Joshua 10 21

Joshua 10:21 kjv

And all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace: none moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel.

Joshua 10:21 nkjv

And all the people returned to the camp, to Joshua at Makkedah, in peace. No one moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel.

Joshua 10:21 niv

The whole army then returned safely to Joshua in the camp at Makkedah, and no one uttered a word against the Israelites.

Joshua 10:21 esv

then all the people returned safe to Joshua in the camp at Makkedah. Not a man moved his tongue against any of the people of Israel.

Joshua 10:21 nlt

Then the Israelites returned safely to Joshua in the camp at Makkedah. After that, no one dared to speak even a word against Israel.

Joshua 10 verses

Joshua 10 21 Meaning

This verse describes the immediate aftermath of Israel's decisive victory over the five Amorite kings at Gibeon, specifically their return to the camp. It highlights the completeness of their safety and the pervasive peace established by divine intervention, indicating that not a single adverse word or sound was made against them, neither by internal dissent nor external opposition, signifying an absolute lack of threat and total divine favor.

Joshua 10 21 Context

Joshua 10:21 falls at a critical juncture in the narrative of Israel's conquest of Canaan. The chapter details one of the most significant and miraculous victories under Joshua's leadership. The five Amorite kings confederated to attack Gibeon after Gibeon made a peace treaty with Israel. Israel, honoring its covenant, marched to Gibeon's aid. God intervened directly, casting large hailstones from heaven, which killed more of the enemy than Israel's swords. Furthermore, the sun stood still, miraculously prolonging the day to allow for the complete defeat of the enemy forces. The five kings fled and hid in a cave at Makkedah, where they were later captured and executed. This verse concludes the immediate battle, indicating the people's successful and secure return to their staging camp at Makkedah before the extensive mopping-up operations and further conquest in the southern campaigns of Canaan begin (Josh 10:28-43). The immediate context emphasizes the overwhelming power of the Lord in delivering victory and securing His people.

Joshua 10 21 Word analysis

• And all the people (və·ḵol-hā·‘ām): Highlights the collective unity and involvement of the entire Israelite force. It emphasizes the scale of the operation and the unanimous return.
• returned (šāvū): Signifies completion and success. The military engagement was concluded, and the forces came back to their designated point. This implies a victorious conclusion rather than a retreat.
• to the camp (’el-ha-maḥăneh): Their central base of operations. The camp represents order, safety, and a point of authority under Joshua. It's the place of rest and strategic planning.
• to Joshua (’el-Yehōšua‘): Demonstrates the soldiers' continued obedience and accountability to their leader. It shows a disciplined return, affirming Joshua's authority in the success.
• at Makkedah (maq·qē·ḏāh): The specific geographic location where the camp was established after the battle, and where the captured kings were executed. This anchors the victory in a concrete historical place, emphasizing its reality. It's the scene of fresh triumph.
• safely (lə·šālōm - lit. "in peace" or "for peace"): This Hebrew term, shalom, means far more than mere absence of harm. It encompasses completeness, wholeness, well-being, prosperity, security, and tranquility. Here, it denotes that the troops returned not only unharmed but also free from any further threat, a deep and divinely given peace. It signifies the peace God bestows on those in covenant with Him, especially after a divine victory.
• no one moved his tongue (lō’-ḥāraṣ ’îš lə·šō·nōw):
  • no one (lō’-’îš): Absolutely not a single individual, emphasizing universality.
  • moved his tongue (ḥāraṣ lə·šō·nōw): This is a powerful idiom. Literally, "sharpened his tongue" or "made his tongue move/growl." It directly echoes Exod 11:7, where, before the final plague, it is promised that "against any of the people of Israel no dog shall growl with his tongue." This hyperbole implies total silence, peace, and awe. Not only were there no human enemies speaking out in defiance, protest, or fear, but not even a dog dared to bark. It indicates an utter absence of any challenge, opposition, or even nervous murmuring – both from external enemies (no survivor daring to complain) and internal (no one grumbling or expressing fear after such an astounding victory). It points to divine serenity and sovereignty extending even to creation itself, a demonstration of the pervasive fear instilled by God's works.
• against any of the people of Israel (bî·nê yiś·rā·’êl - lit. "among the sons of Israel"): Confirms the scope of the quietude. This implies both a lack of internal dissent or fear among the Israelites themselves and an absolute absence of any external complaint or verbal aggression directed towards them by remaining inhabitants.

Words-group analysis:

• And all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah safely: This phrase highlights the organized, unified, and divinely secured conclusion of a major military engagement. The success is attributed not merely to human strength, but to the Lord who granted them this safe return. The "safely" (shalom) confirms divine favor.
• no one moved his tongue against any of the people of Israel: This powerful expression underscores the supernatural peace and dominance that enveloped Israel. It goes beyond mere physical safety, indicating psychological security, a complete lack of any opposition or complaint, both internal and external. This miraculous silencing testifies to the awe-inspiring presence and power of the Lord who fought for His people, demonstrating His comprehensive control over all creation. It’s a sign that the land (and its remaining inhabitants) are in utter submission or paralysis, terrified by God's manifest power.

Joshua 10 21 Bonus section

The powerful idiomatic expression "no one moved his tongue" serves as an exclamation point on the scale of God's victory. Its parallel in Exodus 11:7 against a "dog" barking, reinforces that the victory was so absolute, and the fear instilled by God so pervasive, that it extended beyond human enemies to the very creatures of the land. This indicates a complete state of quiet and awe. This particular emphasis points to an overwhelming and miraculous level of divine protection and control. It signifies not just victory in battle but a complete moral and spiritual triumph, where all potential sources of resistance, complaint, or fear are entirely silenced. This silence, then, is a testament to the fact that "the battle is the LORD's" (1 Sam 17:47), and He is capable of establishing utter peace and dominion for His chosen people. It demonstrates a state of perfect repose, both physical and psychological, as a direct consequence of God’s intervention, underscoring the deep shalom that accompanies His victorious presence.

Joshua 10 21 Commentary

Joshua 10:21 succinctly encapsulates the divinely ordained success and security granted to Israel following one of the most astonishing victories in their conquest. The verse points to God's complete provision and protection, confirming His faithfulness to His covenant promises. The phrase "returned...safely" using the word shalom speaks to a profound, holistic well-being and security that is beyond human capability, indicative of God's peace resting upon His people. The profound detail "no one moved his tongue" serves as a striking hyperbole for absolute lack of opposition or threat. It recalls a similar expression from Exodus 11:7, emphasizing that not even an animal made an adverse sound, illustrating an unprecedented quietude and universal submission (or paralysis from fear) that marked the immediate aftermath of this divine triumph. This complete silence speaks volumes: it signifies the overwhelming awe of God's power among all, even animals, and reassures Israel that their God is indeed fighting for them. It confirms that the Lord had thoroughly routed their enemies, and had begun to instill such terror that none dared to raise a word, a sign of God fulfilling His promise to put the dread of Israel upon the surrounding peoples. This peace and lack of opposition also reflect Israel's collective unity and obedience, contributing to the manifest presence of God's favor.

Examples:

• Similar to how the peace of Christ guards the believer's heart, Joshua's Israel experienced a supernatural peace after the battle.
• When God works, He can silence opposition (Isa 54:17), leading to unquestionable triumph.