Joshua 10:31

KJV

And Joshua passed from Libnah, and all Israel with him, unto Lachish, and encamped against it, and fought against it:

KJV (with Strong's)

And Joshua {H3091} passed {H5674} from Libnah {H3841}, and all Israel {H3478} with him, unto Lachish {H3923}, and encamped {H2583} against it, and fought {H3898} against it:

Complete Jewish Bible

Y'hoshua went on from Livnah, and all Isra'el with him, to Lakhish; and he pitched camp against it and fought against it.

Berean Standard Bible

And Joshua and all Israel with him moved on from Libnah to Lachish. They laid siege to it and fought against it.

American Standard Version

And Joshua passed from Libnah, and all Israel with him, unto Lachish, and encamped against it, and fought against it:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 10:31 chronicles a critical phase in Israel's southern campaign, depicting Joshua's strategic and immediate advance from the recently conquered city of Libnah to the formidable Canaanite stronghold of Lachish. This verse succinctly captures the relentless momentum of the Israelite conquest, highlighting their disciplined movement, the establishment of a siege, and the initiation of combat, all under divine mandate, as they pressed deeper into the Promised Land to dispossess its inhabitants and fulfill God's covenant promises.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically positioned within the rapid and decisive southern campaign of the Israelite conquest, immediately following the miraculous intervention at Gibeon, where God supernaturally aided Israel against the coalition of five Amorite kings, causing the sun and moon to stand still ([Joshua 10:10-14](/joshua/10-10-14 "Joshua 10:10-14 - God Fights for Israel at Gibeon")). The preceding verses detail the swift and total destruction of Makkedah ([Joshua 10:28](/joshua/10-28 "Joshua 10:28 - Fall of Makkedah")) and Libnah ([Joshua 10:29-30](/joshua/10-29-30 "Joshua 10:29-30 - Fall of Libnah")), establishing a consistent pattern of relentless pursuit and complete obedience to God's command for *cherem* (devotion to destruction). Joshua 10:31 thus serves as a pivotal transition point, setting the stage for the next major engagement against one of the most significant Canaanite city-states, demonstrating the unyielding momentum of the divinely empowered advance and the methodical nature of the conquest.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Lachish was one of the most prominent and heavily fortified city-states in the Shephelah, the lowlands of Judah. Archaeological excavations at Tel Lachish confirm its immense size, formidable defenses (including a double wall system and a massive gate complex), and its strategic importance as a regional administrative and military center controlling vital trade routes connecting the coastal plain to the Judean hills. Its conquest was not merely another battle but a critical blow to Canaanite power in the south, demonstrating Israel's ability to overcome even the most formidable strongholds. The Israelite conquest itself was a unique historical event, understood biblically as the fulfillment of God's covenant promises to Abraham regarding the land ([Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - Promise of Land to Abraham")) and the execution of divine judgment against the idolatrous, morally corrupt, and violent Canaanite nations, whose "iniquity was not yet complete" until this time ([Genesis 15:16](/genesis/15-16 "Genesis 15:16 - Amorite Iniquity Not Yet Complete")).
* **Key Themes:** Joshua 10:31 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Joshua and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Mandate and Obedience**, as Joshua's actions are in direct fulfillment of God's command to dispossess the Canaanite nations and take possession of the land, echoing the instructions given in [Numbers 33:50-53](/numbers/33-50-53 "Numbers 33:50-53 - Command to Drive Out Inhabitants"). Secondly, the verse exemplifies the **Relentless Conquest** and the divinely empowered momentum of Israel's campaign; the rapid succession of victories (Makkedah, Libnah, now Lachish) highlights God's active hand in fighting for Israel, a promise reiterated throughout Joshua, such as in [Joshua 23:10](/joshua/23-10 "Joshua 23:10 - God Fights for Israel"). Finally, the targeting of Lachish emphasizes its **Strategic Importance** and the sound military strategy guided by divine leading, crucial for securing Israel's hold on the southern territories and fulfilling the promise of a land flowing with milk and honey, a land of rest for God's people ([Deuteronomy 12:10](/deuteronomy/12-10 "Deuteronomy 12:10 - Rest in the Land")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **passed (Hebrew, _ʻâbar'_):** This verb signifies movement, transition, or crossing over. In this context, it denotes a deliberate, purposeful movement of the entire Israelite army from one location (Libnah) to another (Lachish). It indicates a strategic progression in the military campaign, emphasizing a continuation of the divinely ordained mission rather than a random or aimless wandering. It implies overcoming obstacles to reach the next objective.
* **encamped (Hebrew, _chânâh'_):** This term is a military technical verb meaning "to pitch a tent," "to encamp," or "to lay siege." It implies a methodical and organized establishment of a military position, indicating that Israel was not merely passing through Lachish but was intentionally setting up a base of operations for a sustained assault or siege. This signals a prepared, determined, and disciplined engagement, characteristic of a professional army.
* **fought (Hebrew, _lâcham'_):** This verb means "to fight," "to wage war," or "to do battle." It conveys active, direct, and engaged conflict. Its inclusion emphasizes that the encounter with Lachish was not a passive occupation or a surrender, but a fierce, confrontational struggle. This highlights the physical effort, danger, and direct engagement involved in fulfilling the divine mandate, underscoring the reality of warfare.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Joshua passed from Libnah, and all Israel with him, unto Lachish":** This clause describes the strategic and unified movement of the entire Israelite army, under the direct and decisive leadership of Joshua. They transition from a recently conquered city (Libnah), where they had just achieved a significant victory, to a new, formidable target (Lachish). The phrase "all Israel with him" emphasizes the national unity and collective participation in the conquest, underscoring that this was a divinely led national endeavor, not merely a personal campaign by Joshua.
* **"and encamped against it":** Upon arrival at Lachish, the immediate and deliberate action taken was to establish a military camp around the city. This signifies the commencement of siege operations, a methodical and strategic approach to warfare against a fortified city. It indicates that the Israelites were prepared for a sustained engagement, not a quick skirmish, demonstrating their military discipline, strategic intent, and commitment to overcoming this significant stronghold.
* **"and fought against it":** This final clause indicates the initiation of direct combat or the active phase of the siege. It confirms that the encampment was not merely a defensive posture but a prelude to an offensive assault. This phrase underscores the physical reality of the conquest, where divine power worked in conjunction with Israel's active participation in battle, requiring courage, effort, and perseverance from the Israelite soldiers.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its message efficiently and powerfully. **Conciseness** is evident in the compact phrasing that packs significant action—movement, preparation, and engagement—into a single, declarative sentence. The consistent use of **Military Terminology** like "passed," "encamped," and "fought" immediately establishes the context of warfare and highlights the disciplined and strategic nature of Israel's campaign. There is a clear **Progression** in the actions described: moving to a location, then setting up camp, then initiating battle, which mirrors the systematic and relentless advance of the Israelite army. The repetition of the prepositional phrase "against it" in "encamped against it, and fought against it" creates a strong sense of **Parallelism** and reinforces the direct, confrontational nature of the encounter, emphasizing Israel's focused intent on conquering Lachish. This repetition also builds a sense of inevitability regarding the city's fate.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 10:31 is a profound testament to God's unwavering faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Israel, demonstrating that the land promised to their forefathers was being progressively secured through divine empowerment and Israel's obedient action. The relentless pursuit of conquest, moving from one stronghold to the next, is not merely a military narrative but a theological one, illustrating God's active involvement in dispossessing the Canaanite nations as an act of righteous judgment against their pervasive wickedness and a means of establishing His chosen people in the land of promise. This verse underscores the crucial principle that God's sovereign promises often require human participation, diligent effort, and faithful obedience, as Joshua and Israel actively "passed," "encamped," and "fought" in direct response to God's clear command and leading.

* [Deuteronomy 7:1-2](/deuteronomy/7-1-2 "Deuteronomy 7:1-2 - Command to Dispossess Nations")
* [Joshua 1:3-5](/joshua/1-3-5 "Joshua 1:3-5 - Promise of Land and Presence to Joshua")
* [Numbers 33:50-53](/numbers/33-50-53 "Numbers 33:50-53 - Instructions for Taking the Land")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 10:31, while detailing an ancient military campaign, offers profound and enduring principles for contemporary spiritual life. Just as Joshua and Israel pressed on from one victory to the next, refusing to settle after partial successes, we are called to cultivate a spirit of perseverance and relentless pursuit in our faith journey. This means not becoming complacent after small victories but actively pressing forward into God's full purposes for our lives. The strategic movement and immediate engagement against Lachish remind us that spiritual growth and overcoming personal strongholds often require intentionality, disciplined effort, and direct confrontation rather than passive waiting or avoidance. We are called to "encamp against" and "fight" the spiritual battles we face—whether against temptation, doubt, or apathy—trusting that God's power enables us to overcome. This verse encourages us to combine unwavering faith in God's promises with diligent, strategic action in our pursuit of righteousness, holiness, and the fulfillment of our divine calling.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Joshua's immediate and strategic action against Lachish inspire us to confront spiritual strongholds or persistent sins in our own lives rather than avoiding them?**
* **In what areas of your life are you called to "pass from" a previous victory or comfort zone and "encamp against" a new challenge, trusting God's leading and actively engaging?**
* **What "Lachish" (a formidable obstacle, area of resistance, or spiritual battle) might God be calling you to actively engage with in your spiritual journey, relying on His strength and not your own?**

### FAQ
**Why was Lachish so important for Joshua to conquer?**

Answer: Lachish was critically important for Joshua to conquer because it was one of the largest, most powerful, and heavily fortified Canaanite city-states in the Shephelah, the lowlands of Judah. Its strategic location controlled major trade routes and served as a regional administrative and military hub. Its fall would signify a major blow to Canaanite resistance in the southern region, effectively breaking their power base and securing Israel's strategic control over a vital part of the Promised Land. This was essential for fulfilling God's command to dispossess the inhabitants and establish Israel securely in the land, as outlined in passages like [Deuteronomy 9:4-5](/deuteronomy/9-4-5 "Deuteronomy 9:4-5 - Dispossession for Wickedness").

**Does this verse imply that Israel's conquest was easy or without resistance?**

Answer: No, quite the opposite. The phrase "and fought against it" explicitly indicates that the conquest of Lachish involved direct, active, and likely fierce combat. While God miraculously intervened to grant victory (as seen in the earlier account of the sun standing still in [Joshua 10:10-14](/joshua/10-10-14 "Joshua 10:10-14 - God Fights for Israel")), the Israelites were still required to engage in physical warfare, demonstrating courage, discipline, and perseverance. The subsequent verses detailing the intense siege and the complete destruction of Lachish ([Joshua 10:32](/joshua/10-32 "Joshua 10:32 - Fall of Lachish")) further underscore that these were not effortless victories but hard-fought battles, with God empowering His people through their obedience and active participation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua's relentless advance against the strongholds of Canaan, culminating in the strategic move against Lachish, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate conquest achieved by Jesus Christ. Just as Joshua led Israel into the physical land, overcoming formidable earthly enemies, Christ, our greater Joshua, leads His people into a spiritual inheritance and victory over far greater foes: sin, death, and the spiritual forces of evil ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). The "rest" that Israel sought in the land, though imperfectly realized and temporary, points to the true and eternal rest found in Christ for all who believe and enter His finished work ([Hebrews 4:8-10](/hebrews/4-8-10 "Hebrews 4:8-10 - The True Sabbath Rest")). Our spiritual warfare, unlike Israel's physical battles, is "not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" ([Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Spiritual Warfare")). Yet, like Joshua, we are called to actively engage, not in our own strength, but by relying on the power of Christ, who has already disarmed these powers and made a public spectacle of them through His cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). Thus, Joshua 10:31, with its depiction of strategic advance and decisive engagement, provides a rich Old Testament type of Christ's triumph over all spiritual strongholds, enabling believers to live in the freedom and victory secured by His finished work.

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 10:3

Wherefore Adonizedek king of Jerusalem sent unto Hoham king of Hebron, and unto Piram king of Jarmuth, and unto Japhia king of Lachish, and unto Debir king of Eglon, saying,

2 Kings 19:8

¶ So Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah: for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish.

2 Chronicles 11:9

And Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah,

Joshua 15:39

Lachish, and Bozkath, and Eglon,

Joshua 10:5

Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it.

Micah 1:13

O thou inhabitant of Lachish, bind the chariot to the swift beast: she [is] the beginning of the sin to the daughter of Zion: for the transgressions of Israel were found in thee.

Joshua 12:11

The king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one;