What number verse is Joshua 10:33 in the Bible?

Joshua 10:33 is the 6,098th verse of the Bible. Counting straight through the King James canon — all 31,102 verses from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 — Joshua 10:33 sits at position 6,098.

10:3210:32

Joshua 10:33

Q: Why was such extreme violence, like "leaving none remaining," commanded by God in the conquest of Canaan?

The command to "leave none remaining" (the *cherem* or "devotion to destruction") in the conquest of Canaan was a unique, specific, and time-bound divine judgment, not a general command for all warfare. It was God's righteous judgment against the extreme moral depravity of the Canaanite nations, which included widespread idolatry, child sacrifice, and various sexual perversions, as detailed in Leviticus 18:24-28. God had given them centuries to repent, but their wickedness had reached a point where the land itself was said to "vomit them out." The complete destruction was also necessary to prevent the Israelites from being corrupted by these pagan practices and to preserve the purity of their worship of the one true God. It was a severe surgical act to cleanse the land for the establishment of a holy nation, not a model for all human conflict. As Deuteronomy 9:4-5 clarifies, Israel's success was not due to their righteousness but to the profound wickedness of the nations God was dispossessing.

10:3410:34

Translation

King James Version

Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish; and Joshua smote him and his people, until he had left him none remaining.

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KJV (with Strong's)

Then Horam ^H2036 king ^H4428 of Gezer ^H1507 came up ^H5927 to help ^H5826 Lachish ^H3923; and Joshua ^H3091 smote ^H5221 him and his people ^H5971, until he had left ^H7604 him none remaining ^H8300.

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Complete Jewish Bible

But then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lakhish; so Y'hoshua attacked him and his people, until he had no one left with him.

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Berean Standard Bible

At that time Horam king of Gezer went to help Lachish, but Joshua struck him down along with his people, leaving no survivors.

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American Standard Version

Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish; and Joshua smote him and his people, until he had left him none remaining.

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World English Bible Messianic

Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish; and Joshua struck him and his people, until he had left him no one remaining.

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Geneva Bible (1599)

Then Horam King of Gezer came vp to helpe Lachish: but Ioshua smote him and his people, vntill none of his remained.

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Young's Literal Translation

Than hath Horam king of Gezer come up to help Lachish, and Joshua smiteth him and his people, till he hath not left to him a remnant.

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Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Joshua 10:33 records a pivotal moment in the Israelite conquest of Canaan, detailing the swift and absolute defeat of King Horam of Gezer and his forces. This intervention occurred as Horam attempted to provide military assistance to Lachish, a formidable Canaanite stronghold then under siege by Joshua's army. The verse powerfully underscores the overwhelming might and divine backing that enabled Israel to execute God's righteous judgment upon the Canaanite nations, leaving no resistance remaining and ensuring the complete fulfillment of His covenant promises.

CONTEXT

Literary Context: Joshua 10:33 is strategically placed within the broader narrative of Joshua's southern campaign, a period of intense military engagements immediately following the miraculous victory at Gibeon against a coalition of five Amorite kings, as recounted in Joshua 10:1-15. After pursuing and executing the captured kings at Makkedah, Joshua systematically moved to conquer key Canaanite city-states in the Shephelah and southern hill country. Lachish was a strategically vital fortress city, controlling major trade routes and access to the southern plains, making its fall a significant blow to Canaanite resistance. Horam's attempt to relieve Lachish, though ultimately futile, highlights the desperate, albeit often uncoordinated, efforts of the Canaanite kings to halt the Israelite advance, demonstrating the widespread impact and relentless nature of Joshua's campaign across the region.
Historical & Cultural Context: The period of the Israelite conquest, typically dated to the Late Bronze Age (c. 1550-1200 BCE), was characterized by a geopolitical landscape composed of numerous independent Canaanite city-states, each ruled by its own king. These city-states frequently formed temporary alliances for mutual defense against external threats. Lachish was indeed one of the most powerful and heavily fortified cities in the region, a fact corroborated by extensive archaeological findings that reveal its massive fortifications and strategic importance. Gezer, located to the north-west of Lachish, was also a significant city-state, and King Horam's decision to intervene reflects a perceived common threat from the invading Israelites. The command to "leave him none remaining" is a direct reference to the cherem (devotion to destruction) command, a unique directive for the conquest of Canaan rooted in God's specific judgment against the profound idolatry, child sacrifice, and pervasive moral depravity of these nations, as detailed in Leviticus 18:24-28. This practice ensured the complete disinheritance of the Canaanites and prevented their pagan practices from corrupting the nascent nation of Israel.
Key Themes: This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes woven throughout the book of Joshua. Firstly, it underscores the theme of Divine Sovereignty and Israel's Success, demonstrating unequivocally that Israel's triumphs were not merely a result of their own military prowess but were fundamentally due to God's active intervention, empowerment, and direct fulfillment of His ancient promises to Abraham regarding the land. Secondly, the phrase "until he had left him none remaining" exemplifies the theme of Total Dispossession and Righteous Judgment, portraying a severe and complete divine judgment against the deep-seated wickedness of the Canaanite nations, as explicitly commanded by God in Deuteronomy 20:16-18. Lastly, King Horam's failed attempt to aid Lachish highlights the Futility of Resistance against God's determined will. Despite their combined efforts and formidable fortresses, the Canaanite kings were ultimately powerless against the divinely-empowered Israelite army, illustrating that no human force, however strong, can thwart God's sovereign and immutable plan.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

smote (Hebrew, נָכָה, nâkâh', H5221): This primitive root verb is frequently used in the Old Testament to describe striking, beating, or inflicting a decisive blow, often with lethal intent. In the context of warfare, as here, it conveys a powerful and conclusive defeat. The use of nâkâh emphasizes the absolute nature of Joshua's victory over Horam and his forces, indicating a complete rout and destruction rather than a mere skirmish or repulse.
remaining (Hebrew, שָׂרִיד, sârîyd', H8300): Derived from a root meaning "to survive," this noun refers to a survivor or that which is left over. When used in the negative, as in "none remaining," it signifies utter annihilation or complete destruction, indicating that no one survived the conflict. In the context of the cherem (devotion to destruction) command against the Canaanites, it implies that no survivors were left to continue the lineage or resistance, thereby ensuring the complete disinheritance of the land's previous inhabitants and preventing their pagan influence from corrupting Israel.

Verse Breakdown

"Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish": This initial clause introduces an unexpected military intervention. Gezer was a significant city-state located northwest of Lachish, suggesting a broader Canaanite alliance or at least a desperate attempt at mutual aid in the face of the overwhelming Israelite threat. Horam's decision to "come up" implies a movement from Gezer's lower elevation to the higher ground of Lachish, or simply an advance towards the battlefront, demonstrating solidarity with a besieged ally. This act underscores the widespread panic and attempts at coordinated defense among the Canaanite city-states.
"and Joshua smote him and his people": This concise phrase highlights the swift and decisive nature of the Israelite victory. Joshua, acting as God's chosen instrument and military commander, engaged Horam's relief force and utterly defeated them. The direct focus on Joshua's action implies divine empowerment behind his military prowess, emphasizing that the victory was not merely human but divinely orchestrated. The defeat of Horam's forces was not a partial victory but a complete overthrow, demonstrating the irresistible force of God's army.
"until he had left him none remaining": This concluding phrase emphasizes the totality of the victory and the completeness of the judgment. It signifies a complete annihilation of Horam's fighting force, consistent with the cherem command given for the conquest of Canaan. This was not a partial victory but a comprehensive and final destruction of the enemy, ensuring that no further resistance or threat would emerge from this particular contingent. It powerfully underscores the severity of God's righteous judgment being executed through Joshua, leaving no survivors to perpetuate Canaanite idolatry or challenge Israel's inheritance.

Literary Devices

The verse employs remarkable Narrative Economy, conveying a significant military engagement and its decisive outcome with striking brevity, focusing intently on the essential actions and their finality. The concluding phrase, "until he had left him none remaining," functions as both Hyperbole and Intensification, powerfully emphasizing the absolute nature of the defeat and the completeness of the divine judgment. While the cherem command might not always imply the literal death of every single individual in all instances, it unequivocally communicates the utter cessation of the enemy's power, identity, and ability to resist. This serves to underscore the Divine Power at work through Joshua, making the Israelite victory seem not merely successful but inevitable and irresistible. The swiftness of the action also contributes to a sense of Dramatic Irony, as Horam's attempt to "help" his ally results in his own complete destruction, highlighting the profound futility of opposing God's sovereign plan.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Joshua 10:33 serves as a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises and His righteous judgment upon sin. The complete destruction of King Horam and his people at Lachish is not merely a historical military account but a profound theological statement. It demonstrates that God is sovereign over all nations and that His purposes, once declared, cannot be thwarted by human resistance. This event illustrates the unique nature of the conquest of Canaan as a divine judgment, where the land's inhabitants were dispossessed due to their profound moral corruption and idolatry. The severity of the judgment underscores God's holiness and His intolerance for wickedness, while simultaneously affirming His commitment to establishing His people in the promised land, free from corrupting influences, thereby preserving the lineage through which the Messiah would come.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

While the historical context of the Israelite conquest involves unique commands for holy war that are not directly applicable to believers today in a physical sense, Joshua 10:33 offers enduring spiritual principles for our lives. It serves as a stark reminder of the certainty of God's purposes and the ultimate futility of resisting His sovereign will. Just as Horam's efforts to thwart God's plan for Israel's inheritance were met with complete defeat, so too are all attempts to defy God's truth or to live outside of His design for our lives. For the Christian, this passage can metaphorically symbolize the imperative for decisive and complete action against sin in our lives. Any area of rebellion, compromise, or spiritual stronghold that hinders our relationship with God must be confronted and "smitten," leaving "none remaining" of its power or influence. It reinforces the profound truth that when God calls us to a task, whether it's overcoming a personal struggle, pursuing holiness, or engaging in spiritual warfare against the forces of darkness, He provides the necessary strength, wisdom, and means for its complete accomplishment, much like He empowered Joshua to fulfill his mission of securing the promised land. Our victory is assured when we align with His will and rely on His strength.

Questions for Reflection

How does the completeness of God's judgment in this passage deepen our understanding of His holiness, justice, and the seriousness of sin?
In what subtle or overt areas of our lives might we be resisting God's sovereign will or His call to obedience, much like Horam resisted Joshua?
What "strongholds" or persistent patterns of sin in our lives need to be utterly "smitten" and "left none remaining" through Christ's transformative power and the guidance of the Holy Spirit?

FAQ

Why was such extreme violence, like "leaving none remaining," commanded by God in the conquest of Canaan?

Answer: The command to "leave none remaining" (the cherem or "devotion to destruction") in the conquest of Canaan was a unique, specific, and time-bound divine judgment, not a general command for all warfare. It was God's righteous judgment against the extreme moral depravity of the Canaanite nations, which included widespread idolatry, child sacrifice, and various sexual perversions, as detailed in Leviticus 18:24-28. God had given them centuries to repent, but their wickedness had reached a point where the land itself was said to "vomit them out." The complete destruction was also necessary to prevent the Israelites from being corrupted by these pagan practices and to preserve the purity of their worship of the one true God. It was a severe surgical act to cleanse the land for the establishment of a holy nation, not a model for all human conflict. As Deuteronomy 9:4-5 clarifies, Israel's success was not due to their righteousness but to the profound wickedness of the nations God was dispossessing.

What was the strategic significance of Gezer and Lachish in this conflict?

Answer: Lachish was one of the most important and heavily fortified cities in the southern Levant during the Late Bronze Age, controlling vital trade routes and acting as a regional administrative center. Its capture by Joshua was a major strategic victory, signaling the collapse of Canaanite resistance in the Shephelah. Gezer, located further north and west, was also a significant city-state, known for its strategic location at the crossroads of major ancient highways. King Horam's decision to "come up to help Lachish" demonstrates the desperate attempts of Canaanite city-states to form alliances and provide mutual aid against the overwhelming Israelite invasion. His intervention, though ultimately futile, highlights the widespread fear and the perceived existential threat that Joshua's campaign posed to the entire Canaanite system of independent city-states, underscoring the strategic importance of these cities in the overall conquest narrative.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Joshua 10:33, while depicting a historical military conquest, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Joshua, whose very name is the Hebrew equivalent of Jesus, serves as a powerful type of Christ, leading God's people into their promised inheritance and decisively defeating their spiritual enemies. Just as Joshua "smote" Horam and his people, leaving "none remaining" of their resistance, so too did Christ decisively conquer the ultimate spiritual enemies of humanity: sin, death, and the devil. His victory on the cross and subsequent resurrection was a complete and final triumph over the powers of darkness, utterly disarming them and making a public spectacle of them (Colossians 2:15). Where Joshua's conquest was physical and earthly, establishing an earthly kingdom, Christ's is spiritual and eternal, establishing a new covenant and ushering in a kingdom not of this world (John 18:36). He came to "destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8) and to cast out the "ruler of this world" (John 12:31), leaving "none remaining" of their power to condemn or enslave those who are in Him. The "rest" that Joshua provided was partial and temporary; Christ provides the true, eternal rest and inheritance for all who believe, a rest from the futility of human effort and the bondage of sin (Hebrews 4:8-10).

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Commentary on Joshua 10 verses 28–43

28 ¶ And that day Joshua took Makkedah, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof he utterly destroyed, them, and all the souls that were therein; he let none remain: and he did to the king of Makkedah as he did unto the king of Jericho.

29 Then Joshua passed from Makkedah, and all Israel with him, unto Libnah, and fought against Libnah:

30 And the LORD delivered it also, and the king thereof, into the hand of Israel; and he smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein; he let none remain in it; but did unto the king thereof as he did unto the king of Jericho.

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

32 And the LORD delivered Lachish into the hand of Israel, which took it on the second day, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein, according to all that he had done to Libnah.

33 Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish; and Joshua smote him and his people, until he had left him none remaining.

34 And from Lachish Joshua passed unto Eglon, and all Israel with him; and they encamped against it, and fought against it:

35 And they took it on that day, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein he utterly destroyed that day, according to all that he had done to Lachish.

36 And Joshua went up from Eglon, and all Israel with him, unto Hebron; and they fought against it:

37 And they took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof, and all the cities thereof, and all the souls that were therein; he left none remaining, according to all that he had done to Eglon; but destroyed it utterly, and all the souls that were therein.

38 And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir; and fought against it:

39 And he took it, and the king thereof, and all the cities thereof; and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed all the souls that were therein; he left none remaining: as he had done to Hebron, so he did to Debir, and to the king thereof; as he had done also to Libnah, and to her king.

40 So Joshua smote all the country of the hills, and of the south, and of the vale, and of the springs, and all their kings: he left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the LORD God of Israel commanded.

41 And Joshua smote them from Kadeshbarnea even unto Gaza, and all the country of Goshen, even unto Gibeon.

42 And all these kings and their land did Joshua take at one time, because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel.

43 And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal.

I. II. Main points1. 2. Sub-points

We are here informed how Joshua improved the late glorious victory he had obtained and the advantages he had gained by it, and to do this well is a general's praise.

I. Here is a particular account of the several cities which he immediately made himself master of. 1. The cities of three of the kings whom he had conquered in the field he went and took possession of, Lachish (Jos 10:31, Jos 10:32), Eglon (Jos 10:34, Jos 10:35), and Hebron, Jos 10:36, Jos 10:37. The other two, Jerusalem and Jarmuth, were not taken at this time; perhaps his forces were either so much fatigued with what they had done or so well content with what they had got that they had no mind to attack those places, and so they let slip the fairest opportunity they could ever expect of reducing them with ease, which afterwards was not done without difficulty, Jdg 1:8; Sa2 5:6. 2. Three other cities, and royal cities too, he took: Makkedah, into the neighbourhood of which the five kings had fled, which brought Joshua and his forces thither in pursuit of them, and so hastened its ruin (Jos 10:28), Libnah (Jos 10:29, Jos 10:30), and Debir, Jos 10:38, Jos 10:39. 3. One king that brought in his forces for the relief of Lachish, that had lost its king, proved to meddle to his own hurt; it was Horam king of Gezer, who, either in friendship to his neighbours or for his own security, offered to stop the progress of Joshua's arms, and was cut off with all his forces, Jos 10:33. Thus wicked men are often snared in their counsels, and, by opposing God in the way of his judgments, bring them the sooner on their own heads.

II. A general account of the country which was hereby reduced and brought into Israel's hands (Jos 10:40-42), that part of the land of Canaan of which they first got possession, which lay south of Jerusalem, and afterwards fell, for the most part, to the lot of the tribe of Judah. Observe in this narrative,

1.The great speed Joshua made in taking these cities, which, some think, is intimated in the manner of relating it, which is quick and concise. He flew like lightning from place to place; and though they all stood it out to the last extremity, and none of these cities opened their gates to him, yet in a little time he got them all into his hands, summoned them, and seized them, the same day (Jos 10:28), or in two days, Jos 10:32. Now that they were struck with fear, by the defeat of their armies and the death of their kings, Joshua prudently followed his blow. See what a great deal of work may be done in a little time, if we will but be busy and improve our opportunities.

2.The great severity Joshua used towards those he conquered. He gave no quarter to man, woman, nor child, put to the sword all the souls (Jos 10:28, Jos 10:30, Jos 10:32, Jos 10:35, etc.), utterly destroyed all that breathed (Jos 10:40), and left none remaining. Nothing could justify this military execution but that herein they did as the Lord God of Israel commanded (Jos 10:40), which was sufficient not only to bear them out, and save them for the imputation of cruelty, but to sanctify what they did, and make it an acceptable piece of service to his justice. God would hereby, (1.) Manifest his hatred of the idolatries and other abominations which the Canaanites had been guilty of, and leave us to judge how great the provocation was which they had given him by the greatness of the destruction which was brought upon them when the measure of their iniquity was full. (2.) He would hereby magnify his love to his people Israel, in giving so many men for them, and people for their life, Isa 43:4. When the heathen are to be cast out to make room for this vine (Psa 80:8) divine justice appears more prodigal than ever of human blood, that the Israelites might find themselves for ever obliged to spend their lives to the glory of that God who had sacrificed so many of the lives of his creatures to their interest. (3.) Hereby was typified the final and eternal destruction of all the impenitent implacable enemies of the Lord Jesus, who, having slighted the riches of his grace, must for ever feel the weight of his wrath, and shall have judgment without mercy. Nations that forget God shall be turned into hell, and no reproach at all to God's infinite goodness.

3.The great success of this expedition. The spoil of these cities was now divided among the men of war that plundered them; and the cities themselves, with the land about them, were shortly to be divided among the tribes, for the Lord fought for Israel, Jos 10:42. They could not have gotten the victory if God had not undertaken the battle; then we conquer when God fights for us; and, if he be for us, who can be against us?

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 28–43. Public domain.

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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.

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Cross-References

Joshua 16:10
And they drave not out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer: but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites unto this day, and serve under tribute.
Judges 1:29
Neither did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwelt in Gezer among them.
Joshua 16:3
And goeth down westward to the coast of Japhleti, unto the coast of Bethhoron the nether, and to Gezer: and the goings out thereof are at the sea.
1 Kings 9:15
¶ And this is the reason of the levy which king Solomon raised; for to build the house of the LORD, and his own house, and Millo, and the wall of Jerusalem, and Hazor, and Megiddo, and Gezer.
1 Kings 9:17
And Solomon built Gezer, and Bethhoron the nether,
Joshua 21:21
For they gave them Shechem with her suburbs in mount Ephraim, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Gezer with her suburbs,
Joshua 12:12
The king of Eglon, one; the king of Gezer, one;