Joshua 10:34

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And from Lachish {H3923} Joshua {H3091} passed {H5674} unto Eglon {H5700}, and all Israel {H3478} with him; and they encamped {H2583} against it, and fought {H3898} against it:

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

So Joshua moved on from Lachish to Eglon, and all Israel with him. They laid siege to it and fought against it.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 10:34 chronicles the relentless and divinely empowered progression of the Israelite conquest of Canaan, specifically detailing the immediate transition of Joshua and the entire army from the newly conquered city of Lachish to the next strategic target, Eglon. This verse underscores the unwavering obedience of Israel to God's command to dispossess the Canaanites, highlighting the swift and decisive nature of the military campaign as a direct fulfillment of God's covenant promises and judgment upon the land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 10:34 is situated within the broader narrative of the southern campaign, which begins after the pivotal victory over the five Amorite kings who attacked Gibeon. Following the miraculous long day and the decisive defeat of the confederate kings, Joshua systematically moves to conquer their respective cities. The verse immediately follows the capture and utter destruction of Lachish, a major fortified city (Joshua 10:31-33). The swift transition from Lachish to Eglon, without pause, emphasizes the relentless momentum of the conquest and Joshua's commitment to completing the task God had set before him. This sequence illustrates the principle of total war and complete disinheritance of the Canaanites, as commanded by God. The narrative flow is one of continuous, divinely-backed military action, demonstrating the fulfillment of God's promise to deliver the land into Israel's hand.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Joshua 10:34 occur during the late Bronze Age, a period characterized by city-states and regional alliances in Canaan. Lachish and Eglon were significant fortified cities in the Shephelah, the lowlands of Judah, strategically important for controlling trade routes and agricultural lands. The Canaanites practiced various abhorrent religious and social customs, including child sacrifice and widespread idolatry, which God deemed an abomination (cf. [Deuteronomy 18:9-12](/deuteronomy/18-9 "Deuteronomy 18:9-12 - Abominable Practices")). The conquest, therefore, was not merely a territorial expansion but a divine judgment against the wickedness of these inhabitants, executed through Israel as God's instrument. The military tactics described—encamping and fighting—reflect typical siege warfare of the ancient Near East, involving surrounding a city to cut off supplies, followed by direct assault. The involvement of "all Israel" signifies a unified, national effort under Joshua's leadership, indicative of a divinely sanctioned campaign rather than mere tribal skirmishes.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Joshua. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Judgment** upon the Canaanite nations, whose "iniquity is not yet full" (cf. [Genesis 15:16](/genesis/15-16 "Genesis 15:16 - The Iniquity of the Amorites")). God's patience had run out, and Israel was the agent of His righteous wrath. Secondly, it highlights **Unwavering Obedience** on the part of Joshua and the Israelites. They followed God's commands precisely, moving from one objective to the next without hesitation, demonstrating their trust in God's leading and power (cf. [Joshua 1:7-9](/joshua/1-7 "Joshua 1:7-9 - Be Strong and Courageous")). Thirdly, the swift progression from Lachish to Eglon underscores **Divine Momentum** and **God's Faithfulness**. God was actively fighting for Israel, granting them strength and success, ensuring the fulfillment of His ancient covenant promises to Abraham regarding the land (cf. [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise to Abraham")). The phrase "encamped against it, and fought against it" also emphasizes the theme of **Total Conquest**, signifying a comprehensive and decisive disinheritance, not a partial or hesitant effort.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Passed (עָבַר, _'avar'_):** This Hebrew verb signifies movement, transition, or crossing over. In this context, it denotes a direct and immediate progression from Lachish to Eglon. It implies a swift, unhesitating advance, emphasizing the relentless pace of the conquest. It's not a leisurely journey but a purposeful military maneuver, indicating that the Israelites were not resting on their laurels after the victory at Lachish but were pressing on with the divine mandate.
* **Encamped (חָנָה, _chanah'_) and Fought (לָחַם, _lacham'_):** These two verbs, often used together in military contexts, describe the standard procedure for attacking a fortified city. "Encamped" refers to setting up a siege, surrounding the city to cut off its resources and prepare for assault. "Fought" indicates the direct engagement in combat, the actual battle. The pairing of these verbs emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the attack: first, strategic positioning and containment, then direct, aggressive military action. The repetition of "against it" further underscores the focused and determined nature of their assault on Eglon.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And from Lachish Joshua passed unto Eglon":** This clause establishes the immediate geographical and strategic movement of the Israelite army. Having just conquered Lachish, one of the strongest cities in the Shephelah, Joshua does not pause but immediately directs the army to Eglon. This highlights the relentless and systematic nature of the conquest, driven by divine command and momentum. The swift transition signifies that the campaign was not a series of isolated skirmishes but a continuous, divinely orchestrated sweep through the land.
* **"and all Israel with him":** This phrase emphasizes the collective and unified effort of the entire Israelite nation in the conquest. It underscores that this was a national enterprise, not merely a localized military action by a segment of the army. The presence of "all Israel" signifies the comprehensive nature of the divine mandate and the communal responsibility in executing God's judgment and inheriting the land. It also implies the scale and power of the force brought against Eglon, leaving no doubt about the outcome.
* **"and they encamped against it, and fought against it:":** This final clause describes the direct military action taken against Eglon. "Encamped against it" refers to the act of besieging the city, surrounding it to cut off its defenses and prepare for attack. "Fought against it" indicates the direct combat and assault on the city. The repetition of "against it" (Hebrew: עָלֶיהָ, _'aleha_) for both actions emphasizes the direct, focused, and aggressive nature of the attack. It conveys the determination of the Israelites to overcome Eglon, mirroring the pattern of conquest seen at Lachish and other cities.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 10:34 employs several literary devices to convey its message. The primary device is **Narrative Pace**, specifically the swift and unceasing progression from one conquered city to the next. The immediate transition "from Lachish... unto Eglon" without any intervening narrative pause emphasizes the relentless momentum of the divine conquest. This rapid pace reflects the urgency and divine backing of the campaign. Another device is **Repetition**, particularly in the phrase "encamped against it, and fought against it." The repeated "against it" serves to underscore the direct, focused, and aggressive nature of the Israelite assault. This repetition reinforces the idea of a comprehensive and determined effort to dispossess the inhabitants. Furthermore, the verse functions as a form of **Fulfillment Narrative**, demonstrating how God's promises of victory and land are being concretely realized through Joshua's actions, echoing the divine command for total conquest.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 10:34 is a powerful testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises and His righteousness in executing judgment. The relentless advance from Lachish to Eglon illustrates that God's plan of conquest was not haphazard but systematic and divinely empowered. It underscores the principle that when God commands, He also enables, and His people are called to unwavering obedience and perseverance. This verse reminds us that divine victory often requires human effort, persistence, and a willingness to press on even after significant achievements. The conquest of Canaan, of which Eglon was a part, serves as a foundational narrative for understanding God's sovereignty over nations, His intolerance of wickedness, and His commitment to establishing His people in their promised inheritance.

* [Deuteronomy 7:1-2](/deuteronomy/7-1 "Deuteronomy 7:1-2 - Command to Destroy Nations")
* [Psalm 44:3](/psalm/44-3 "Psalm 44:3 - Not by Their Own Sword")
* [Hebrews 11:30](/hebrews/11-30 "By Faith the Walls of Jericho Fell")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 10:34, though describing an ancient military campaign, offers profound spiritual lessons for believers today. Just as Israel was called to unwavering obedience and persistent action in conquering the physical land, we are called to similar perseverance in our spiritual lives and in fulfilling the tasks God has set before us. This verse reminds us that spiritual victory is often a process of continuous advancement, not a single event. We are not to rest complacently after one spiritual triumph but to press forward in faith, knowing that God's call often involves moving from one challenge to the next. Our spiritual warfare against sin, the flesh, and the devil requires constant vigilance, disciplined effort, and complete reliance on God's strength. We are encouraged to trust God's leading, even when the path seems daunting, and to pursue completeness in our obedience, fighting the good fight of faith until the victory is fully realized in Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Lachish" (past victories or accomplishments) might be tempting me to rest instead of pressing on to the "Eglon" (next challenge or calling) God has for me?**
* **How does the "all Israel with him" aspect of this verse encourage me about the importance of community and unified effort in my spiritual journey?**
* **In what areas of my life am I called to "encamp against" and "fight against" spiritual strongholds with persistence and determination?**
* **How does this historical account of God's faithfulness in conquest strengthen my trust in His ability to lead me through my own spiritual battles?**

### FAQ
**Why was Eglon the next target after Lachish?**

Answer: Eglon was a logical and strategic target for several reasons. Geographically, it was located in the Shephelah, the lowlands of Judah, similar to Lachish, making it part of the same general campaign area. Militarily, Lachish was one of the strongest cities, and its fall would have demoralized the remaining Canaanite strongholds. Eglon was likely part of the confederacy of Amorite kings that had attacked Gibeon (though not explicitly named among the five kings in [Joshua 10:5](/joshua/10-5 "Joshua 10:5 - The Five Amorite Kings")), or it was a significant city in the region that posed a continued threat to Israel's control of the Shephelah. Joshua's strategy was to systematically dismantle the Canaanite power structure, moving from one key city to the next, ensuring complete disinheritance as commanded by God. The immediate transition also highlights the relentless momentum of the divine conquest, leaving no time for the enemy to regroup.

**What does "encamped against it, and fought against it" imply about Israel's military tactics?**

Answer: This phrase describes the standard ancient Near Eastern siege warfare. "Encamped against it" (חָנָה, _chanah_) means to set up a military camp around the city, effectively besieging it. This action would cut off the city's supplies, communications, and ability to receive reinforcements, weakening its defenses. It also served as a staging ground for the assault. "Fought against it" (לָחָם, _lacham_) then refers to the direct military engagement, the actual battle or assault on the city walls, which could involve scaling ladders, battering rams, or breaching the defenses through other means. The combination indicates a comprehensive and aggressive approach: first, strategic containment, then direct, decisive combat. It signifies a full commitment to overcoming the city rather than a mere skirmish.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The conquest of Canaan, exemplified by the relentless advance from Lachish to Eglon, foreshadows the greater spiritual conquest achieved by Jesus Christ. Just as Joshua led Israel to dispossess wicked nations and inherit a promised land, Jesus, our true Joshua (meaning "Yahweh saves"), leads His people in a spiritual conquest over sin, death, and the powers of darkness. The systematic dismantling of Canaanite strongholds points to Christ's decisive victory on the cross, where He "disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross" ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). The promised land, a place of rest and inheritance, ultimately finds its fulfillment not in a physical territory but in the spiritual inheritance believers have in Christ and the ultimate new heavens and new earth (cf. [Hebrews 4:8-9](/hebrews/4-8 "Hebrews 4:8-9 - The True Rest") and [Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1-4 - The New Heaven and New Earth")). The unwavering obedience of Joshua and Israel prefigures Christ's perfect obedience, even to death on a cross, which secured our eternal victory and inheritance (cf. [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). Thus, Joshua 10:34 is a shadow of the comprehensive and unstoppable advance of God's kingdom through Christ, culminating in the complete triumph over all His enemies and the establishment of His eternal reign.

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.