death and resurrection, achieving a "very great slaughter" of sin and death (cf. [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). His victory on the cross "consumed" the power of sin, making a way for reconciliation with God. However, just as a remnant escaped to "fenced cities" in Joshua's day, so too does evil persist in the world, and within the hearts of believers, as "strongholds" (cf. [2 Corinthians 10:4-5](/2_corinthians/10-4 "2 Corinthians 10:4-5 - Pulling Down Strongholds")). The Christian life is therefore a participation in Christ's already-won victory, a process of progressively dismantling these remaining "fenced cities" of sin and unbelief through the power of the Holy Spirit, until the final consummation when Christ returns to fully establish His kingdom and every enemy is put under His feet (cf. [1 Corinthians 15:25-26](/1_corinthians/15-25 "1 Corinthians 15:25-26 - Christ's Reign and Final Victory")). Joshua 10:20 thus points to the comprehensive nature of Christ's triumph and the ongoing spiritual warfare believers are called to engage in, relying on His perfect victory.

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

Joshua 8:24

And it came to pass, when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness wherein they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword, until they were consumed, that all the Israelites returned unto Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword.

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.

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.

Deuteronomy 20:16

But of the cities of these people, which the LORD thy God doth give thee [for] an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth:

Joshua 10:10

And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah.

2 Chronicles 13:17

And Abijah and his people slew them with a great slaughter: so there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men.