Joshua 10 35

Joshua 10:35 kjv

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.

Joshua 10:35 nkjv

They took it on that day and struck it with the edge of the sword; all the people who were in it he utterly destroyed that day, according to all that he had done to Lachish.

Joshua 10:35 niv

They captured it that same day and put it to the sword and totally destroyed everyone in it, just as they had done to Lachish.

Joshua 10:35 esv

And they captured it on that day, and struck it with the edge of the sword. And he devoted every person in it to destruction that day, as he had done to Lachish.

Joshua 10:35 nlt

They captured it that day and killed everyone in it. He completely destroyed everyone, just as he had done at Lachish.

Joshua 10 verses

Joshua 10 35 Meaning

Joshua 10:35 describes the immediate and complete conquest of the city of Eglon by the Israelites. It records that on the same day they captured it, they struck its inhabitants with the sword, utterly destroying every person within the city. This destruction was carried out precisely in the same manner as the earlier conquest of Libnah, demonstrating a consistent pattern of applying God's command regarding the hostile Canaanite cities.

Joshua 10 35 Context

Joshua 10:35 is situated within the narrative of Israel's southern campaign against a coalition of Amorite kings led by Adoni-zedek of Jerusalem. This campaign began in response to these kings attacking Gibeon, who had made a treaty with Israel. After a miraculous victory near Gibeon (where the sun stood still), Joshua and the Israelites relentlessly pursued and destroyed the enemy kings and their cities. Eglon's capture is part of a series of quick, successive destructions: Makkedah (Josh 10:28), Libnah (Josh 10:29-32), and then Eglon (Josh 10:34-35). This entire chapter emphasizes the swift and complete execution of God's command for the destruction of the Canaanites, serving as both divine judgment against the land's wickedness and the fulfillment of God's covenant promise to give Israel the land.

Joshua 10 35 Word analysis

• And they captured it (וַיִּלְכְּדֻהָּהּ - vayilkehdhuhah): From the Hebrew verb lakad (לָכַד), meaning "to seize," "to capture," or "to take." It signifies a successful military conquest, implying strategic movement and execution leading to the city's fall. The immediate sense conveyed is one of decisive victory.
• on that day (בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא - bayom hahu): This phrase emphasizes the immediacy and speed of the conquest. It highlights the sustained momentum of Israel's military campaign and the divine enabling that allowed for such rapid victories. The repetition (it appears twice in the verse) underscores the swift execution of judgment.
• and struck it (וַיַּכּוּהָ - vayakkuhah): From the Hebrew verb nakah (נָכָה), meaning "to strike," "to smite," or "to hit." Here it refers to the killing of the city's inhabitants, specifically applying lethal force. It is the direct action of inflicting death upon the population.
• with the edge of the sword (לְפִי־חֶרֶב - lephi-cherev): Literally "by the mouth of the sword." This is an ancient Hebrew idiom indicating utter destruction by military force. The "mouth" metaphorically represents the blade's cutting, devouring capability, conveying a total, consuming act of slaying with the sword. It is a standard description of wholesale slaughter in biblical warfare.
• and every person in it (וְאֵת כָּל־נֶפֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר־בָּהּ - v’et kol-nefesh asher-bah): "Nefesh" (נֶפֶשׁ) means "soul," "life," or "person." "Every nefesh" emphasizes the universality of the destruction within the city. It indicates no one was spared – women, children, and men – a full and complete judgment without exception, directed against all who resided there.
• they utterly destroyed (הֶחֱרִים - hecherim): From the Hebrew verb charam (חָרַם), meaning "to devote," "to consecrate," or "to utterly destroy." This is the theological concept of herem. It's not mere killing; it's dedicating the enemy and their possessions to God for destruction as an act of consecration and judgment. The object of herem is seen as impure and offensive to God, thus to be removed completely from existence within His holy land. This act demonstrated God's absolute holiness and judgment against pagan idolatry and depravity.
• on that day (בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא - bayom hahu): Repeated emphasis on the speed and finality of the action, mirroring its earlier use in the verse.
• according to all that they had done to Libnah (כְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר עָשׂוּ לְלִבְנָה - k’khol asher asu l’Livnah): This comparative phrase shows consistency and adherence to divine instruction. The destruction of Libnah (mentioned in Josh 10:29-32) served as the established pattern or precedent for subsequent conquests. It affirms Israel's obedience and the unified method of conquest across cities. This repetition underscores that these were not random acts, but consistent applications of the herem command as God had stipulated.

Joshua 10 35 Bonus section

The concept of herem in Joshua is unique to the historical conquest of Canaan and not a general command for all warfare throughout biblical history or for New Testament believers. It was a divinely mandated, singular act of judgment, specified by God Himself for the specific context of the Canaanites, whose wickedness was deep-seated and persistent. This total eradication ensured that their idolatrous and abominable practices would not corrupt Israel, preserving the purity of the monotheistic worship and the line through which the Messiah would come. It also functioned as a profound statement that the land belonged to Yahweh and was being purged of unholy elements before being inherited by His covenant people.

Joshua 10 35 Commentary

Joshua 10:35 details the capture and complete devastation of Eglon, underscoring several profound theological truths. Firstly, it showcases God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Israel by delivering the land into their hands (Gen 12:7, Josh 1:6). Secondly, it vividly portrays divine justice against the wickedness of the Canaanite nations, whose idolatry, immorality, and child sacrifice had filled up the measure of their iniquity (Lev 18:24-28, Gen 15:16). The "utter destruction" (herem) was not wanton violence but a consecration to God for judgment, removing a moral blight from the land and preventing the defilement of Israel. This absolute decree, uniquely given for a specific time and people, highlights God's sovereignty over life and death and His unyielding holiness. It serves as a stark reminder that prolonged sin invites God's righteous wrath, executed either directly or through human agents as instruments of His will.For instance, believers today understand that God is equally just in dealing with sin (Rom 6:23), but He now operates primarily through spiritual warfare against sin and evil in the hearts of humanity, not physical warfare against nations (2 Cor 10:3-5, Eph 6:12).