Joshua 10 4

Joshua 10:4 kjv

Come up unto me, and help me, that we may smite Gibeon: for it hath made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel.

Joshua 10:4 nkjv

"Come up to me and help me, that we may attack Gibeon, for it has made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel."

Joshua 10:4 niv

"Come up and help me attack Gibeon," he said, "because it has made peace with Joshua and the Israelites."

Joshua 10:4 esv

"Come up to me and help me, and let us strike Gibeon. For it has made peace with Joshua and with the people of Israel."

Joshua 10:4 nlt

"Come and help me destroy Gibeon," he urged them, "for they have made peace with Joshua and the people of Israel."

Joshua 10 verses

Joshua 10 4 Meaning

Joshua 10:4 details the immediate reaction of Adoni-Zedek, the Amorite king of Jerusalem, to the Gibeonites' unexpected treaty with Israel. Recognizing this treaty as a significant threat to the united Canaanite front against the Israelite invasion, Adoni-Zedek calls upon four other powerful Amorite kings to join him in a punitive attack against Gibeon. This act reveals the panic among the Canaanite city-states and their perception of Gibeon's actions as a betrayal that destabilized their defense. It also sets the stage for God's dramatic intervention in support of Israel and the Gibeonites, leading to a decisive victory for the Israelites and the further conquest of the land.

Joshua 10 4 Context

Joshua chapter 10 marks a pivotal turning point in Israel's conquest of Canaan. Prior to this, Joshua and Israel had achieved decisive victories, notably at Jericho and Ai, which instilled great fear throughout the land. Chapter 9 describes how the Gibeonites, despite being within the territory designated for destruction (Deut 7:1-5), skillfully deceived Israel into making a peace treaty, sparing their lives (though they were made servants). Joshua 10:4 immediately follows this event. The Amorite kings, led by Adoni-Zedek of Jerusalem, perceived the Gibeonites' treaty with Israel as an act of treason and a breach of common defense against the advancing Israelites. Their unified attack on Gibeon was an attempt to punish them and halt the Israelite progression, reflecting the Canaanite strategy of forming defensive alliances against the common enemy, Israel. This verse, therefore, serves as the catalyst for the southern campaign, where God would powerfully intervene for Israel.

Joshua 10 4 Word analysis

• Come up: עֲלוּ ('alu), an imperative plural verb. This signifies an urgent, authoritative summons, typical for military rallying. It implies the geographic elevation of Jerusalem relative to Gibeon, or simply a call to assemble for war.
• to me and help me: עִזְרֻנִי ('izruni), combining the preposition "to" and the imperative plural "help" with a first-person singular suffix. This is a direct, desperate plea for military aid. Adoni-Zedek positions himself as the leader and recipient of their support, highlighting Jerusalem's status among the Canaanite city-states.
• and let us attack: וְנַכֶּה (ve'nakkeh), a conjunction ("and") plus a hiphil imperfect (jussive) verb. The hiphil stem intensifies the meaning to "cause to strike down" or "smite decisively." It conveys a shared, violent purpose, a call to mutual aggressive action. This is not just a defensive maneuver but a planned, destructive assault.
• Gibeon: גִּבְעוֹן (Gib'on), the city whose inhabitants tricked Israel into a treaty. The focus on Gibeon here underscores its strategic importance and the perception of its betrayal.
• for it has made peace: כִּי־הִשְׁלִימָה (ki-hishlimah), "for" or "because" followed by the hiphil perfect verb from shalom (peace, wholeness). This "making peace" implies entering into a formal, binding agreement or covenant, often signifying submission or alliance. To Adoni-Zedek and his allies, this act was not merely ceasing hostilities but a betrayal of the collective Canaanite struggle.
• with Joshua and with the people of Israel: עִם־יְהוֹשֻׁעַ וְעִם־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל ('im Yehoshua' ve'im Bnei Yisrael). The repeated preposition 'im ("with") emphasizes the formal and comprehensive nature of Gibeon's treaty. It was not just with the leader, Joshua, but with the entire nation of Israel. This made Gibeon a formal defector and a threat to the regional alliance of Amorite kings.

Joshua 10 4 Bonus section

• The prominence of Jerusalem at this early stage, under king Adoni-Zedek, is noteworthy. It suggests Jerusalem already held a significant political or strategic role among the city-states in the region long before King David made it his capital.
• The fear described among the Canaanite kings echoes prophecies and earlier accounts in Exodus and Deuteronomy, where the dread of YHWH and His people would fall upon the inhabitants of Canaan, foreshadowing their defeat (Exod 15:15-16; Deut 2:25; 11:25).
• This verse indirectly sets up one of the most miraculous events in biblical history – the sun and moon standing still (Josh 10:12-14) – demonstrating God's supernatural power and direct involvement in Israel's battles, even in situations initiated by deception.

Joshua 10 4 Commentary

Joshua 10:4 reveals the profound ripple effect of Gibeon's cunning treaty. The fear of Israel's military success, epitomized by Jericho and Ai, compelled Gibeon to seek a deceptive peace. This verse shows that action then spurred an intense reaction among the remaining Amorite kings, led by Jerusalem. Their alliance to attack Gibeon highlights their belief in the sacredness of regional defense pacts and the severity of perceived betrayal. The kings' gathering against Gibeon, though an act of human initiative born of fear and strategic assessment, ironically sets the stage for God's even greater intervention, leading to Israel's comprehensive victory in the south. This moment underscores divine sovereignty; even the strategic maneuvers of enemies unwittingly serve God's greater plan to grant Israel possession of the land.