Joshua 10:40

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

So Joshua {H3091} smote {H5221} all the country {H776} of the hills {H2022}, and of the south {H5045}, and of the vale {H8219}, and of the springs {H794}, and all their kings {H4428}: he left {H7604} none remaining {H8300}, but utterly destroyed {H2763} all that breathed {H5397}, as the LORD {H3068} God {H430} of Israel {H3478} commanded {H6680}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So Y'hoshua attacked all the land - the hills, the Negev, the Sh'felah and the mountain slopes - and all their kings; he left none but completely destroyed everything that breathed, as ADONAI the God of Isra'el had ordered.

Berean Standard Bible

So Joshua conquered the whole region—the hill country, the Negev, the foothills, and the slopes, together with all their kings—leaving no survivors. He devoted to destruction everything that breathed, just as the LORD, the God of Israel, had commanded.

American Standard Version

So Joshua smote all the land, the hill-country, and the South, and the lowland, and the slopes, and all their kings: he left none remaining, but he utterly destroyed all that breathed, as Jehovah, the God of Israel, commanded.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 10:40 provides a sweeping summation of Joshua's comprehensive and successful military campaigns across the diverse geographical regions of southern Canaan, encompassing the hill country, the Negev, the Shephelah, and areas abundant with springs. This verse powerfully underscores the absolute thoroughness of the Israelite conquest, detailing how Joshua and his forces meticulously eradicated all inhabitants and their kings, leaving no survivor, in strict and unwavering obedience to the explicit command of the LORD God of Israel. It stands as a profound testament to the fulfillment of divine judgment and the progressive realization of God's covenantal promises to His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 10:40 functions as a pivotal summary statement, bringing to a climactic close the detailed accounts of Israel's military engagements in southern Canaan. The preceding narrative meticulously chronicles the formation of a formidable coalition of five Amorite kings, who launched an attack against Gibeon, Israel's covenant ally. This aggression prompted Joshua's swift and divinely empowered intervention, famously culminating in the miraculous event where the sun stood still, ensuring a decisive victory over the Amorite forces, as recounted in [Joshua 10:12-14](/joshua/10-12-14 "Joshua 10:12-14 - The Sun Stands Still"). Following this initial triumph, the text systematically details Joshua's subsequent conquest of numerous strategic cities throughout the south, including Makkedah, Libnah, Lachish, Eglon, Hebron, and Debir, as described in [Joshua 10:28-39](/joshua/10-28-39 "Joshua 10:28-39 - Conquest of Southern Cities"). Verse 40 then synthesizes these individual victories into a singular, overarching declaration of complete conquest and the meticulous execution of the divine mandate across the entirety of the southern territory.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The severe command to "utterly destroy" (Hebrew: *cherem*) the Canaanite inhabitants must be rigorously understood within its precise historical, theological, and moral framework. The Canaanite cultures were notoriously characterized by pervasive idolatry, abhorrent practices such as child sacrifice, cultic prostitution, and other profound moral depravities, which God had patiently endured for centuries, as indicated in [Genesis 15:16](/genesis/15-16 "Genesis 15:16 - The Iniquity of the Amorites"). Israel, in this unique instance, was not acting out of arbitrary cruelty or imperialistic ambition, but rather as a direct instrument of divine judgment against a people whose wickedness had reached its full and intolerable measure. The *cherem* command was a unique, time-bound directive specific to this period of conquest, primarily serving to prevent the spiritual and moral contamination of Israel by the deeply entrenched Canaanite religious and moral practices. This drastic measure was crucial for preserving the purity and distinctiveness of God's covenant people and safeguarding the holiness of the Promised Land, as expressly commanded in [Deuteronomy 7:1-6](/deuteronomy/7 "Deuteronomy 7 - Warnings Against Idolatry"). This was a singular, divinely ordained act of holy war, fundamentally distinct from general warfare, essential for establishing a land where God could dwell in holiness among His people.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several foundational themes that resonate throughout the book of Joshua and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost among these is **Divine Command and Obedience**, highlighting Joshua's unwavering faithfulness and meticulous adherence in executing God's explicit and severe instructions to cleanse the land. This profound obedience underscores Israel's unique role as an agent of God's righteous **Divine Judgment** against the pervasive sinfulness and moral corruption of the Canaanite nations. The concept of **Utter Destruction (Cherem)** is central, signifying a complete devotion of the enemy to God, often through destruction, to prevent spiritual contamination and demonstrate God's absolute sovereignty over the land and its inhabitants. Finally, the successful and comprehensive conquest detailed here represents a monumental step in the **Fulfillment of God's Covenant Promises** to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, particularly the solemn promise of the land of Canaan as an eternal inheritance for their descendants, as vividly outlined in [Genesis 15:18-21](/genesis/15-18-21 "Genesis 15:18-21 - God's Covenant with Abraham").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Smote (Hebrew, _nâkâh'_):** This verb, frequently rendered as "struck," "hit," or "attacked," here conveys a profound connotation of decisive military defeat, a crushing and overwhelming blow resulting in the complete destruction of the enemy. It emphatically underscores the active, forceful, and relentless nature of Joshua's campaign, indicating not mere skirmishes but comprehensive and devastating victories that left no doubt about the outcome.
* **Utterly destroyed (Hebrew, _châram'_):** This is the verbal form of *cherem*, meaning "to devote to destruction," "to put under the ban," or "to utterly destroy." It signifies a complete and irreversible separation of something for God, often by dedicating it for destruction because it is anathema, or utterly detestable, to Him. In this specific context, it implies the complete eradication of the Canaanite population to prevent their deeply entrenched idolatrous practices and moral depravity from corrupting the nascent nation of Israel, precisely as commanded by God. It was a unique, divinely ordained act of judgment, distinct from an act of wanton cruelty.
* **Commanded (Hebrew, _tsâvâh'_):** This crucial word highlights the divine origin, absolute authority, and non-negotiable nature behind Joshua's actions. It unequivocally underscores that the conquest was not a self-initiated land grab driven by human ambition or conquest, but a direct, explicit, and non-negotiable directive from the LORD God of Israel Himself. This emphasizes Israel's role as a faithful instrument of God's sovereign will and provides the ultimate theological justification for the severity and thoroughness of the *cherem*.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So Joshua smote all the country of the hills, and of the south, and of the vale, and of the springs":** This opening clause provides a precise geographical summary of the extensive scope of the southern campaign. "The hills" refers to the central hill country of Judah, a rugged and strategic region; "the south" (Hebrew: *negeb*) denotes the arid, semi-desert southern district; "the vale" (Hebrew: *shephelah*) indicates the fertile lowlands situated between the central hill country and the coastal plain; and "the springs" points to areas rich in vital water sources, which were strategically important for sustaining life and settlement. This comprehensive geographical enumeration emphasizes that no significant region in the south was left unconquered, vividly illustrating the thoroughness and strategic brilliance of the campaign.
* **"and all their kings: he left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed":** This segment meticulously details the profound extent of the destruction. Not only were the territories themselves conquered, but their rulers ("all their kings") were decisively defeated, and their populations were annihilated. The stark phrase "left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed" unequivocally underscores the *cherem* command, indicating a complete and total eradication of life as commanded by God. This was a specific, unique, and severe judgment against the Canaanite peoples, executed without reservation.
* **"as the LORD God of Israel commanded":** This concluding phrase serves as the ultimate theological justification and supreme authority for all the actions described in the verse. It unequivocally states that Joshua's actions were neither arbitrary nor cruel, but rather a direct, faithful, and complete execution of God's explicit and sovereign instructions. This highlights the overarching theme of obedience to divine mandate and God's absolute sovereignty over the land and its inhabitants, firmly positioning Israel as a responsive instrument of divine will.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 10:40 skillfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful and decisive message. The verse functions primarily as a **Summary Statement**, providing a concise yet comprehensive overview of the extensive southern campaign detailed in the preceding chapters. This acts as a concluding flourish, powerfully emphasizing the completeness and finality of the conquest. There is also a clear element of **Geographical Enumeration**, as the verse meticulously lists distinct regions ("hills," "south," "vale," "springs"). This detailed listing serves to underscore the vast territorial scope and the thoroughness of Joshua's military operations, leaving no doubt about the extent of the victory. Furthermore, the striking phrase "utterly destroyed all that breathed" employs **Hyperbole**, a common and accepted literary feature in ancient Near Eastern conquest accounts. While the text emphasizes complete destruction, it is understood within the conventions of ancient historiography to convey the decisive nature of the victory and the full intent of the *cherem* command. Archaeological evidence and later biblical narratives (e.g., [Judges 1](/judges/1 "Judges 1 - Remaining Canaanites")) suggest that pockets of Canaanites did, in fact, remain. This hyperbole, therefore, serves to powerfully communicate that the Israelite forces had fulfilled their divine mandate to the greatest possible extent, leaving no organized resistance or significant spiritual threat to Israel's purity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 10:40 is a profoundly significant verse, encapsulating the unwavering holiness of God, His righteous and unyielding judgment against sin, and His absolute faithfulness to His covenant promises. The divine command for *cherem* underscores that God is not indifferent to evil; He is perfectly just and will ultimately judge all wickedness, both individual and corporate. This passage serves as a stark reminder that God's sovereign plan for His covenant people often involves a radical separation from the world's corrupting influences. While the literal application of *cherem* was unique to this specific historical period of conquest, the underlying principles of God's sovereignty, His uncompromised demand for holiness, and the absolute necessity of spiritual purity remain eternally relevant for believers today. The thoroughness of Joshua's obedience stands as a powerful example of trusting and executing God's will, even when that will is difficult to comprehend or challenging to implement.

* [Genesis 15:16](/genesis/15-16 "Genesis 15:16 - The Iniquity of the Amorites")
* [Deuteronomy 7:1-6](/deuteronomy/7-1-6 "Deuteronomy 7:1-6 - Warnings Against Idolatry")
* [Deuteronomy 9:5](/deuteronomy/9-5 "Deuteronomy 9:5 - Not for Your Righteousness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 10:40, while describing a unique and severe historical event under the Old Covenant, offers profound and enduring principles for contemporary believers. It confronts us directly with the absolute holiness of God and His righteous judgment against all forms of sin. We are powerfully reminded that God is not to be trifled with, and His commands, though sometimes challenging or difficult to reconcile with modern sensibilities, are always rooted in His perfect wisdom, justice, and love. For us, the "utter destruction" is not of physical enemies or human populations, but rather of the spiritual enemies within: the insidious power of sin, the allure of idolatry, and the pervasive worldly desires that relentlessly seek to corrupt our walk with God. Just as Joshua was called to thorough and uncompromising obedience, we too are called to radical, wholehearted obedience to God's revealed will in Christ. This means actively and intentionally "putting to death" the deeds of the flesh and cultivating a life devoted entirely to God, trusting implicitly that His ways are always good, always just, and always ultimately for our flourishing, even when they require costly sacrifice and profound spiritual discipline.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the thoroughness of Joshua's obedience challenge my own level of commitment and obedience to God's commands in my life today?**
* **In what specific areas of my life am I called to "utterly destroy" sinful habits, ungodly attitudes, or worldly influences that hinder my spiritual purity and wholehearted devotion to Christ?**
* **How does understanding God's righteous judgment and holiness in Joshua 10:40 deepen my appreciation for His boundless mercy and transformative grace extended to me through Jesus Christ?**

### FAQ
**What does "utterly destroyed all that breathed" mean, and is it a cruel command?**

Answer: The phrase "utterly destroyed all that breathed" refers to the Hebrew concept of *cherem* (חֵרֶם), which is best understood as "devoted to destruction" or "under the ban." This was a specific, severe, and unique command from God, not an act of random cruelty or an endorsement of genocide in the modern sense. It was a divinely ordained act of judgment against the Canaanite nations, whose profound wickedness, including abhorrent practices such as child sacrifice, cultic prostitution, and pervasive idolatry, had reached its full measure, as foreshadowed in [Genesis 15:16](/genesis/15-16 "Genesis 15:16 - The Iniquity of the Amorites"). God had patiently waited for centuries for them to repent. The purpose of *cherem* was twofold: first, to execute divine justice against extreme and persistent evil, and second, to prevent the pagan practices and moral depravity of the Canaanites from corrupting the Israelites, thereby ensuring the spiritual purity of God's chosen people and the holiness of the Promised Land, as explicitly commanded in [Deuteronomy 7:2-6](/deuteronomy/7-2-6 "Deuteronomy 7:2-6 - Command to Utterly Destroy"). This was a unique directive for this specific historical period of conquest and is not a model for warfare, evangelism, or any other human endeavor today.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 10:40, with its stark depiction of divine judgment and complete conquest, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound reinterpretation in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. While Joshua's conquest was physical, establishing a temporal land for a physical people, Christ's conquest is spiritual and eternal, establishing a kingdom not of this world. Jesus is the true and greater Joshua, leading His people not into a geographical land, but into eternal salvation and glorious freedom from the dominion of sin, Satan, and death. The "utter destruction" of the Canaanites foreshadows Christ's decisive and complete victory over all spiritual enemies: sin, Satan, and death itself. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross and His glorious resurrection, Jesus "disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him" ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). He utterly destroyed the power and dominion of sin in the lives of believers, enabling them to "put to death, therefore, what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry" ([Colossians 3:5](/colossians/3-5 "Colossians 3:5 - Put to Death Earthly Things")). Just as Joshua perfectly obeyed the LORD's command, Jesus perfectly fulfilled the will of His Father, even to the point of sacrificial death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience")). He is the obedient Son who brings about the ultimate and eternal judgment of evil, and through Him, believers are brought into a new covenant, where the battle is spiritual, and the victory is eternally assured by His finished work ([Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Spiritual Warfare")).

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.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 7:2

And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, [and] utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them:

Deuteronomy 7:16

And thou shalt consume all the people which the LORD thy God shall deliver thee; thine eye shall have no pity upon them: neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that [will be] a snare unto thee.

Joshua 9:24

And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the LORD thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you, therefore we were sore afraid of our lives because of you, and have done this thing.

Joshua 10:37

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.

Exodus 23:31

And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee.

Exodus 23:33

They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee.

Deuteronomy 20:16

But of the cities of these people, which the LORD thy God doth give thee [for] an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth: