And the LORD threw them into confusion before Israel, who defeated them in a great slaughter at Gibeon, pursued them along the ascent to Beth-horon, and struck them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah. And the LORD threw them into confusionThe phrase "the LORD threw them into confusion" highlights the divine intervention in the battle. The Hebrew word for "threw into confusion" is "hamam," which can mean to disturb or discomfit. This indicates that God actively participated in the battle, causing panic and disorder among the enemy forces. Historically, this reflects the belief that God fights for His people, a recurring theme in the Old Testament. The confusion among the enemy can be seen as a fulfillment of God's promise to protect and deliver Israel, reinforcing the idea that victory comes from divine power rather than human strength. before Israel
The phrase "before Israel" signifies that the confusion and subsequent victory were witnessed by the Israelites. This not only served to bolster their faith but also demonstrated God's faithfulness to His covenant people. The presence of Israel as a witness to God's mighty acts is a recurring motif in the Bible, emphasizing the importance of remembering and recounting God's deeds to future generations. and He defeated them in a great slaughter at Gibeon
The term "great slaughter" underscores the magnitude of the victory. The Hebrew word for "slaughter" is "makkah," which implies a severe blow or defeat. Gibeon, a significant Canaanite city, becomes the stage for this divine victory. Historically, this event would have had a profound impact on the surrounding nations, showcasing the power of Israel's God. The victory at Gibeon serves as a testament to God's ability to deliver His people against overwhelming odds. chased them along the road to Beth-horon
The "road to Beth-horon" was a strategic route, and the pursuit along this path indicates a relentless and decisive victory. Beth-horon was a significant pass leading from the coastal plain to the hill country, making it a critical location in military campaigns. The chase along this road symbolizes the thoroughness of God's deliverance, ensuring that the enemy could not regroup or retaliate. and struck them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah
The mention of "Azekah and Makkedah" provides geographical context, marking the extent of the victory. Azekah and Makkedah were towns in the Shephelah region, and their inclusion in the narrative highlights the comprehensive nature of the defeat. Archaeological findings in these areas have provided insights into the historical context of the conquest narratives. The striking down of the enemy as far as these locations emphasizes the totality of God's victory, leaving no refuge for the adversaries. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORDThe divine being who intervenes on behalf of Israel, causing confusion among their enemies. 2. IsraelThe nation led by Joshua, chosen by God to inherit the Promised Land. 3. GibeonA significant city where the battle takes place; the Gibeonites had previously made a treaty with Israel. 4. Beth-horonA strategic location on the route of the Israelite pursuit, known for its ascent and descent. 5. Azekah and MakkedahLocations marking the extent of the Israelite victory and pursuit of their enemies. Teaching Points Divine InterventionRecognize that God actively participates in the lives of His people, often in unexpected ways. Trust in His sovereignty and power. Faith and ObedienceIsrael's victory was a result of their faith and obedience to God's commands. We are called to trust and obey God, even when the odds seem against us. God's FaithfulnessThe LORD's actions at Gibeon demonstrate His faithfulness to His promises. Reflect on how God has been faithful in your life. Spiritual WarfareJust as Israel faced physical battles, Christians face spiritual battles. Rely on God's strength and guidance in these struggles. Community and LeadershipJoshua's leadership and the unity of Israel were crucial in their victory. Consider the importance of godly leadership and community in your spiritual journey. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the LORD's intervention in Joshua 10:10 encourage you to trust Him in your current challenges? 2. In what ways can you apply the principle of faith and obedience from this passage to your daily life? 3. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's faithfulness. How does this passage reinforce that experience? 4. What spiritual battles are you currently facing, and how can you rely on God's strength as Israel did? 5. How can you contribute to building a strong, faith-filled community like the one led by Joshua? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 23:27This verse speaks of God sending terror ahead of Israel to confuse their enemies, similar to the confusion caused in Joshua 10:10. Judges 4:15The LORD throws Sisera and his army into confusion, paralleling the divine intervention seen in Joshua 10:10. 1 Samuel 7:10The LORD thunders against the Philistines, causing confusion, which is another instance of God fighting for Israel. Psalm 18:14Describes God scattering enemies with His arrows, reflecting His active role in Israel's battles. Isaiah 28:21Refers to the LORD's unusual work, which can be seen in His miraculous interventions in battles like the one at Gibeon. People Adonizedec, Amorites, Debir, Eglon, Gibeon, Hoham, Horam, Israelites, Japhia, Jasher, Joshua, PiramPlaces Ai, Azekah, Beth-horon, Debir, Eglon, Gaza, Gezer, Gibeon, Gilgal, Hebron, Jarmuth, Jericho, Jerusalem, Kadesh-barnea, Lachish, Libnah, Makkedah, Negeb, Valley of AijalonTopics Along, Ascent, Azekah, Aze'kah, Beth, Bethhoron, Beth-horon, Beth-hor'on, Chased, Confounded, Confused, Confusion, Crush, Cut, Death, Defeated, Discomfited, Driving, Fear, Full, Gibeon, Horon, Killed, Makkedah, Makke'dah, Numbers, Panic, Pursued, Pursueth, Road, Slaughter, Slew, Smiteth, Smiting, Smote, Struck, Threw, VictoryDictionary of Bible Themes Joshua 10:10 5815 confusion Joshua 10:6-10 1320 God, as Saviour Joshua 10:6-14 5608 warfare, strategies Joshua 10:9-10 5214 attack Joshua 10:10-11 5505 roads Library Five Kings in a Cave
TEXT: "And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them. And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against whom ye fight."--Joshua 10:24-25. The history of the …
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas IscariotPraying Saints of the Old Testaments
The Holy Spirit will give to the praying saint the brightness of an immortal hope, the music of a deathless song, in His baptism and communion with the heart, He will give sweeter and more enlarged visions of heaven until the taste for other things will pall, and other visions will grow dim and distant. He will put notes of other worlds in human hearts until all earth's music is discord and songless.--Rev. E. M. Bounds Old Testament history is filled with accounts of praying saints. The leaders of …
Edward M. Bounds—Prayer and Praying Men Gibeon. Josh 10:06
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John Newton—Olney Hymns The Northern Coast of Judea. Beth-Horon.
This coast is marked out Joshua 18:12; where, at verse 14, are very many versions to be corrected, which render the sea; such are, the Syriac, the Seventy, the Vulgar, the Italian, ours, &c.: whence ariseth a sense of insuperable difficulty to a chorographical eye: when it should, indeed, be rendered of the west, as the Chaldee, Arabic, R. Solomon, &c. rightly do. We read of a double Beth-horon in the Old Testament, but one only under the second Temple... At that place that great Canaanitish army …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Subterraneous Places. Mines. Caves.
Thus having taken some notice of the superficies of the land, let us a little search into its bowels. You may divide the subterraneous country into three parts: the metal mines, the caves, and the places of burial. This land was eminently noted for metal mines, so that "its stones," in very many places, "were iron, and out of its hills was digged brass," Deuteronomy 8:9. From these gain accrued to the Jews: but to the Christians, not seldom slavery and misery; being frequently condemned hither by …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Sign Seekers, and the Enthusiast Reproved.
(Galilee on the Same Day as the Last Section.) ^A Matt. XII. 38-45; ^C Luke XI. 24-36. ^c 29 And when the multitudes were gathering together unto him, ^a 38 Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, Teacher, we would see a sign from thee. [Having been severely rebuked by Jesus, it is likely that the scribes and Pharisees asked for a sign that they might appear to the multitude more fair-minded and open to conviction than Jesus had represented them to be. Jesus had just wrought …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Subjects of Study. Home Education in Israel; Female Education. Elementary Schools, Schoolmasters, and School Arrangements.
If a faithful picture of society in ancient Greece or Rome were to be presented to view, it is not easy to believe that even they who now most oppose the Bible could wish their aims success. For this, at any rate, may be asserted, without fear of gainsaying, that no other religion than that of the Bible has proved competent to control an advanced, or even an advancing, state of civilisation. Every other bound has been successively passed and submerged by the rising tide; how deep only the student …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6 Meditations of the True Manner of Practising Piety on the Sabbath-Day.
Almighty God will have himself worshipped, not only in a private manner by private persons and families, but also in a more public sort, of all the godly joined together in a visible church; that by this means he may be known not only to be the God and Lord of every Singular person, but also of the creatures of the whole universal world. Question--But why do not we Christians under the New, keep the Sabbath on the same seventh day on which it was kept under the Old Testament? I answer--Because our …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Divine Support and Protection
[What shall we say then to these things?] If God be for us, who can be against us? T he passions of joy or grief, of admiration or gratitude, are moderate when we are able to find words which fully describe their emotions. When they rise very high, language is too faint to express them; and the person is either lost in silence, or feels something which, after his most laboured efforts, is too big for utterance. We may often observe the Apostle Paul under this difficulty, when attempting to excite …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Joshua
The book of Joshua is the natural complement of the Pentateuch. Moses is dead, but the people are on the verge of the promised land, and the story of early Israel would be incomplete, did it not record the conquest of that land and her establishment upon it. The divine purpose moves restlessly on, until it is accomplished; so "after the death of Moses, Jehovah spake to Joshua," i. 1. The book falls naturally into three divisions: (a) the conquest of Canaan (i.-xii.), (b) the settlement of the …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Joshua 10:10 NIVJoshua 10:10 NLTJoshua 10:10 ESVJoshua 10:10 NASBJoshua 10:10 KJV
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