Joshua 10 31

Joshua 10:31 kjv

And Joshua passed from Libnah, and all Israel with him, unto Lachish, and encamped against it, and fought against it:

Joshua 10:31 nkjv

Then Joshua passed from Libnah, and all Israel with him, to Lachish; and they encamped against it and fought against it.

Joshua 10:31 niv

Then Joshua and all Israel with him moved on from Libnah to Lachish; he took up positions against it and attacked it.

Joshua 10:31 esv

Then Joshua and all Israel with him passed on from Libnah to Lachish and laid siege to it and fought against it.

Joshua 10:31 nlt

From Libnah, Joshua and the Israelites went to Lachish and attacked it.

Joshua 10 verses

Joshua 10 31 Meaning

Joshua 10:31 records the Israelites' military movement under Joshua's leadership. After conquering Libnah, the Israelite army, along with Joshua, advanced towards Lachish, a prominent Canaanite city in the Shephelah (lowlands). Upon reaching Lachish, they established a siege camp around it and immediately engaged in battle, marking the next critical phase in their divinely commanded conquest of the promised land. This verse highlights the continuous and aggressive military campaign, orchestrated by God, to dispossess the inhabitants of Canaan.

Joshua 10 31 Context

Joshua 10 describes a pivotal series of events in the conquest of Canaan. It begins with the Amorite kings forming a confederacy to attack Gibeon after they made a treaty with Israel. Gibeon appealed to Joshua for help. God intervened miraculously with large hailstones, and the sun and moon stood still, allowing Israel to utterly rout the Amorite kings. This swift, overwhelming victory led to a rapid pursuit and the subsequent conquest of several southern cities: Makkedah, Libnah, and then Lachish, followed by Eglon, Hebron, and Debir. Joshua 10:31, therefore, immediately follows the conquest of Libnah (10:29-30) and signals the next critical target in this southern campaign. Lachish was a major fortified Canaanite city, known for its strategic importance and strong defenses, representing a significant challenge to the Israelites' advance. The systematic progression from one conquered city to the next demonstrates God's consistent deliverance and Israel's determined execution of the divine command to possess the land, remove its wicked inhabitants, and establish a nation holy to Him. This entire campaign also served as a stark polemic against the regional polytheism, human sacrifice, and depraved religious practices of the Canaanites, asserting the absolute sovereignty and righteous judgment of YHWH.

Joshua 10 31 Word analysis

• Then Joshua passed (וַיַּעֲבֹר יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, wayyaʿăvōr Yĕhôshúaʿ):
  • וַיַּעֲבֹר (wayyaʿăvōr): From the verb עָבַר (ʿāvar), meaning "to pass over," "cross over," "go across." This denotes deliberate and decisive movement, often associated with a military advance or transition. It echoes the crossing of the Jordan (Josh 3-4) and signifies continuous progress in the conquest, indicating no pause in the campaign. It underscores Joshua's role as the military commander actively leading the campaign, not merely observing.
  • יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (Yĕhôshúaʿ): "Joshua" - meaning "The Lord is salvation" or "The Lord saves." His name reflects the very nature of the conquest: God bringing salvation (deliverance from bondage, possession of the land) through His chosen leader.
• from Libnah (מִלִּבְנָה, mil·Livenāh):
  • לִבְנָה (Libnāh): A city recently captured, highlighting the sequential nature of the campaign. Its name means "whiteness," possibly referring to its limestone quarries or being a place of bright, clear skies. Moving "from" indicates its complete subjugation and that the focus is now shifted to the next objective.
• and all Israel with him (וְכָל־יִשְׂרָאֵל עִמּוֹ, wĕḵāl-Yiśrāʾēl ʿimmô):
  • כָּל־יִשְׂרָאֵל (kāl-Yiśrāʾēl): "all Israel." This emphasizes the unified effort of the entire nation, not just a small task force. It underscores corporate obedience to God's command and unified participation in His holy war. This collective action signifies that the divine commission for conquest rests upon the entire community of Israel.
  • עִמּוֹ (ʿimmô): "with him," meaning "with Joshua." This confirms Joshua's central leadership role, but also the solidarity and immediate following of the entire army, reinforcing their commitment and the efficiency of the campaign.
• to Lachish (לָכִישָׁה, lāḵîshāh):
  • לָכִישָׁה (Lāḵîshāh): "Lachish." This was one of the most significant and strongly fortified Canaanite cities, a major administrative and military center in the Shephelah. Its conquest was critical for securing control of the southern lowlands and was a prime target for a strategic campaign. Archaeologically, Lachish is well-attested as a powerful fortress, with evidence of multiple destructions corresponding to various biblical accounts, including its fall to Joshua. Its strategic location meant controlling access routes and fertile lands, making its capture highly impactful.
• and encamped against it (וַיַּחַן עָלֶיהָ, wayyaḥan ʿāleyhā):
  • וַיַּחַן (wayyaḥan): From the verb חָנָה (ḥānāh), meaning "to encamp," "to pitch a tent," or "to lay siege to." Here, it specifically denotes the establishment of a military camp for besieging a city. It signifies a deliberate and systematic approach to warfare, not a hasty attack. It implies preparation for a sustained assault.
• and fought against it (וַיִּלָּחֶם בָּהּ, wayyilāḥem bāh):
  • וַיִּלָּחֶם (wayyilāḥem): From the verb לָחַם (lāḥam), "to fight," "to wage war." This indicates immediate military engagement upon encamping. It implies that the siege was not a mere blockade, but involved active fighting, suggesting that Lachish offered strong resistance and the battle was intense from the outset. This direct combat emphasizes the execution of God's command to fight and utterly dispossess.

Joshua 10 31 Bonus section

The archaeological site of Lachish (Tel Lachish) is one of the most extensively excavated in Israel, providing significant external corroboration for the biblical narrative. Layers of destruction consistent with a sudden, overwhelming conquest in the Late Bronze Age (around the time of Joshua) have been found. The monumental city walls and gate complex uncovered attest to Lachish's formidable nature, confirming its importance as a major target. Later, during the divided kingdom period, Lachish continued to be a crucial stronghold and faced multiple attacks, including a famous siege by Sennacherib of Assyria (depicted on the Lachish Reliefs in the British Museum). The Israelite campaign against cities like Lachish also has theological implications beyond just military strategy. It was a tangible act of establishing YHWH's sovereignty and righteousness over land steeped in deeply corrupt and inhumane religious practices (like cultic prostitution and child sacrifice). The 'herem' or utter destruction commanded here was an extreme measure to prevent syncretism and protect Israel's nascent monotheistic faith, serving as a powerful demonstration of God's holy wrath against profound evil.

Joshua 10 31 Commentary

Joshua 10:31, though concise, paints a vivid picture of a disciplined, divinely directed military campaign. Following the initial breakthrough with the Amorite kings, Joshua and "all Israel" moved swiftly and methodically from one strategic target to the next. The choice of Lachish was no accident; its formidable defenses and commanding position meant its fall would demoralize other Canaanite strongholds and significantly solidify Israel's control over the crucial Shephelah region. The phrase "encamped against it, and fought against it" is a precise military idiom signifying a full siege and immediate, forceful assault. This verse exemplifies Israel's obedient pursuit of the divinely mandated task, demonstrating their reliance on God's strength for victory and their willingness to engage directly in the often brutal, yet necessary, work of fulfilling His will. It reinforces the themes of corporate obedience, God's active leading in conquest, and the systematic dismantling of Canaanite idolatry and wickedness. The rapid succession of conquests underscores the divine imperative and the urgency of establishing a holy nation in the promised land, leaving no space for compromise with pagan practices.