Joshua 10 39

Joshua 10:39 kjv

And he took it, and the king thereof, and all the cities thereof; and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed all the souls that were therein; he left none remaining: as he had done to Hebron, so he did to Debir, and to the king thereof; as he had done also to Libnah, and to her king.

Joshua 10:39 nkjv

And he took it and its king and all its cities; they struck them with the edge of the sword and utterly destroyed all the people who were in it. He left none remaining; as he had done to Hebron, so he did to Debir and its king, as he had done also to Libnah and its king.

Joshua 10:39 niv

They took the city, its king and its villages, and put them to the sword. Everyone in it they totally destroyed. They left no survivors. They did to Debir and its king as they had done to Libnah and its king and to Hebron.

Joshua 10:39 esv

and he captured it with its king and all its towns. And they struck them with the edge of the sword and devoted to destruction every person in it; he left none remaining. Just as he had done to Hebron and to Libnah and its king, so he did to Debir and to its king.

Joshua 10:39 nlt

He captured the town, its king, and all of its surrounding villages. He completely destroyed everyone in it, leaving no survivors. He did to Debir and its king just what he had done to Hebron and to Libnah and its king.

Joshua 10 verses

Joshua 10 39 Meaning

Joshua chapter 10, verse 39 describes the capture and utter destruction of the city of Debir by Joshua and the Israelite army. This event marks a continuation of God's judgment upon the wicked inhabitants of Canaan and the fulfillment of His promise to give the land to Israel. Every person and city connected with Debir was destroyed without survivor, just as had been done to Hebron, Libnah, and their kings, demonstrating a consistent execution of divine command and a complete victory in the southern campaign.

Joshua 10 39 Context

Joshua 10 chronicles the swift and decisive southern campaign of Israel against five allied Amorite kings who attacked Gibeon. God intervened miraculously with hailstones and caused the sun to stand still, ensuring Israel's victory. Following this, Joshua executed the five kings and then embarked on a series of rapid conquests, one after another, systematically "utterly destroying" the cities of Makkedah, Libnah, Lachish, Eglon, Hebron, and finally, Debir. Verse 39, therefore, marks the climax of this particular phase of the conquest, solidifying Israel's control over significant parts of the southern hill country of Canaan. The repeated emphasis on "utterly destroyed" and "no survivor" underscores the herem principle (devoted for destruction), a unique divine command for the complete removal of the morally corrupt Canaanite nations, who engaged in extreme idolatry, child sacrifice, and pervasive immorality, in order to cleanse the land and protect Israel from spiritual contamination.

Joshua 10 39 Word analysis

• And: Hebrew waw (ו), connecting this action seamlessly to the previous conquests. It indicates continuity and the methodical progress of Joshua's campaign.
• Joshua: Hebrew Yehoshu'a (יְהוֹשֻׁעַ). Means "The Lord is salvation" or "The Lord saves." He is God's chosen leader for the conquest, acting under divine authority and demonstrating obedient faith.
• returned: Hebrew shuv (שׁוּב), implying a movement back to a certain region or point of origin to then attack Debir, or simply to consolidate operations in that general area after the major engagements. It indicates strategic maneuvering.
• and all Israel with him: Emphasizes the collective unity and involvement of the entire fighting force, highlighting their obedience to Joshua and ultimately to God. This was not a small skirmish but a national military effort.
• to Debir: Hebrew Devir (דְּבִיר). A significant city in the hill country of Judah, known in ancient times. It was also called Kirjath-sepher, "city of the book" or "city of scribes," suggesting it may have been a center of learning or records for the Canaanites. Its conquest was strategic for controlling the southern highlands.
• and fought against it: Direct military engagement. The immediate verb indicates a new, distinct battle.
• He captured it: Signifies the success of the military siege or assault. This was a decisive victory.
• and its king: The elimination or capture of the leadership was crucial for complete control and dismantling the local power structure. Kings were central to their cities' defense and identity.
• and all its cities: Suggests that Debir was the central city of a small regional cluster or confederacy, and the defeat extended beyond just the core city to its surrounding settlements, ensuring thorough conquest.
• and they struck them with the edge of the sword: A common ancient Near Eastern phrase denoting a brutal and thorough killing by battle or execution. It signifies deadly and overwhelming force.
• and utterly destroyed: Hebrew chakharim (הֶחֱרִים) from the root charam (חָרַם). This is the pivotal theological term herem, meaning "to devote," "to ban," or "to destroy utterly." It implies that people and things are set apart for God, in this case for His judgment and destruction. Nothing devoted to herem could be kept for personal gain; it was consecrated for divine judgment. This specific form of warfare was commanded by God to cleanse the land of extreme moral corruption.
• every person in it: Reaffirms the totality of the herem command. It was a complete removal of the population.
• He left no survivor: Further emphasizes the complete and uncompromising nature of the destruction. No individual was spared. This reinforced the cleansing of the land from sin and the removal of temptation for Israel to adopt Canaanite practices.
• as he had done to Hebron: Provides an immediate reference point within Joshua 10 (verse 37). It shows the consistency of God's command and Joshua's obedience. This wasn't an isolated act but part of a systematic divine plan.
• so he did to Debir: Direct comparison and confirmation that the same comprehensive and total destruction was applied, fulfilling the repeated pattern.
• and as he had done to Libnah and its king: Another specific reference within Joshua 10 (verse 30), further highlighting the uniform application of the herem command across different cities in this campaign. This consistent pattern showcases God's determined judgment and Israel's obedience.

Joshua 10 39 Bonus section

The conquest of Debir, alongside the other cities in Joshua 10, completes a phase of intense military activity designed by God to break the power of the southern Canaanite kingdoms. The consistency of "as he had done to Hebron" and "to Libnah" showcases a pre-determined, divinely directed strategy, executed with disciplined obedience by Joshua. This methodical conquest points to God's patient yet resolute unfolding of His redemptive plan, beginning with His call to Abraham and culminating in His people inheriting the land He promised. From a broader biblical perspective, the herem concept, though challenging to modern sensibilities, served a specific redemptive purpose in ancient Israel: to create a theocratic nation distinct from its pagan neighbors, paving the way for the coming Messiah.

Joshua 10 39 Commentary

Joshua 10:39 is more than a simple historical battle account; it is a theological statement on God's just judgment and His faithfulness to His covenant promises. The recurring phrase "utterly destroyed" (Hebrew: herem) is crucial. It signifies a special, consecrated form of destruction unique to the conquest of Canaan, necessitated by the extreme depravity and wickedness of its inhabitants (Lev 18:24-28, Deut 9:5). This was not gratuitous violence, but a judicial act of God, cleansing the promised land from widespread idolatry, child sacrifice, and sexual immorality that would otherwise corrupt His chosen people. The consistent application of this decree across cities like Hebron, Libnah, and Debir highlights Joshua's unwavering obedience and God's sovereign hand guiding the conquest. It reinforces that the land of Israel was to be holy ground for a holy people, free from the spiritual pollutants of their predecessors. This event served as a stark warning against idolatry for Israel and demonstrated God's power to fulfill His word and secure the inheritance for His people.