Joshua 10:33

KJV

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

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}.

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.

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.

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.

Commentary

### 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](/joshua/10-1-15 "Joshua 10:1-15 - The Battle of Gibeon and the Long Day"). 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](/leviticus/18-24-28 "Leviticus 18:24-28 - The Land Vomits Out Its Inhabitants"). 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](/deuteronomy/20-16-18 "Deuteronomy 20:16-18 - Command to Utterly Destroy the Inhabitants"). 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'_):** 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'_):** 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.

* [Deuteronomy 7:1-6](/deuteronomy/7-1-6 "Deuteronomy 7:1-6 - Command to Destroy Canaanites and Avoid Intermarriage")
* [Leviticus 18:24-28](/leviticus/18-24-28 "Leviticus 18:24-28 - The Land Vomits Out Its Inhabitants Due to Abominations")
* [Joshua 11:20](/joshua/11-20 "Joshua 11:20 - God Hardening Hearts for Judgment and Utter Destruction")

### 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](/leviticus/18-24-28 "Leviticus 18:24-28 - The Land Vomits Out Its Inhabitants Due to Abominations"). 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](/deuteronomy/9-4-5 "Deuteronomy 9:4-5 - Not by Israel's Righteousness but Canaan's Wickedness") 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](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). 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](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - My Kingdom is Not of This World")). He came to "destroy the works of the devil" ([1 John 3:8](/1_john/3-8 "1 John 3:8 - Son of God Appeared to Destroy the Works of the Devil")) and to cast out the "ruler of this world" ([John 12:31](/john/12-31 "John 12:31 - Judgment of this World's Ruler")), 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](/hebrews/4-8-10 "Hebrews 4:8-10 - Christ the True Rest and Sabbath")).

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 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;