Joshua 10:32

Context of Joshua 10:32

Joshua 10:32 is part of the broader narrative of Israel's conquest of Canaan under the leadership of Joshua. Specifically, it falls within the account of Joshua's southern campaign, which was initiated in response to the Gibeonite treaty and the subsequent attack by an alliance of five Amorite kings (Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon). God miraculously intervened in this campaign, famously causing the sun and moon to stand still (Joshua 10:13) and sending large hailstones (Joshua 10:11) to aid Israel. After defeating the Amorite kings and capturing their cities, Joshua systematically moved to conquer other key cities in the region. Lachish was a significant fortified city, and its capture was crucial for securing the southern territory. The phrase "according to all that he had done to Libnah" refers to the swift and complete destruction of Libnah, detailed just two verses prior in Joshua 10:30.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Deliverance and Faithfulness: The verse explicitly states, "the LORD delivered Lachish into the hand of Israel." This underscores the central theme of the book of Joshua: God is fighting for His people and fulfilling His covenant promises to give them the land of Canaan (Deuteronomy 3:22). Israel's success was not due to their own strength alone but to God's active intervention.
• Obedience and Conquest: Israel's adherence to God's commands regarding the conquest, including the severe judgment on the Canaanites, was directly linked to their victories. The swiftness of the conquest ("took it on the second day") highlights the efficiency God granted when Israel was obedient.
• Total Destruction (Herem): The phrase "smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein" points to the practice of herem, or utter destruction, which was a specific divine command for the Canaanite cities. This was a judgment against the extreme wickedness and idolatry of the inhabitants and served to prevent Israel from being corrupted by their practices.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew term behind "smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein" is related to the concept of herem (חרם), which means "devoted to destruction" or "utterly destroy." This was not ordinary warfare but a specific act of divine judgment. In the context of the Canaanite conquest, it signified that everything, including people and possessions, was to be completely destroyed or set apart for God in a way that rendered it unusable by Israel. This command served to cleanse the land of its egregious sin and prevent the Israelites from adopting the idolatrous and immoral practices of the native inhabitants (Deuteronomy 20:16-18).

Practical Application

While the specific command for herem is unique to the conquest of Canaan, the principles behind Joshua 10:32 offer enduring lessons:

• Trust in God's Deliverance: We are reminded that God is faithful to deliver His people in their battles, whether spiritual or literal. Our victories ultimately come from Him.
• Dealing with Sin: The severity of the judgment on Lachish highlights God's absolute holiness and His stance against deep-seated sin and spiritual rebellion. For believers today, this can be applied to the need to utterly destroy sinful patterns and influences in our lives that could lead us astray from God, rather than allowing them to linger and corrupt us (Colossians 3:5).
• God's Justice: This passage, though difficult for modern readers, also speaks to God's just nature. The Canaanites had a long history of extreme wickedness, and this conquest was a long-deferred judgment.