Joshua 10:37

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they took {H3920} it, and smote {H5221} it with the edge {H6310} of the sword {H2719}, and the king {H4428} thereof, and all the cities {H5892} thereof, and all the souls {H5315} that were therein; he left {H7604} none remaining {H8300}, according to all that he had done {H6213} to Eglon {H5700}; but destroyed {H2763} it utterly, and all the souls {H5315} that were therein.

Complete Jewish Bible

They captured it, defeating it with the sword, including its king, its villages and everyone there; he left no one, exactly as he had done to 'Eglon; but he completely destroyed it and everyone there.

Berean Standard Bible

They captured it and put to the sword its king, all its villages, and all the people. Joshua left no survivors, just as he had done at Eglon; he devoted to destruction Hebron and everyone in it.

American Standard Version

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 he utterly destroyed it, and all the souls that were therein.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 10:37 provides a stark and powerful account of the complete and utter destruction of a Canaanite city, understood to be Hebron, by Joshua and the Israelite army. This verse emphasizes the thoroughness of the conquest, leaving no survivors, and explicitly states that these actions were in full compliance with divine instructions previously executed in the conquest of Eglon. It underscores the severity of God's judgment against the pervasive wickedness of the Canaanite nations and highlights Israel's unwavering obedience to the divine mandate of *ḥerem*, or utter devotion to destruction.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Joshua's swift and decisive southern campaign, which immediately followed the pivotal victory over the coalition of five Amorite kings at Gibeon. After pursuing and defeating these kings, Joshua systematically moved to conquer their respective cities. While not explicitly named in this verse, the preceding verse, [Joshua 10:36](/joshua/10-36 "Joshua 10:36 - Conquest of Hebron"), identifies the city as Hebron, a significant stronghold in the hill country of Judah. The actions described here—the complete eradication of the population and city—are presented as a continuation of Joshua's relentless campaign to secure the Promised Land, meticulously fulfilling the divine command for *ḥerem* against the Canaanite inhabitants. The phrase "according to all that he had done to Eglon" reinforces Joshua's consistent obedience to these commands, referencing the earlier conquest detailed in [Joshua 10:34-35](/joshua/10-34 "Joshua 10:34-35 - Conquest of Eglon").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The conquest of Canaan, as depicted in Joshua, was a unique historical event understood as an act of divine judgment against the morally corrupt and idolatrous Canaanite nations. The command of *ḥerem* (often translated as "utter destruction" or "devotion to destruction") was a specific, temporary, and religiously motivated directive from God, not a general license for warfare. The Canaanite cultures were characterized by pervasive idolatry, child sacrifice, and gross immorality, which had reached a point where their "iniquity was not yet full" but had now reached its peak, as foretold in [Genesis 15:16](/genesis/15-16 "Genesis 15:16 - The Iniquity of the Amorites"). This divine cleansing was necessary to prevent the spiritual contamination of Israel and to establish a holy nation in the land God had promised them. It was a demonstration of God's absolute holiness and His righteous indignation against sin, executed through His chosen people.

* **Key Themes:** Joshua 10:37 contributes significantly to several major themes within the book of Joshua and the broader Old Testament narrative. It powerfully illustrates the theme of **Divine Judgment and Holy War**, portraying God's righteous wrath against sin and His use of Israel as an instrument of judgment against the depraved Canaanite cultures. Simultaneously, it highlights **Obedience to God's Commands**, showcasing Joshua's unwavering and meticulous adherence to the divine mandate of *ḥerem*, even when it involved severe measures. The repeated emphasis on "leaving none remaining" and "destroying it utterly" underscores the importance of complete and precise obedience to God's will. Furthermore, the verse reinforces the theme of the **Completeness of Conquest**, demonstrating the strategic necessity of eradicating Canaanite religious and cultural influences to ensure the spiritual purity and distinct identity of Israel in the Promised Land, preventing future apostasy as warned in [Deuteronomy 7:1-6](/deuteronomy/7 "Deuteronomy 7 - Warnings Against Intermarriage and Idolatry").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Smote (Hebrew, _nāḵāh'_):** This verb, used frequently in the conquest narratives, signifies striking, beating, or killing. In the context of warfare, it denotes a decisive and often fatal blow. Here, it emphasizes the direct, physical action taken by the Israelite army in executing the divine judgment, highlighting the force and finality of their military operations.
* **Destroyed it utterly (Hebrew, _ḥāram_ - root of _ḥerem'_):** This phrase translates the Hebrew verb _ḥāram_, which is the verbal form of the noun _ḥerem_. It signifies setting something apart as devoted to God, often for destruction. In the context of the Canaanite conquest, it means that the cities and their inhabitants were consecrated or dedicated to God for judgment, rather than for Israel's plunder or assimilation. This was a unique and specific command, signifying the holiness of God, the seriousness of the sin being judged, and the necessity of Israel's complete separation from pagan influences. It implies a total and irreversible act of eradication.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword":** This opening clause describes the immediate and decisive military action taken by the Israelite forces against the unnamed city (Hebron). "Took it" implies capturing or gaining control, and "smote it with the edge of the sword" vividly portrays the brutal and complete nature of the military engagement, indicating a direct and lethal assault.
* **"and the king thereof, and all the cities thereof, and all the souls that [were] therein; he left none remaining":** This segment details the scope of the destruction. Not only the city itself but also its king and all its inhabitants ("all the souls") were targeted. The phrase "he left none remaining" explicitly states the absolute thoroughness of the *ḥerem* command, emphasizing that no one was spared, regardless of age or status, in compliance with God's directive.
* **"according to all that he had done to Eglon; but destroyed it utterly, and all the souls that [were] therein.":** This concluding clause reiterates the completeness of the destruction and places it within a pattern of consistent obedience. The reference to Eglon serves as a precedent, demonstrating Joshua's faithful execution of God's commands throughout the campaign. The repetition of "destroyed it utterly, and all the souls that were therein" further underscores the total annihilation, leaving no doubt about the fulfillment of the *ḥerem* mandate.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Joshua 10:37 is **Repetition**, particularly of phrases emphasizing totality and completeness. Phrases like "all the souls that [were] therein," "he left none remaining," and "destroyed it utterly" are used to underscore the absolute and comprehensive nature of the conquest and the fulfillment of the *ḥerem* command. This **Repetition** serves to reinforce the theological point that God's judgment was thorough and that Israel's obedience was meticulous. Furthermore, the explicit comparison to "all that he had done to Eglon" functions as a form of **Parallelism** or **Analogy**, drawing a direct link between previous acts of judgment and the current one, thereby establishing a consistent pattern of divine judgment and Israelite obedience throughout the conquest narrative. The stark, unvarnished description of the destruction also contributes to the **Realism** of the narrative, portraying the harsh realities of ancient warfare as an instrument of divine will.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 10:37 stands as a stark reminder of God's absolute holiness and His righteous judgment against sin. While the physical conquest of Canaan was a unique historical event under the Old Covenant, the underlying principles are enduring. It reveals a God who is not indifferent to evil but actively judges pervasive wickedness and idolatry. This judgment, though severe, was rooted in divine justice and a commitment to preserve the purity of His covenant people. The verse also highlights the vital importance of complete obedience to God's commands, even when they are difficult or seemingly harsh, demonstrating that God's will, when faithfully executed, leads to the fulfillment of His purposes and the establishment of His kingdom.

* [Deuteronomy 20:16-18](/deuteronomy/20-16 "Deuteronomy 20:16-18 - Command to Utterly Destroy Canaanites")
* [Leviticus 18:24-25](/leviticus/18-24 "Leviticus 18:24-25 - Defilement of the Land by Canaanite Practices")
* [Psalm 1:6](/psalms/1-6 "Psalm 1:6 - The Way of the Righteous and the Wicked")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While we no longer engage in physical conquest of nations, Joshua 10:37 offers profound spiritual lessons for believers today. It calls us to recognize the seriousness with which God views sin and the necessity of radical separation from anything that defiles or corrupts our spiritual walk. Just as Israel was commanded to utterly destroy the influences of Canaanite idolatry, we are called to wage spiritual warfare against the sin, idolatry, and worldly influences within our own lives and hearts. This requires a decisive and uncompromising commitment to "put off the old self" and "put on the new self," as taught in [Ephesians 4:22-24](/ephesians/4-22 "Ephesians 4:22-24 - Putting Off the Old Self and Putting On the New"). Our "conquest" is internal, empowered by the Holy Spirit, demanding complete obedience to Christ in every area of our lives. It reminds us that spiritual purity and faithfulness to God require a willingness to "destroy utterly" those things that hinder our relationship with Him, trusting in His righteous judgment and His transformative power.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the severity of God's judgment in Joshua 10:37 shape your understanding of His holiness and justice?**
* **In what areas of your life might God be calling you to "utterly destroy" sinful habits, idolatrous thoughts, or worldly influences?**
* **What does Joshua's complete obedience to God's commands teach you about the nature of true discipleship and faithfulness?**
* **How can you, by the power of the Holy Spirit, apply the principle of "spiritual *ḥerem*" to cultivate greater purity and devotion in your own life?**

### FAQ
**How do we reconcile the command for "utter destruction" in Joshua 10:37 with God's character of love and mercy?**

Answer: This is a profound theological question that requires careful consideration of biblical context. The command for *ḥerem* (utter destruction) in the conquest of Canaan was a unique, specific, and temporary divine mandate, not a universal principle for all warfare or a contradiction of God's love. It was an act of righteous judgment against cultures whose pervasive wickedness, including child sacrifice and gross immorality, had reached a point of no return, as indicated in [Genesis 15:16](/genesis/15-16 "Genesis 15:16 - The Iniquity of the Amorites"). God had shown immense patience for centuries, but their iniquity was now "full." Furthermore, this judgment served to protect the nascent nation of Israel from spiritual corruption, ensuring they could fulfill their role as the vehicle for God's redemptive plan for all humanity. It demonstrates God's holiness and His intolerance of evil, while His love and mercy are seen in His covenant with Israel and His ultimate provision of salvation through Christ. It's crucial to understand this as a specific historical event within a broader narrative of redemption, not a blueprint for human behavior.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 10:37, with its depiction of complete conquest and utter destruction of an enemy, finds its ultimate and spiritual fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Joshua's conquest was physical, establishing an earthly kingdom, Christ's conquest is spiritual, establishing an eternal kingdom not of this world ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")). Jesus is the greater Joshua, who leads His people not into a geographical land but into spiritual freedom and eternal life. He is the one who truly executes the ultimate *ḥerem* against the powers of sin, death, and the devil, utterly destroying their dominion through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities")). Just as no Canaanite was to remain to corrupt Israel, Christ's victory ensures that sin's power is broken for those in Him, allowing for a new creation ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")). The obedience of Joshua in carrying out God's commands foreshadows the perfect obedience of Christ, who "became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross" ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). Through Christ, we are called to participate in a spiritual "conquest," putting to death the deeds of the flesh and living by the Spirit ([Romans 8:13](/romans/8-13 "Romans 8:13 - Living by the Spirit")), ultimately looking forward to the day when He will utterly destroy all evil and establish His righteous reign forever ([Revelation 20:10](/revelation/20-10 "Revelation 20:10 - The Devil Cast into the Lake of Fire")).

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.