What number verse is Joshua 10:38 in the Bible?

Joshua 10:38 is the 6,103rd verse of the Bible. Counting straight through the King James canon — all 31,102 verses from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 — Joshua 10:38 sits at position 6,103.

10:3710:37

Joshua 10:38

Q: Was Debir a particularly difficult city to conquer, or was its conquest routine?

While the text does not explicitly state that Debir was *uniquely* difficult compared to other cities, its mention after a series of rapid conquests, and the fact that Joshua "returned" to it, strongly suggests it was a significant stronghold that required a deliberate and focused effort. Historically, Debir (also known as Kiriath-sepher, or "city of book/scribe") was a notable city, possibly a center of learning, administration, or even a cultic center, and located in the rugged hill country, making it naturally defensible. Furthermore, the region was associated with the Anakim (Joshua 11:21), a people known for their imposing stature and formidable presence, which would have made any engagement with them challenging. The methodical nature of Joshua's campaign, ensuring no major strongholds were left unconquered, indicates that Debir was an important strategic target that required a direct and thorough military engagement to secure the southern territory completely and fulfill the divine mandate.

10:3910:39

Translation

King James Version

And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir; and fought against it:

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KJV (with Strong's)

And Joshua ^H3091 returned ^H7725, and all Israel ^H3478 with him, to Debir ^H1688; and fought ^H3898 against it:

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Complete Jewish Bible

Y'hoshua turned back, and all Isra'el with him, to D'vir and fought against it.

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Berean Standard Bible

Finally Joshua and all Israel with him turned toward Debir and fought against it.

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American Standard Version

And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir, and fought against it:

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World English Bible Messianic

Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir, and fought against it.

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Geneva Bible (1599)

So Ioshua returned, and all Israel with him to Debir, and fought against it.

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Young's Literal Translation

And Joshua turneth back, and all Israel with him, to Debir, and fighteth against it,

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Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Joshua 10:38 precisely chronicles a crucial phase in Israel's southern campaign, detailing Joshua's strategic repositioning with the entire Israelite army to Debir, a formidable Canaanite stronghold situated in the hill country of Judah. This verse signifies the ongoing and thorough execution of the divinely ordained conquest, emphasizing the systematic dismantling of Canaanite resistance and the unwavering obedience of Joshua and the nation of Israel in possessing the Promised Land according to God's covenant commands. It highlights the relentless and methodical nature of the campaign, ensuring that no significant pockets of enemy power remained to threaten the nascent Israelite settlement or compromise their future inheritance.

CONTEXT

Literary Context: Joshua 10:38 is strategically placed within the latter half of Joshua's extensive southern campaign, which commenced with the decisive victory over the coalition of five Amorite kings at Gibeon and their subsequent pursuit and execution at Makkedah (Joshua 10:1-27). Following this pivotal engagement, the narrative records a rapid succession of conquests: Makkedah (Joshua 10:28), Libnah (Joshua 10:29-30), Lachish (Joshua 10:31-32), Eglon (Joshua 10:34-35), and Hebron (Joshua 10:36-37). The phrase "Joshua returned" suggests a deliberate and strategic repositioning after the capture of Hebron, indicating a methodical approach to clearing out remaining strongholds rather than a linear, unchecked advance. The very next verse, Joshua 10:39, immediately describes the successful capture and utter destruction of Debir, completing the account of this specific engagement and contributing to the broader theme of total conquest and the fulfillment of God's promises.
Historical & Cultural Context: Debir, also known by its older names Kiriath-sepher ("city of book/scribe") or Kiriath-sannah ("city of palm branch"), was a significant Canaanite city located in the rugged hill country of Judah, southwest of Hebron. Its alternative names suggest it may have been a center of learning, administration, or possibly even a cultic site, indicating its strategic and cultural importance. Historically, this region was inhabited by the Anakim, a formidable people known for their great stature, whom the Israelite spies had previously feared (Numbers 13:33). The conquest of such a stronghold, especially one associated with the Anakim, served as a powerful demonstration of God's power over seemingly insurmountable foes and Israel's unwavering commitment to dispossessing all inhabitants as commanded by God. This divine mandate was rooted in the pervasive idolatry, child sacrifice, and other abominable practices prevalent among the Canaanites, which had filled the measure of their iniquity, making them ripe for divine judgment (Deuteronomy 9:5; Genesis 15:16).
Key Themes: This verse, nestled within the larger narrative of Joshua 10, powerfully reinforces several key themes central to the book of Joshua and Israel's covenant relationship with God. Firstly, it highlights Obedience and Fulfillment, as Joshua's actions, along with "all Israel with him," directly align with God's repeated commands to conquer and possess the land (Joshua 1:3-9). This systematic approach demonstrates Israel's commitment to the covenant and God's faithfulness in enabling their success. Secondly, the phrase "fought against it" underscores the Thoroughness of Conquest. Israel did not leave pockets of resistance but methodically subdued each city, ensuring the complete disinheritance of the Canaanites, reflecting God's desire for a clean break from the pagan practices of the land and a secure inheritance for His people. Finally, the entire campaign, including the assault on Debir, serves as an act of Divine Judgment against the Canaanite nations, whose wickedness had reached its zenith, making them ripe for divine retribution. This judgment was not arbitrary but a just response to centuries of moral corruption, as foreshadowed in Genesis 15:16.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

Returned (Hebrew, shûwb', H7725): This verb (H7725) signifies a turning back, a strategic re-engagement, or a reversal of direction. In the context of Joshua's campaign, it implies a deliberate movement back to a previously bypassed or unconquered target. It highlights the methodical and thorough nature of the conquest—Joshua was not simply moving forward but ensuring that all significant strongholds were dealt with, leaving no unconquered territory behind. This reflects a commitment to completing the task God had set before them with precision and diligence.
Debir (Hebrew, Dᵉbîyr', H1688): This proper noun (H1688) refers to a specific Canaanite city, also known as Kiriath-sepher. Its inclusion emphasizes the concrete, geographical reality of the conquest and the specific, divinely appointed targets. The conquest of Debir was not a random skirmish but a strategic objective, crucial for securing the southern hill country and eliminating a significant center of Canaanite power and culture.
Fought (Hebrew, lâcham', H3898): This primitive root (H3898) means "to feed on," "to consume," and by implication, "to battle" or "to wage war." In this context, it describes the direct military engagement. The simplicity of the phrase underscores the physical and often brutal reality of ancient warfare. The use of this verb conveys the decisive and forceful action required to overcome the city's defenses and its inhabitants, signifying a full-scale assault rather than a mere skirmish.

Verse Breakdown

"And Joshua returned": This clause indicates a deliberate change in direction or a strategic maneuver by Joshua. After a series of rapid conquests moving generally southward, Joshua makes a conscious decision to re-engage with Debir, suggesting its strategic importance or perhaps that it was bypassed initially in favor of more immediate threats. This highlights Joshua's leadership, his tactical planning, and his commitment to thoroughness in the campaign.
"and all Israel with him": This phrase emphasizes the unity, collective effort, and corporate obedience of the entire Israelite army. It signifies that the conquest was not merely Joshua's personal endeavor but a national undertaking, a corporate act of the nation acting in obedience to God's command. This collective participation underscores the national scope of the divine judgment and the fulfillment of the covenant promise.
"to Debir": This specifies the target city. Debir was a significant Canaanite stronghold, likely well-fortified and perhaps a center of the Anakim. Its conquest was crucial for securing the southern hill country and eliminating a potential threat to Israel's future settlement. The explicit naming of the city highlights its importance in the overall campaign and the precision of God's directives.
"and fought against it": This final clause describes the immediate action taken upon arrival. It signifies the commencement of military operations—a direct assault or siege. This phrase encapsulates the core activity of the conquest, emphasizing the direct engagement and the physical effort required to subdue the city and its inhabitants, fulfilling the divine mandate of dispossessing the Canaanites.

Literary Devices

The verse employs several subtle yet effective literary devices. The conciseness of the statement itself, following a rapid succession of more detailed conquests, creates a sense of relentless narrative progression and methodical thoroughness. The repetition of the structural pattern "and Joshua... to [city]; and fought against it" (seen in previous verses like Joshua 10:29 and Joshua 10:31) establishes a rhythmic cadence that underscores the systematic and comprehensive nature of the conquest. Furthermore, the inclusion of "all Israel with him" serves as a synecdoche, where the part (the army) represents the whole (the nation), emphasizing the corporate nature of their obedience and the divine mandate. The stark, action-oriented language ("returned," "fought") provides a sense of directness and immediacy, drawing the reader into the unfolding events of the conquest and highlighting the decisive nature of God's work through His people.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Joshua 10:38, by detailing the methodical conquest of Debir, serves as a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Israel, particularly the promise of the land (Genesis 12:7; Deuteronomy 1:8). It also profoundly illustrates the principle of divine judgment against the wickedness of the Canaanite nations, whose depravity had reached a point where God's righteous wrath was poured out through the instrument of Israel. The thoroughness of the conquest, exemplified by Joshua's return to clear out every stronghold, underscores the necessity of complete obedience to God's commands, even when they are arduous or seem to require revisiting difficult tasks. This systematic cleansing of the land was essential for establishing a holy nation free from the corrupting influences of paganism, setting the stage for Israel's unique relationship with Yahweh and demonstrating His sovereignty over all nations.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

While the physical conquest of nations is unique to ancient Israel's historical context and not a model for believers today, the principles embedded in Joshua 10:38 offer profound lessons for our spiritual lives. Joshua's "return" to Debir after other conquests speaks to the spiritual persistence required to address lingering areas of sin, spiritual strongholds, or resistance in our own lives. Just as Israel could not leave pockets of Canaanite strongholds to fester, we cannot afford to leave unaddressed areas of disobedience, unconfessed sin, or unyielded desires in our hearts. The call to "fight against it" becomes a metaphor for our ongoing spiritual warfare against temptation, the flesh, and the schemes of the enemy. This verse encourages us to be thorough in our pursuit of holiness, to revisit and conquer those spiritual "Debirs" that hinder our walk with God, and to press on until God's will is fully accomplished in every facet of our lives. Our obedience, like Joshua's, should be unwavering and complete, trusting that God will grant us victory as we align with His purposes and rely on His strength.

Questions for Reflection

What "Debirs" or lingering areas of spiritual resistance do I need to "return" to and "fight against" in my own life, trusting God for victory?
How does Joshua's thoroughness in conquest challenge me to be more diligent and comprehensive in my pursuit of holiness and obedience to God's Word?
In what ways am I called to engage in "spiritual warfare" today, and what does it mean to do so with "all Israel"—that is, in community with other believers, drawing strength from our shared faith?

FAQ

Was Debir a particularly difficult city to conquer, or was its conquest routine?

Answer: While the text does not explicitly state that Debir was uniquely difficult compared to other cities, its mention after a series of rapid conquests, and the fact that Joshua "returned" to it, strongly suggests it was a significant stronghold that required a deliberate and focused effort. Historically, Debir (also known as Kiriath-sepher, or "city of book/scribe") was a notable city, possibly a center of learning, administration, or even a cultic center, and located in the rugged hill country, making it naturally defensible. Furthermore, the region was associated with the Anakim (Joshua 11:21), a people known for their imposing stature and formidable presence, which would have made any engagement with them challenging. The methodical nature of Joshua's campaign, ensuring no major strongholds were left unconquered, indicates that Debir was an important strategic target that required a direct and thorough military engagement to secure the southern territory completely and fulfill the divine mandate.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Joshua 10:38, like the entire conquest narrative, finds its ultimate and spiritual fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Joshua, whose name is the Hebrew equivalent of Jesus, serves as a powerful type of the greater Deliverer and Conqueror. Just as Joshua led Israel into the physical promised land, battling and dispossessing the enemies of God, Jesus leads His people into the spiritual promised land of salvation and eternal life, conquering the ultimate enemies: sin, death, and the devil. The thoroughness of Joshua's conquest of Debir foreshadows Christ's complete and decisive victory over all the powers of darkness. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus "returned" to the stronghold of death and "fought against it," utterly disarming principalities and powers and triumphing over them (Colossians 2:15). His victory is not partial but absolute, establishing His eternal kingdom and securing the inheritance for all who believe (Ephesians 1:11). Believers, united with Christ, are called to participate in this spiritual conquest, not through physical warfare, but by putting on the full armor of God and standing firm against the schemes of the devil (Ephesians 6:10-18), knowing that our ultimate victory is already secured in the triumphant work of the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.

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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.

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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.

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Cross-References

Joshua 15:15
And he went up thence to the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of Debir before was Kirjathsepher.
Joshua 21:15
And Holon with her suburbs, and Debir with her suburbs,
Judges 1:11
And from thence he went against the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of Debir before was Kirjathsepher:
Judges 1:15
And she said unto him, Give me a blessing: for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And Caleb gave her the upper springs and the nether springs.
Joshua 15:49
And Dannah, and Kirjathsannah, which is Debir,
Joshua 12:13
The king of Debir, one; the king of Geder, one;