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Commentary on Joshua 10 verses 28–43
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?
In like manner, there is also Hebron, which they say means "union" or "marriage." But the union of our soul was at first with a wicked man and a most evil husband, the devil. When that one was destroyed and abolished, the soul was "freed from the law" of that former wicked man and united with a good and lawful one, him about whom the apostle Paul says, "I determined to present you a chaste virgin to one man, to Christ."18Thus even the understanding of the names themselves agrees with this twofold condition of every city.
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SUMMARY
Joshua 10:36 encapsulates a critical juncture in Israel's southern campaign, depicting the immediate and strategic relocation of Joshua and the entire Israelite army from the recently conquered city of Eglon to the ancient and formidable stronghold of Hebron. This verse powerfully illustrates the relentless momentum of the conquest, underscoring Israel's unwavering obedience to God's command to dispossess the land's inhabitants and secure their promised inheritance through direct military engagement.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several effective literary devices that contribute to its impact. The most prominent is Narrative Progression, as the verse seamlessly continues the rapid, almost breathless, account of the southern campaign. The conjunction "And" at the beginning of the verse links it directly to the preceding events, maintaining a sense of continuous action and relentless momentum. This creates a feeling of inevitability and divine purpose behind Israel's advance. There is also an element of Conciseness and Directness in the language; the actions are stated simply and plainly ("went up," "fought"), without elaborate description, which enhances the sense of urgency and the straightforward fulfillment of God's commands. The geographical movement from Eglon to Hebron also serves as a form of Geographical Symbolism, representing the systematic and comprehensive nature of the conquest, moving from one conquered territory to the next, progressively securing the promised inheritance.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 10:36 stands as a powerful testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Abraham and his descendants, specifically the promise of the land of Canaan. The relentless advance of Joshua and "all Israel" from Eglon to Hebron is not merely a military maneuver but a divinely orchestrated act of dispossession, demonstrating God's sovereign power working through His obedient people. This verse underscores the principle that divine promises often require human action and perseverance; while God grants the land, Israel must actively "fight against it" to take possession. The unity of "all Israel" in this endeavor highlights the corporate nature of God's covenant with His people, where the success of the nation depends on their collective obedience and participation in His purposes. This ongoing conquest also foreshadows the ultimate spiritual battle believers face, where divine power enables them to overcome formidable obstacles in their journey of faith.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 10:36 offers profound insights for contemporary believers regarding perseverance, unified action, and trusting in God's leading even when facing daunting challenges. Just as Israel, after one victory at Eglon, immediately pressed on to the next formidable stronghold in Hebron, so too are believers called to continuous spiritual growth and engagement. We cannot rest on past successes but must remain vigilant and active in our faith journey, recognizing that new challenges and "strongholds" will inevitably arise. The phrase "all Israel with him" reminds us of the power and necessity of corporate unity in the body of Christ. Our spiritual battles are often not meant to be fought in isolation but require the collective strength, prayer, and support of the community. This verse encourages us to embrace a mindset of immediate and decisive action against spiritual obstacles, trusting that God, who has given us the victory in Christ, will empower us to "fight against" and overcome every spiritual resistance as we walk in obedience to His commands.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was Hebron such a significant target for Joshua?
Answer: Hebron was a profoundly significant target for several reasons, encompassing historical, strategic, and symbolic importance. Historically, it was deeply connected to the patriarchs of Israel, serving as the burial place for Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Cave of Machpelah (Genesis 23:19). This made its capture a powerful symbolic act of reclaiming the ancestral land. Strategically, Hebron was one of the oldest and most fortified cities in Canaan, situated in the high Judean mountains. Its control was crucial for dominating the southern highlands and securing key trade routes and agricultural lands. Militarily, taking Hebron, a stronghold inhabited by the Anakim (giants), demonstrated Israel's ability to overcome even the most formidable resistance, further solidifying their control over the promised land as commanded by God (Deuteronomy 9:2).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Joshua 10:36 describes a physical conquest of a literal land, it finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the spiritual conquest and inheritance offered through Jesus Christ. Just as Joshua led Israel to "go up" and fight for their promised inheritance, Christ, our greater Joshua, leads His people into a spiritual inheritance that transcends earthly boundaries. The "Hebron" of our lives—the strongholds of sin, death, and spiritual opposition—are not to be fought in our own strength but are overcome through the decisive victory already secured by Christ on the cross. The "rest" that Israel sought in the land ultimately points to the eternal rest and peace found in Christ (Hebrews 4:8-10). Furthermore, "all Israel with him" foreshadows the unified body of believers, the Church, who are called to follow Christ's leadership in spiritual warfare, not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces (Ephesians 6:12). Our mission is to take possession not of a geographical territory, but of the spiritual blessings and freedom won for us by the Lamb of God, who disarmed the powers and authorities (Colossians 2:15). Thus, Joshua's campaign serves as a powerful type, pointing to Christ's definitive victory over all the enemies of God's people and His ongoing work of leading us into our full spiritual inheritance.