Joshua 10 42

Joshua 10:42 kjv

And all these kings and their land did Joshua take at one time, because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel.

Joshua 10:42 nkjv

All these kings and their land Joshua took at one time, because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel.

Joshua 10:42 niv

All these kings and their lands Joshua conquered in one campaign, because the LORD, the God of Israel, fought for Israel.

Joshua 10:42 esv

And Joshua captured all these kings and their land at one time, because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel.

Joshua 10:42 nlt

Joshua conquered all these kings and their land in a single campaign, for the LORD, the God of Israel, was fighting for his people.

Joshua 10 verses

Joshua 10 42 Meaning

Joshua 10:42 encapsulates the grand theological truth concerning the successful conquest of the southern Canaanite kingdoms: the victories achieved were not due to Israel's military might or Joshua's strategy alone, but wholly attributable to the direct and active intervention of the LORD God of Israel, who fought on behalf of His people. It signifies the divine authorship and sovereign power behind the swift, unified campaign that led to the capture of all the kings and their territories in that region.

Joshua 10 42 Context

Joshua chapter 10 recounts the significant southern campaign of the Israelite conquest. It begins with the Amorite coalition led by Adoni-Zedek of Jerusalem attacking Gibeon for making peace with Israel. Joshua, honoring the covenant with Gibeon, rushes to their aid. The chapter highlights extraordinary divine intervention, including a miraculous hailstorm upon Israel's enemies and the sun and moon standing still, allowing for prolonged daylight to complete the victory. Following this decisive battle, Joshua pursues, captures, and executes the five Amorite kings in Makkedah, then swiftly proceeds to conquer and devote to destruction a series of major southern Canaanite cities: Libnah, Lachish, Eglon, Hebron, and Debir. Verse 42 serves as a concluding summary statement for this rapid and successful southern campaign, reinforcing the underlying theological explanation for Israel's military success throughout these events.

Joshua 10 42 Word analysis

• All these kings and their lands: Refers specifically to the defeated kings of the southern campaign as detailed in Joshua 10, particularly the five Amorite kings and those of Libnah, Lachish, Eglon, Hebron, and Debir. It emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the conquest, not just scattered skirmishes but systematic overthrow of powerful entities.
• Joshua took: Hebrew: וְאֵת (ve'et) - a direct object marker, indicating possession. "Took" implies active seizure and conquering, signifying a definitive victory and ownership over the territories previously held by these kings.
• at one time: Hebrew: פַּעַם אַחַת (paʿam ʾaḥat). The word "פַּעַם" can mean "foot," "stroke," or "occurrence," while "אַחַת" means "one." Together, it signifies a unified, singular, and often rapid sequence of events or actions. This highlights the concentrated effort and divine speed of the campaign. It underscores that this vast conquest was not a drawn-out, fragmented process but a swift, cohesive operation orchestrated by divine power. It suggests the enemies were overcome swiftly, within a single military offensive or season, underscoring the remarkable and supernatural efficiency of the conquest rather than a piecemeal, multi-year process for each city.
• because: Hebrew: כִּי (ki). A conjunction that introduces the reason or explanation for the preceding statement. It establishes the causal link between God's action and Israel's success.
• the LORD God of Israel: Hebrew: יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל (YHWH Elohei Yisrael). This full divine title is highly significant.
  • YHWH: The covenant name of God, revealed to Moses, emphasizing God's personal, immutable, and relational nature, particularly with His covenant people Israel. It speaks of His eternal existence and faithfulness.
  • Elohei: A plural form of God, signifying the ultimate divine authority and power (God as Creator, Sovereign Ruler). The use of the plural emphasizes the majesty and fullness of the one God.
  • Yisrael: "Of Israel" highlights His specific covenant relationship and chosenness of the nation. It reinforces that the victories are directly connected to His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob regarding the land. This designation serves as a direct polemic against the numerous local deities of Canaan (e.g., Baal, Molech) who were believed to protect specific regions or cities. It proclaims that the God of Israel is not merely one god among many, nor is His power limited to Israel's borders, but He is the supreme God, the God of all creation, and specifically the one who fights for and keeps covenant with Israel, overriding the power of any pagan deity.
• fought for Israel: Hebrew: נִלְחַם לְיִשְׂרָאֵל (nilḥam l'Yisrael).
  • נִלְחַם: (Niphal form of לָחַם - laḥam, "to fight") The passive voice here implies that God Himself was actively engaged in the combat. It isn't merely that God blessed Israel's efforts, but He Himself was the primary belligerent, working supernaturally on their behalf. This underscores God as the "Divine Warrior" theme prevalent throughout the Pentateuch and historical books. It includes not just strategic guidance or morale boosting, but direct, decisive, and overwhelming intervention (like the hailstones or extended daylight). This truth liberates Israel from relying on their own limited strength and prevents them from boasting in human achievement, compelling them to attribute all glory to the LORD.

Joshua 10 42 Bonus section

The concept of God fighting for His people is a recurring motif in the Bible, rooted in Exodus where God delivered Israel from Egypt. It is not merely a metaphor; it represents tangible, supernatural acts that influence the course of battles and history. This theological truth shaped Israel's self-understanding and worship. It meant that their success was contingent upon their faithfulness to Him, rather than their military preparedness. This pattern continues through the books of Judges, Samuel, and Kings, emphasizing that victory or defeat consistently hinges on the nation's relationship with YHWH. This verse, like the rest of Joshua, serves as an extended demonstration that the promises made by God would be faithfully kept by Him, thus solidifying the foundation of the nation of Israel on the certainty of divine performance rather than human prowess.

Joshua 10 42 Commentary

Joshua 10:42 serves as a pivotal theological declaration summarizing the southern conquest. It transcends a mere military report, providing the divine interpretation of history. The success Israel experienced, encompassing "all these kings and their lands" in such a rapid, "one time" fashion, was impossible through human might alone. This statement firmly grounds Israel's unparalleled victory in the direct, active participation of the LORD. By stating "the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel," the verse highlights several profound truths: God's covenant faithfulness to His promises of giving the land (Gen 12:7, Deut 7:1-2), His supreme power over all human and natural forces, and His specific commitment to His chosen people. It debunks any notion that the victories were due to Israel's superior military strategy or strength, and firmly counters the Canaanite belief in regional gods who failed to protect their worshippers. This verse calls believers, in all ages, to recognize that genuine, lasting triumphs, especially in spiritual warfare, ultimately stem from God's active intervention and not human effort. For practical application, it encourages profound trust and reliance on God when facing overwhelming challenges, reminding us that "the battle is the LORD's" (1 Sam 17:47).