Joshua 10:7

¶ So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valour.

So Joshua {H3091} ascended {H5927} from Gilgal {H1537}, he, and all the people {H5971} of war {H4421} with him, and all the mighty {H1368} men of valour {H2428}.

Y'hoshua went up from Gilgal, he and all the fighting men with him, including all the bravest ones.

So Joshua and his whole army, including all the mighty men of valor, came from Gilgal.

So Joshua went up from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor.

Commentary

Joshua 10:7 describes the immediate and decisive action taken by Joshua and the Israelite army in response to a critical plea for help. This verse sets the stage for one of the most significant battles in the conquest of Canaan.

Context

This verse is pivotal in the narrative of Israel's conquest of the Promised Land. Just prior to this, the Gibeonites, a Hivite people, had deceptively secured a peace treaty with Israel (see Joshua 9:15). Incensed by this alliance with Israel, a coalition of five Amorite kings—from Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon—formed to attack Gibeon. The Gibeonites, now allied with Israel, sent an urgent message to Joshua at their base camp in Gilgal, pleading for immediate assistance (Joshua 10:6). Joshua's swift departure from Gilgal, a significant encampment site for Israel since their entry into Canaan (Joshua 5:9), demonstrates his commitment to the covenant and his role as military leader.

Key Themes

  • Decisive Leadership: Joshua immediately mobilizes the entire fighting force, showcasing prompt and effective leadership in a crisis. There is no hesitation, only a rapid response to the Gibeonites' distress call.
  • Commitment to Covenant: Joshua's action underscores Israel's commitment to the treaty, even one entered into deceptively. This highlights the sanctity of oaths in ancient Near Eastern culture and within God's covenant people.
  • Military Readiness: The verse emphasizes the full mobilization of "all the people of war" and "all the mighty men of valour." This speaks to Israel's preparedness and strength, though ultimately their victory would come from divine intervention (Joshua 10:8).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "mighty men of valour" translates the Hebrew gibborim chayil (גִּבּוֹרֵי חַיִל). Gibborim refers to strong, valiant, or heroic individuals, while chayil can denote strength, wealth, or military might. Together, it paints a picture of highly capable, skilled, and courageous warriors, ready for battle. Joshua did not go with a small contingent but with the full force of Israel's elite fighters, indicating the gravity of the situation and the scale of the impending conflict.

Practical Application

Joshua's response in this verse offers several lessons for believers today:

  • Respond Swiftly to Need: Just as Joshua responded to the Gibeonites' urgent plea, we are called to be attentive and swift in responding to the needs of others, especially those under our care or covenant.
  • Act on God's Promises: Though not explicitly stated in this verse, Joshua's confidence to ascend so quickly was rooted in God's prior assurance that He would deliver the Amorites into Israel's hand (Joshua 10:8). Our actions should likewise be founded on faith in God's unfailing promises.
  • Be Prepared: The verse highlights the importance of being ready for challenges. Spiritual and practical preparation allows us to act decisively when called upon, knowing that God empowers His people for the tasks He sets before them.
Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Joshua 8:1

    ¶ And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land:

  • Isaiah 8:12

    Say ye not, A confederacy, to all [them to] whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.

  • Isaiah 8:14

    And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
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