What number verse is Joshua 10:34 in the Bible?

Joshua 10:34 is the 6,099th verse of the Bible. Counting straight through the King James canon — all 31,102 verses from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 — Joshua 10:34 sits at position 6,099.

Translation

King James Version

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

Ask

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:

Ask

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.

Ask

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.

Ask

American Standard Version

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

Ask

World English Bible Messianic

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

Ask

Geneva Bible (1599)

And from Lachish Ioshua departed vnto Eglon, and all Israel with him, and they besieged it, and assaulted it,

Ask

Young's Literal Translation

And Joshua passeth over, and all Israel with him, from Lachish to Eglon, and they encamp against it, and fight against it,

Ask

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Joshua 10:34 meticulously records the relentless and divinely propelled advance of the Israelite conquest within Canaan, specifically detailing Joshua's immediate and strategic movement with the entire army from the recently subdued city of Lachish to the next crucial target, Eglon. This verse vividly portrays the unwavering obedience of Israel to God's command to dispossess the Canaanites, emphasizing the swift and decisive nature of the military campaign as a direct fulfillment of God's covenant promises and His righteous judgment upon the land.

CONTEXT

Literary Context: Joshua 10:34 is strategically placed within the larger narrative of the southern campaign, which commences immediately following the decisive victory over the coalition of five Amorite kings who had attacked Gibeon. After the miraculous intervention of the sun standing still and the subsequent rout of the confederate kings, Joshua systematically proceeds to conquer their respective strongholds. This verse directly follows the detailed account of the capture and utter destruction of Lachish, a formidable fortified city (Joshua 10:31-33). The seamless and immediate transition from Lachish to Eglon, without any narrative pause, powerfully underscores the relentless momentum of the conquest and Joshua's unwavering commitment to fulfilling the divine mandate. This uninterrupted sequence illustrates the principle of total warfare and the complete disinheritance of the Canaanites, precisely as commanded by God. The narrative flow is characterized by continuous, divinely-backed military action, demonstrating the tangible fulfillment of God's promise to deliver the land into Israel's hands.
Historical & Cultural Context: The events depicted in Joshua 10:34 unfold during the Late Bronze Age (circa 1400-1200 BCE), a period in Canaan marked by a mosaic of independent city-states and shifting regional alliances. Lachish and Eglon were significant fortified urban centers situated within the Shephelah, the strategically vital lowlands of Judah. These cities held considerable importance for controlling ancient trade routes and fertile agricultural territories. The indigenous Canaanite inhabitants were steeped in various abhorrent religious and social practices, including widespread idolatry, fertility cults, and the horrific practice of child sacrifice, all of which God explicitly condemned as abominations (Deuteronomy 18:9-12). Consequently, the Israelite conquest was not merely a territorial expansion but served as a profound act of divine judgment against the pervasive wickedness of these inhabitants, with Israel acting as God's chosen instrument. The military tactics described—encamping and fighting—are consistent with typical ancient Near Eastern siege warfare, which involved surrounding a city to cut off its vital supplies, followed by direct assault. The explicit mention of "all Israel" participating signifies a unified, national effort under Joshua's divinely appointed leadership, distinguishing this as a sacred, God-sanctioned campaign rather than a series of isolated tribal skirmishes.
Key Themes: This verse significantly contributes to several overarching theological and narrative themes woven throughout the book of Joshua. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of Divine Judgment upon the Canaanite nations. Their "iniquity is not yet full," as foretold in Genesis 15:16, and God's patience had reached its limit, with Israel serving as the agent of His righteous wrath. Secondly, it highlights the theme of Unwavering Obedience on the part of Joshua and the Israelites. They meticulously followed God's commands, moving from one objective to the next without hesitation, thereby demonstrating their profound trust in God's leading and omnipotent power (Joshua 1:7-9). Thirdly, the swift progression from Lachish to Eglon underscores the themes of Divine Momentum and God's Faithfulness. God was actively fighting for Israel, granting them supernatural strength and ensuring their success, thereby guaranteeing the fulfillment of His ancient covenant promises to Abraham regarding the land (Genesis 12:7). Finally, the descriptive phrase "encamped against it, and fought against it" also emphasizes the theme of Total Conquest, signifying a comprehensive and decisive disinheritance, rather than a partial or hesitant effort.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

Passed (Hebrew, 'avar', H5674): This Hebrew verb signifies movement, transition, or crossing over. In this specific context, it denotes a direct, immediate, and purposeful progression from Lachish to Eglon. It implies a swift, unhesitating advance, emphasizing the relentless and divinely driven pace of the conquest. This was not a leisurely journey but a calculated and urgent 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 (Hebrew, chânâh', H2583): This verb describes the act of setting up a military camp, often for the purpose of a siege. In ancient warfare, to "encamp against" a city meant to surround it, cutting off its resources, communications, and ability to receive reinforcements, thereby weakening its defenses and preparing for a direct assault. It indicates a strategic positioning and containment phase before the actual battle.
Fought (Hebrew, lâcham', H3898): This verb refers to direct engagement in combat or battle. When paired with "encamped," it describes the actual military assault on the city following the siege. The combination of "encamped" and "fought" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the attack: first, strategic positioning and containment, then direct, aggressive military action. This pairing underscores the determined and thorough nature of their assault on Eglon.

Verse Breakdown

"And from Lachish Joshua passed unto Eglon": This clause precisely establishes the immediate geographical and strategic movement of the Israelite army. Having just conquered Lachish, one of the most formidable cities in the Shephelah, Joshua does not pause but immediately directs the entire army to Eglon. This highlights the relentless, systematic, and divinely propelled nature of the conquest. The swift transition signifies that the campaign was not a series of isolated skirmishes but a continuous, divinely orchestrated sweep through the land, maintaining constant pressure on the remaining Canaanite strongholds.
"and all Israel with him": This phrase profoundly emphasizes the collective, unified, and national effort of the entire Israelite community in the conquest. It underscores that this was a comprehensive national enterprise, not merely a localized military action conducted 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 promised land. It also implies the sheer scale and overwhelming power of the force brought against Eglon, leaving no doubt about the eventual outcome.
"and they encamped against it, and fought against it:": This final clause vividly describes the direct military action taken against Eglon. "Encamped against it" refers to the act of besieging the city, meticulously surrounding it to cut off its defenses and prepare for the decisive attack. "Fought against it" indicates the direct combat and aggressive assault on the city itself. The strategic repetition of "against it" (Hebrew: עָלֶיהָ, 'aleha) for both actions powerfully emphasizes the direct, focused, and unyielding nature of the Israelite attack. It conveys the unwavering determination of the Israelites to overcome Eglon, mirroring the pattern of comprehensive conquest seen at Lachish and other cities.

Literary Devices

Joshua 10:34 skillfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound 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 powerfully emphasizes the relentless momentum and divine backing of the conquest campaign. This rapid pace reflects the urgency and supernatural empowerment behind Israel's advance. Another significant device is Repetition, particularly evident 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 utterly dispossess the inhabitants. Furthermore, the verse functions as a form of Fulfillment Narrative, demonstrating how God's ancient promises of victory and the inheritance of the land are being concretely and systematically realized through Joshua's obedient actions, echoing the divine command for total conquest.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Joshua 10:34 stands as a powerful testament to God's unfailing faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises and His unblemished righteousness in executing judgment upon wicked nations. The relentless advance from Lachish to Eglon vividly illustrates that God's plan of conquest was not haphazard but systematic, purposeful, and divinely empowered. It underscores the profound theological principle that when God issues a command, He also provides the necessary enablement, and His people are called to unwavering obedience and persistent perseverance. This verse serves as a potent reminder that divine victory often necessitates human effort, steadfast persistence, and a willingness to press on even after significant achievements have been secured. The conquest of Canaan, of which the capture of Eglon was an integral part, serves as a foundational narrative for understanding God's absolute sovereignty over nations, His intolerance of pervasive wickedness, and His unwavering commitment to establishing His chosen people in their promised inheritance.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Joshua 10:34, while describing an ancient military campaign, offers profound and enduring spiritual lessons for believers today. Just as ancient Israel was called to unwavering obedience and persistent action in conquering the physical land, we too are called to similar perseverance in our spiritual lives and in fulfilling the divine tasks God has set before us. This verse reminds us that spiritual victory is often a continuous process of advancement, not merely a single, isolated event. We are cautioned not to rest complacently after one spiritual triumph but to press forward in faith, understanding that God's call frequently involves moving from one challenge to the next. Our ongoing spiritual warfare against sin, the temptations of the flesh, and the schemes of the devil demands constant vigilance, disciplined effort, and complete reliance on God's indwelling strength. We are profoundly encouraged to trust God's leading, even when the path ahead seems daunting, and to pursue completeness in our obedience, fighting the good fight of faith until the ultimate 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 divine calling) God has for me?
How does the "all Israel with him" aspect of this verse encourage me about the vital importance of community, unity, and shared effort in my personal spiritual journey?
In what specific areas of my life am I called to "encamp against" and "fight against" spiritual strongholds with unwavering persistence and determined resolve?
How does this historical account of God's absolute faithfulness in the conquest strengthen my trust in His ability to lead me victoriously through my own spiritual battles and challenges?

FAQ

Why was Eglon the next target after Lachish?

Answer: Eglon was a logical and strategically imperative target for several compelling reasons. Geographically, it was situated in the Shephelah, the lowlands of Judah, much like Lachish, making it an integral part of the same general campaign area. Militarily, Lachish was recognized as one of the strongest cities in the region, and its dramatic fall would have significantly demoralized the remaining Canaanite strongholds. While not explicitly named among the five Amorite kings in Joshua 10:5, Eglon was undoubtedly a significant city in the region that posed a continued threat to Israel's burgeoning control of the Shephelah. Joshua's strategic approach was to systematically dismantle the Canaanite power structure, moving decisively from one key city to the next, thereby ensuring complete disinheritance as divinely commanded. The immediate transition also powerfully highlights the relentless momentum of the divine conquest, leaving no opportunity for the enemy to regroup or reinforce their defenses.

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

Answer: This phrase precisely describes the standard ancient Near Eastern siege warfare methodology. "Encamped against it" (חָנָה, chanah) means to establish a military camp around the city, effectively initiating a comprehensive siege. This strategic action would systematically cut off the city's vital supplies, communications, and its ability to receive reinforcements, thereby progressively weakening its defenses. It also served as a crucial staging ground for the subsequent 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 various tactics such as scaling ladders, employing battering rams, or breaching the defenses through other means. The combination of these two actions indicates a comprehensive and aggressive approach: first, strategic containment and isolation, followed by direct, decisive combat. It signifies a full and unwavering commitment to overcoming the city rather than a mere skirmish or limited engagement.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

The relentless conquest of Canaan, so vividly exemplified by the unwavering advance from Lachish to Eglon, serves as a profound foreshadowing of the greater, ultimate spiritual conquest achieved by Jesus Christ. Just as Joshua faithfully led Israel to dispossess wicked nations and inherit a promised land, Jesus, our true Joshua (whose name, Yeshua, means "Yahweh saves"), leads His people in a triumphant spiritual conquest over the formidable powers of sin, death, and the forces of darkness. The systematic dismantling of Canaanite strongholds points prophetically to Christ's decisive and complete 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). The promised land, a place of rest and secure inheritance, ultimately finds its supreme fulfillment not in a physical territory but in the glorious spiritual inheritance believers possess in Christ and the ultimate reality of the new heavens and new earth (Hebrews 4:8-9 and Revelation 21:1-4). The unwavering obedience of Joshua and the Israelites in pressing forward prefigures Christ's perfect and unparalleled obedience, even to the agonizing death on a cross, which secured our eternal victory and spiritual inheritance (Philippians 2:8). Thus, Joshua 10:34 stands as a powerful shadow of the comprehensive, unstoppable, and divinely ordained advance of God's kingdom through Jesus Christ, culminating in His complete triumph over all His enemies and the glorious establishment of His eternal reign.

Copy as

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.

Copy as

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.

Copy as

Continue studying Joshua 10:34 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.